Stockton, Missouri

Stockton, Missouri
City
Location of Stockton, Missouri
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Cedar
Area
• Total	2.14 sq mi (5.54 km2)
• Land	2.10 sq mi (5.44 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation	948 ft (289 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,819
• Estimate (2012)	1,811
• Density	866.2/sq mi (334.4/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	65785
Area code(s)	417
FIPS code	29-70828
GNIS feature ID	0729969

Stockton is a city in Cedar County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,819 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cedar County.

History

Stockton was platted in 1846. It was originally named Lancaster, but was renamed Fremont in 1847 in honor of John C. Frémont. In 1857 it was renamed again in honor of Robert F. Stockton.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.14 square miles (5.54 km²), of which, 2.10 square miles (5.44 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.

The town and lake are located in the rural foothills of the Ozarks in Southern Missouri, just 45 minutes north of the "Queen City of the Ozarks", Springfield. South Missouri and the town of Stockton are often referred to culturally and geographically by many as "Where the South Begins" because of its laid back southern lifestyle that culturally and geographically seems to have more in common with (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina) than it does the rest of Missouri which carries a more industrial cornbelt feel that is found in the true Midwest. The town is surrounded by rolling hills, rocky terrain, winding rivers, pristine lakes, cattle ranches, and heavily forested woods. Stockton's original settlers came into the area from the coastal Southeast and Deep South regions of the country. This history gives the town and region its own unique flair in fulfilling their role in the extreme cultural and geographical diversity of the "Show-Me-State".

Every fall, thousands of people flock into town to attend the famous Black Walnut Festival on the third weekend of September. The festival celebrates local art, food, music, and businesses; and is an active social scene for the entire county.

On May 4, 2003, a large, destructive tornado severely damaged the city of Stockton. After decimating the historic business district and damaging or destroying over 250 homes the tornado proceeded east through the countryside. The storm also caused the deaths of three Stockton residents and injuries of numerous others. The Stockton tornado began in Barton County, Missouri, near [Liberal, Missouri] and moved north/eastward through Cedar and Polk counties before dissipating east of the Dallas County line. Since then, the city has been working with residents and both federal and state authorities to develop a plan to rebuild the downtown business district and improve upon other public facilities such as a new park and community center. Pierce City, Missouri was also severely damaged by a similar storm in which five residents lost their lives. The city has a similar plan for recovery.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	407		—
1890	508		24.8%
1900	555		9.3%
1910	590		6.3%
1920	696		18.0%
1930	647		−7.0%
1940	801		23.8%
1950	811		1.2%
1960	838		3.3%
1970	1,063		26.8%
1980	1,432		34.7%
1990	1,579		10.3%
2000	1,960		24.1%
2010	1,819		−7.2%
Est. 2014	1,852		1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,819 people, 774 households, and 470 families residing in the city. The population density was 866.2 inhabitants per square mile (334.4/km²). There were 949 housing units at an average density of 451.9 per square mile (174.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.1% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 774 households of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 22% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 43.7 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,960 people, 814 households, and 473 families residing in the city. The population density was 921.7 people per square mile (355.3/km²). There were 968 housing units at an average density of 455.2 per square mile (175.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.66% White, 0.41% African American, 0.51% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.51% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.94% of the population.

There were 814 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,353, and the median income for a family was $34,427. Males had a median income of $22,574 versus $19,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,540. About 7.0% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Emil Liston (1890–1949), basketball coach and administrator, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
• Rep. Ronnie Miller (1996-2004 Two terms in office) a Republican, represented Cedar and Dade counties and part of Lawrence and Greene counties (District 133) in the Missouri House of Representatives.

External links

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

• Cedar County Republican newspaper