Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Poplar Bluff is a small city in Butler County in Southeast Missouri, United States. It is the county seat of Butler County[8] and is known as "The Gateway to the Ozarks" among other names. The population was 17,023 at the 2010 census.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri
City
Rodgers Theatre Building (Art Deco architecture)
Nickname(s): 
Gateway to the Ozarks, The Bluff, PB
Motto(s): 
A Community of Opportunity
Location of Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Coordinates: 36°45′25″N 90°23′34″W
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountyButler
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorRobert L. Smith[1]
 • Mayor Pro temSteve Davis
 • City ManagerMark Massingham[2]
Area
 • Total13.21 sq mi (34.22 km2)
 • Land13.14 sq mi (34.03 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2)
Elevation361 ft (110 m)
Population
 • Total17,023
 • Estimate 
(2019)[6]
16,937
 • Density1,289.06/sq mi (497.70/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
63901–63902
Area code(s)573
FIPS code29-59096[7]
GNIS feature ID0751712[4]
Websitewww.poplarbluff-mo.gov

The Poplar Bluff Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of all of Butler County. The city is at the crossroads of U.S. Route 60 and U.S. Route 67.

History

The French were the first Europeans to assert any territorial rights over the Poplar Bluff area. The French held the area until 1770 when it was ceded by treaty to Spain. Spain held the area until 1802 when it was returned to France. During this time the area of Poplar Bluff, as well as all of Butler County, held almost no European settlements until 1819, when the first white settler family moved into the Poplar Bluff area. It was reported that about 300 Native Americans resided in the area at that time.

The earliest permanent settlements in what is now Butler County occurred in the early 19th century along the Natchitoches Trail, an old Native American Trail west of what is now Poplar Bluff on Ten Mile Creek and Cane Creek. Butler County was organized in 1849 and Poplar Bluff was chosen as the county seat. In 1855 the first courthouse was built and the town grew.

In 1927 a tornado leveled most of the city, especially the original business district along Main and Broadway streets.[9] The tornado killed 98 people, tying it as the seventheenth deadliest tornado in U.S. history.[10]

Several buildings in Poplar Bluff are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Butler County Courthouse, Cynthia-Kinzer Historic District, Alfred W. Greer House, Hargrove Pivot Bridge, Mark Twain School, J. Herbert Moore House, Thomas Moore House, Moore-Dalton House, North Main Street Historic District, John Archibald Phillips House, Poplar Bluff Commercial Historic District, Poplar Bluff Public Library, Rodgers Theatre Building, South Sixth Street Historic District, St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad Depot, St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad Depot, Wheatley Public School, Williams-Gierth House, Williamson-Kennedy School, Wright-Dalton-Bell-Anchor Department Store Building, and Zehe Building.[11][12][13][14]

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880791—
18902,187176.5%
19004,32197.6%
19106,91660.1%
19208,04216.3%
19307,551−6.1%
194011,16347.8%
195015,06434.9%
196015,9265.7%
197016,6534.6%
198017,1392.9%
199016,996−0.8%
200016,651−2.0%
201017,0232.2%
Est. 201916,937[6]−0.5%
source:[15]

Geography

Poplar Bluff is located along the Black River.[16] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.98 square miles (33.62 km2), of which 12.91 square miles (33.44 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water.[17]

Poplar Bluff takes its name from a bluff that overlooks the Black River. When first settled, the bluff was covered with tulip poplar trees. The Butler County Courthouse and the offices of the city's Daily American Republic newspaper sit on this site. Poplar Bluff lies along an escarpment separating the foothills of the Ozarks from the Mississippi embayment of Southeast Missouri. The foothills lie to the north and west and the embayment is to the south and east. The surrounding area is commonly known as the "Three Rivers" with many local organizations and businesses using the name. The three rivers—Current River, Black River, and St. Francis River—are 40 miles apart with Poplar Bluff located in the center on the Black River.

Climate

Poplar Bluff has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Winters are cool with occasional snowfalls while summers are hot and humid. Rain is abundant year round, but especially in spring and fall. The coldest month is January with a mean of 34.7 and the hottest month, July, has a mean of 80.1. On average, 54 days exceed 90 and two exceed 100. In the winter, an average of 10 days fail to exceed freezing, while on 83, lows dip below freezing on average. The hottest temperature on record is 113 on July 20, 2012 and the lowest temperature was -25 on February 13, 1899.

Climate data for Poplar Bluff 1981-2010, extremes 1893-present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)		 83
(28)		 92
(33)		 94
(34)		 110
(43)		 110
(43)		 113
(45)		 112
(44)		 108
(42)		 96
(36)		 85
(29)		 79
(26)		 113
(45)
Average high °F (°C) 43.6
(6.4)		 49.4
(9.7)		 59.0
(15.0)		 69.7
(20.9)		 78.8
(26.0)		 87.3
(30.7)		 90.3
(32.4)		 89.4
(31.9)		 82.4
(28.0)		 71.2
(21.8)		 58.4
(14.7)		 46.4
(8.0)		 68.8
(20.5)
Average low °F (°C) 25.5
(−3.6)		 29.0
(−1.7)		 37.3
(2.9)		 46.9
(8.3)		 56.7
(13.7)		 66.2
(19.0)		 69.9
(21.1)		 68.2
(20.1)		 59.7
(15.4)		 47.4
(8.6)		 37.6
(3.1)		 28.5
(−1.9)		 47.7
(8.8)
Record low °F (°C) −23
(−31)		 −25
(−32)		 0
(−18)		 23
(−5)		 28
(−2)		 41
(5)		 48
(9)		 44
(7)		 31
(−1)		 17
(−8)		 4
(−16)		 −10
(−23)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.94
(75)		 3.47
(88)		 4.32
(110)		 4.68
(119)		 4.56
(116)		 3.76
(96)		 4.37
(111)		 2.77
(70)		 3.19
(81)		 4.09
(104)		 4.43
(113)		 4.56
(116)		 47.14
(1,199)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 2.1
(5.3)		 1.7
(4.3)		 1.3
(3.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 1.4
(3.6)		 6.5
(16.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 8 6 10 10 11 9 8 7 6 8 10 9 102
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.7 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 2.5
Source: NWS Nowdata for Poplar Bluff

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 17,023 people, 7,181 households, and 4,154 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,318.6 inhabitants per square mile (509.1/km2). There were 8,038 housing units at an average density of 622.6 per square mile (240.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.79% White, 9.97% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.06% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.

There were 7,181 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.9% male and 54.1% female.

2000 census

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 16,651 people, 7,077 households, and 4,295 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,438.9 people per square mile (555.7/km2). There were 7,871 housing units at an average density of 680.2 per square mile (262.7/km2).

The racial makeup of the city was 87.04% Caucasian, 9.71% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 7,870 households, out of which 52.7% were married couples living together, 20.28% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.9.

In the city the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,068, and the median income for a family was $28,744. The per capita income for the city was $13,996. About 19.3% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.4% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
See also: List of mayors of Poplar Bluff, Missouri
The city hall of Poplar Bluff, Missouri
The tallest buildings in Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Wilson and Hillcrest Towers

Poplar Bluff operates under a council–manager form of government. The city manager appoints heads of various city departments and agencies including Airport Director, Art Museum Director, Black River Coliseum Director, Finance, Personnel, Collections Director, Fire Department Chief, City Planner, Police Chief, and Street Superintendent.

Economy

The largest US nail manufacturer, Mid-Continent Steel and Wire, is located in Poplar Bluff.[18] It is one of 15 nail companies in the US, and accounted for half of US nail production as of June 2018.[19] At its peak, the Mexican-owned firm employed about five hundred workers in the area, but as of 2018 uncertainty over steel tariffs threatens the plant's future.[20]

Education

Public schools

The Poplar Bluff R-1 School District serves the educational needs of most of the residents of Poplar Bluff and the surrounding area. There are seven elementary schools, one junior high and one senior high school in the school district.[21] During the 2008–2009 school year, there were 4,934 students and 374 certified staff members enrolled in the Poplar Bluff R-1 School District. The school colors are maroon and white and its mascot is the mule. Athletics offered in the school district include boys' and girls' basketball, soccer, track, cross country, and tennis; boys' baseball, golf, football, and wrestling; and girls' softball, volleyball, cheerleading, and swimming.

Elementary schools

  • Poplar Bluff Early Childhood Center
  • Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center
  • O'Neal Elementary
  • Oak Grove Elementary
  • Lake Road Elementary
  • Eugene Field Elementary
  • Poplar Bluff Middle School

Secondary schools

  • Poplar Bluff Junior High School
  • Poplar Bluff Senior High School
  • Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center

Private schools
  • Sacred Heart Catholic School
  • Thomas M. Lane Seventh-day Adventist Church School
  • Westwood Baptist Academy

Colleges and universities

Three Rivers College is located in Poplar Bluff and provides college courses along with career and technical programs. Three Rivers offers the same freshman and sophomore level classes as many four-year public universities. The school colors are gold and black and its mascot is Rocky Raider. Three Rivers Basketball Coach Gene Bess has been recognized as the NJCAA "all time most winning Junior College coach".[22]

Local News

The Daily American Republic Newspaper[23] is the local news of record for Poplar Bluff with a daily print edition and online news at www.darnews.com

Library

Poplar Bluff has a lending library, the Poplar Bluff Public Library.[24]

Transportation

Amtrak provides passenger train service out of the Poplar Bluff station.

The city is at the crossroads of U.S. Route 60 and U.S. Route 67.

Notable people
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References
  1. "City Council - Poplar Bluff, MO". poplarbluff-mo.gov.
  2. "City Manager - Poplar Bluff, MO". poplarbluff-mo.gov.
  3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  4. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Poplar Bluff, Missouri
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  9. Archived September 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  10. http://ozarks-history.blogspot.com/2019/03/poplar-bluff-tornado.html
  11. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  12. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 7/11/11 through 7/15/11. National Park Service. 2011-07-22.
  13. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 11/05/12 through 11/09/12. National Park Service. 2012-11-16.
  14. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 7/20/15 through 7/24/15. National Park Service. 2015-07-31.
  15. "Missouri Population 1900–1990" (PDF). Missouri Census Data Center. Archived from the original (CSV) on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  16. Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, First edition, 1998, p. 67 ISBN 0899332242
  17. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  18. "Contact Us". Mid-Continent Steel and Wire. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  19. Farley, Donna (2018-06-22). "Poplar Bluff nail manufacturer gets hammered by new tariffs on steel". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  20. "Largest US nail manufacturer 'on the brink of extinction' because of the steel tariffs". CNN. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  21. "Missouri School District Directory: Poplar Bluff R-I". Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  22. "Gene Bess". Raiders Athletics. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  23. Republic, Scott Borkgren ~ Daily American. "Daily American Republic newspaper, Poplar Bluff, Missouri". Daily American Republic. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  24. "Missouri Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  25. Rochlin, Margy (September 27, 1992). "The Prime Time of Linda Bloodworth-Thomason : With Her Husband, Harry, The Unflappable Producer Has Become CBS' Comedy Franchise". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  26. "ICON MEN: Christian Boeving (Shoulders, Biceps & Chest Workout)". TV.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  27. Hook, Guy Yocom,Ben van. "My Shot: Sean Fister | Golf Digest". Golf Digest. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  28. Baker, Greg (January 27, 1993). "The Pioneer of Porn". Miami New Times. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  29. Montieth, Mark. "Ben Hansbrough Begins Proving Himself (Again)". Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  30. "Biography". scottinnes.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  31. Currier, Joel (February 28, 2014). "KTVI's Charles Jaco leaving the news station". St Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  32. "William Timothy Lollar". MLB.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  33. Whiteis, David. "Matt Lucas". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  34. "Julie McCullough". Roof Top Comedy. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  35. "Book excerpt: The rise of Derland Moore". ESPN. August 16, 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  36. "Genre-spanning composer Rouse finds aesthetic in protest". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
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