Princeton, Missouri

Princeton is the county seat and largest city of Mercer County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,166 at the 2010 census, up from the 2000 census, which counted 1,047 people. Princeton, Missouri was also the birthplace of the famous Calamity Jane.

Princeton, Missouri
City
Mercer County Courthouse and downtown
Location of Princeton, Missouri
Coordinates: 40°23′56″N 93°35′9″W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Mercer
Area [1]
• Total	1.60 sq mi (4.15 km^2)
• Land	1.59 sq mi (4.12 km^2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km^2)
Elevation	961 ft (293 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	1,166
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	1,099
• Density	691.63/sq mi (267.07/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	64673
Area code(s)	660
FIPS code	29-59942[4]
GNIS feature ID	0724937[5]

Geography

Princeton is located at 40°23′56″N 93°35′9″W (40.398794, -93.585807).[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.60 square miles (4.14 km²), of which 1.59 square miles (4.12 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.[7]

History

Princeton, Missouri historical marker

Princeton was platted in 1846.[8] The city was named in commemoration of the Battle of Princeton in the American Revolutionary War.[9] A post office has been in operation at Princeton since 1846.[10]

The Herbert Cain and Corah Brantley Casteel House and Leo Ellis Post No. 22, American Legion Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	249		—
1870	389		56.2%
1880	1,240		218.8%
1890	1,410		13.7%
1900	1,575		11.7%
1910	1,385		−12.1%
1920	1,576		13.8%
1930	1,509		−4.3%
1940	1,584		5.0%
1950	1,506		−4.9%
1960	1,443		−4.2%
1970	1,328		−8.0%
1980	1,264		−4.8%
1990	1,021		−19.2%
2000	1,047		2.5%
2010	1,166		11.4%
Est. 2019	1,099	[3]	−5.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,166 people, 525 households, and 282 families living in the city. The population density was 733.3 inhabitants per square mile (283.1/km²). There were 632 housing units at an average density of 397.5 per square mile (153.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 525 households, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.3% were non-families. 41.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 40.3 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 20.8% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,047 people, 499 households, and 271 families living in the city. The population density was 660.5 people per square mile (254.2/km²). There were 566 housing units at an average density of 357.0 per square mile (137.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.85% White, 0.10% African American, 0.67% Native American, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.

There were 499 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 42.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 30.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,059, and the median income for a family was $39,125. Males had a median income of $29,583 versus $19,327 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,485. About 14.3% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Princeton is home to the Princeton R-V School District which consists of an elementary school (K-6), a junior high school (grades 7-8) and Princeton High School (grades 9-12).

Princeton has a public library, the Mercer County Library.[12]

Notable people

• Calamity Jane, also known as Martha Jane Cannary (or Canary) Burke (May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903) born in Princeton, Missouri.
• Ira B. Hyde , U.S. Congressman 1873–1875.
• Arthur M. Hyde, governor and U.S. Cabinet Secretary.
• Laurance M. Hyde, jurist.
• Russ Derry, MLB baseball player.[13]
• Christopher Langan, a man who has been described as "the smartest man in America" by the media.

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
8. "Mercer County Place Names, 1928–1945". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
9. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 194.
10. "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. "Missouri Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/derryru01.shtml

External links

• Historic maps of Princeton in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri