Centralia, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Centralia is a city in Audrain
and Boone
counties in the U.S. state
of Missouri
. The population was 3,774 at the 2000 census.
The Boone County portion of Centralia (by far the majority of the city) is part of the Columbia
Metropolitan Statistical Area
, while the Audrain County portion is part of the Mexico
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.6 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 3,774 people, 1,505 households, and 1,032 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,492.0 people per square mile (575.9/km²). There were 1,648 housing units at an average density of 651.5 per square mile (251.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.11% White, 1.14% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.21% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.
There were 1,505 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,475, and the median income for a family was $40,671. Males had a median income of $30,399 versus $21,115 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,583. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
s under William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson
. A Union force pursuing the guerrillas was ambushed, and about 150 were killed; some were executed, and some were tortured first. Many of the bodies were mutilated, then stuffed with the remains of rotting cattle bones. The incident came to be known as the Centralia Massacre
.
Audrain County, Missouri
Audrain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 25,529. Its county seat is Mexico. The county was organized in 1836. Audrain County was named for Col. James Hunter Audrain. Col. Audrain was Colonel of militia in the War of 1812. In 1830 Col...
and Boone
Boone County, Missouri
Boone County is a county centrally located in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is the eighth most populous county in Missouri. In 2010, the population was 162,642. Its county seat, Columbia, is the fifth largest city in Missouri and the anchor city of the Columbia Metropolitan Area.-History:Boone...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The population was 3,774 at the 2000 census.
The Boone County portion of Centralia (by far the majority of the city) is part of the Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Area
The Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties—Boone and Howard—in central Missouri, anchored by the city of Columbia...
, while the Audrain County portion is part of the Mexico
Mexico, Missouri
Mexico is a city in Audrain County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,543 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Audrain County. The Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Audrain County...
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Centralia is located at 39°12′35"N 92°8′11"W (39.209657, -92.136300). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.6 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,774 people, 1,505 households, and 1,032 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,492.0 people per square mile (575.9/km²). There were 1,648 housing units at an average density of 651.5 per square mile (251.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.11% White, 1.14% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.21% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.
There were 1,505 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,475, and the median income for a family was $40,671. Males had a median income of $30,399 versus $21,115 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,583. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Education
The Centralia R-IV School District operates four schools: Chance Elementary (grades K-2), Centralia Intermediate (grades 3-5), Chester Boren Middle School (grades 6-8), and Centralia High School (grades 9-12). Centralia Intermediate School is the newest building of the four, having opened for classes in August 2009. It was constructed in order to deal with the district's increasing enrollment. This new technology-rich building contains 15 classrooms, each with 12 computers.History
On September 27, 1864, 22 unarmed Union soldiers returning home on leave were pulled from a train in Centralia and executed by Confederate bushwhackerBushwhacker
Bushwhacking was a form of guerrilla warfare common during the American Revolutionary War, American Civil War and other conflicts in which there are large areas of contested land and few Governmental Resources to control these tracts...
s under William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson
William T. Anderson
William T. "Bloody Bill" Anderson was a pro-Confederate guerrilla leader in the American Civil War.Anderson was known for his brutality towards Union soldiers, and pro Union partisans, who were called Jayhawkers. Anderson participated in Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas on August 21, 1863...
. A Union force pursuing the guerrillas was ambushed, and about 150 were killed; some were executed, and some were tortured first. Many of the bodies were mutilated, then stuffed with the remains of rotting cattle bones. The incident came to be known as the Centralia Massacre
Centralia Massacre (Missouri)
The Centralia Massacre was an incident during the American Civil War in which twenty-four unarmed Union soldiers were captured and executed at Centralia, Missouri on September 27, 1864 by the pro-Confederate guerrilla leader William T. Anderson...
.
Registered Historic Places
The following Centralia locations have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places:- Albert Bishop Chance House and GardensAlbert Bishop Chance House and GardensThe Chance House and Gardens in Centralia, Missouri were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. They were built by Albert Bishop Chance in 1904 in the Queen Anne style. The Garden is open to the public today.-References:...
- ChatolChatolThe Chatol also known as The Chance Guest House in Centralia, Missouri was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The house was listed for its architectural elements in the Moderne and International Styles....
External links
- Centralia Massacre and Battle
- PBS American Experience site
- Historic maps of Centralia in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...