Crocker, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Crocker is a city in Pulaski County
, Missouri
, United States
. The population was 1,433 at the 2006 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,033 people, 425 households, and 277 families residing in the city. The population density
was 868.4 people per square mile (335.2/km²). There were 517 housing units at an average density of 434.6 per square mile (167.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.29% African American, 1.36% Native American, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 425 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $35,750. Males had a median income of $26,964 versus $16,141 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,401. About 13.9% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.
serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood
, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville
and St. Robert
and is available for civilian use by private pilots and scheduled commercial passenger service.
The major east-west route is
Interstate 44; before that, the main highway was 
U.S. Route 66, which still exists as a scenic route through the area and passes through Devil's Elbow, St. Robert
, Waynesville
, Buckhorn
, and Hazelgreen
. Names for U.S. Route 66
vary - at different places, it's called Teardrop Road, Highway Z, Old Route 66, Historic Route 66, and Highway 17. State-posted signs mark most of the alignment of the road.
Major north-south routes near Crocker include:
is in Pulaski County
and a high percentage of military personnel live off post in surrounding communities, especially St. Robert
and Waynesville
but also the farther-out cities of Richland
, Crocker, and Dixon
, and the unincorporated communities of Laquey
, Swedeborg
and Devil's Elbow, all of which have a lower housing cost than nearer housing in St. Robert
and Waynesville
. Military personnel assigned to training areas on the south end of the post sometimes choose to live in the unincorporated areas of Big Piney
and Palace in Pulaski County
, or the northern Texas County
communities of Plato
and Roby
.
Seven main school districts are fully or partly within the borders of Pulaski County
, not counting two small districts which are mostly within other counties and only have only a few dozen residents within Pulaski County
. All seven school districts have a high percentage of Fort Leonard Wood
military dependents, and over two-thirds of Waynesville
students fall into that category.
The city of Crocker, along with the surrounding rural areas, is served by the Crocker R-II School District http://www.crocker.k12.mo.us/.
Other school districts serving Pulaski County are the Laquey R-V School District, Richland R-IV School District, Swedeborg R-III School District, and Dixon R-I School District. While located in northern Texas County, the Plato R-V School District serves Pulaski County residents living south of the post.
State law requires cities to hold elections each year regardless of how many people file for office; other boards such as school boards, fire boards and water boards only hold elections if the number of candidates running is not the same as the number to be elected, so water and fire boards often do not hold elections and school boards sometimes do not hold elections.
Crocker has a five-member city council with two wards; all members serve for two-year terms. The mayor is elected in odd-numbered years and the two aldermen from each ward are elected in alternate years. In the April 2011 city election, incumbent Mayor Linda Wilson chose not to run for re-election and was replaced by former Mayor James Morgan, who Wilson defeated two years earlier. Morgan won with 91 votes or 43.6 percent, compared to 71 votes or 34.1 percent for former Alderman Jim Patton and 46 votes or 22 percent for a third candidate, Anita Zimmerman. Ward I Alderman Lorie Layman ran unopposed for re-election and received 81 votes. In Ward II, former alderman Charles Stroburg, who lost his bid for re-election the previous year, was elected with 69 votes or 58 percent, beating Mike Smith with 50 votes or 42 percent.
The Crocker R-II School District has a seven-member board with two members elected most years and three members elected in the third year; the 2011 election was the third year. Two of the three school board incumbents, Tracey Layman Smith and Dawn Kubinski, lost by wide margins, gathering 153 and 222 votes, respectively. The only incumbent to win re-election, Robert Goodrich, came in third with 279 votes, not far ahead of challenger Mark Fancher, who tied with Kubinski to earn 222 votes. The highest vote-getter was Bob Boulware, who retired as superintendent of the Laquey R-V School District but had previously served for many years as district administrator of Crocker’s neighboring school, the Swedeborg R-III School District. Boulware received 368 votes, not far ahead of Donald Mayhew with 358 votes, the former Pulaski County Surveyor who served as school board president until he lost a bid for re-election last year.
Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1833 and named for Kazimierz Pułaski, Polish patriot who died fighting in the American Revolution. As of 2010, the population was 52,274, an increase of 27% from the 2000 Census count of 41,165. Its...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,433 at the 2006 census.
Geography
Crocker is located at 37°56′58"N 92°15′56"W (37.949542, -92.265660).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all of it 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 1,033 people, 425 households, and 277 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 868.4 people per square mile (335.2/km²). There were 517 housing units at an average density of 434.6 per square mile (167.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.29% African American, 1.36% Native American, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 0.10% 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 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 425 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% 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, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $35,750. Males had a median income of $26,964 versus $16,141 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 $13,401. About 13.9% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney FieldWaynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field
Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport , also known as Forney Field, is a public and military use airport located at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The airport's passenger terminal is operated under the control of the U.S. Army and general aviation is under the...
serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood (military base)
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of St. Robert. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff, in January 1941...
, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville
Waynesville, Missouri
-Registered historic places:* Old Stagecoach Stop * Pulaski County Courthouse-Transportation:Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St...
and St. Robert
St. Robert, Missouri
St. Robert is a city in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. It is a gateway community to the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Fort Leonard Wood. It is named after the local Catholic parish, whose patron saint was an...
and is available for civilian use by private pilots and scheduled commercial passenger service.
The major east-west route is
Interstate 44; before that, the main highway was U.S. Route 66, which still exists as a scenic route through the area and passes through Devil's Elbow, St. RobertSt. Robert, Missouri
St. Robert is a city in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. It is a gateway community to the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Fort Leonard Wood. It is named after the local Catholic parish, whose patron saint was an...
, Waynesville
Waynesville, Missouri
-Registered historic places:* Old Stagecoach Stop * Pulaski County Courthouse-Transportation:Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St...
, Buckhorn
Buckhorn, Missouri
Buckhorn, Missouri is a former community on Route 17 at its junction with Interstate 44 in Pulaski County. It is also on historic U.S. Route 66. In 2003, it was annexed by nearby Waynesville...
, and Hazelgreen
Hazelgreen, Missouri
Hazelgreen is an unincorporated community in eastern Laclede County, Missouri, United States. It lies along historic U.S. Route 66, now an outer road of Interstate 44. The town is split by I-44, just west of the 145 exit...
. Names for U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
vary - at different places, it's called Teardrop Road, Highway Z, Old Route 66, Historic Route 66, and Highway 17. State-posted signs mark most of the alignment of the road.
Major north-south routes near Crocker include:
-
Route 133 runs north from Interstate 44Interstate 44Interstate 44 is a major highway in the central United States. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, Texas at a concurrency with US 277, US 281 and US 287; its eastern terminus is at the Illinois state line on the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St...
exit 145 about two miles east of HazelgreenHazelgreen, MissouriHazelgreen is an unincorporated community in eastern Laclede County, Missouri, United States. It lies along historic U.S. Route 66, now an outer road of Interstate 44. The town is split by I-44, just west of the 145 exit...
to RichlandRichland, MissouriRichland is a city in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 1,805 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richland is located at ....
, SwedeborgSwedeborg, MissouriSwedeborg is an unincorporated community in northwestern Pulaski County, Missouri. It is about five miles northeast of Richland on Route 133.Swedeborg was a Swedish immigrant settlement on the railroad road between Crocker and Richland...
, Crocker, and about two miles west of DixonDixon, MissouriDixon is a city in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,570 at the 2000 census. Dixon, MO is the hometown of NBA Basketball Player John Brown and State Representative David A...
, then north out of the county.
-
Route 17 crosses Interstate 44Interstate 44Interstate 44 is a major highway in the central United States. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, Texas at a concurrency with US 277, US 281 and US 287; its eastern terminus is at the Illinois state line on the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St...
at exit 153 at BuckhornBuckhorn, MissouriBuckhorn, Missouri is a former community on Route 17 at its junction with Interstate 44 in Pulaski County. It is also on historic U.S. Route 66. In 2003, it was annexed by nearby Waynesville...
, runs east through WaynesvilleWaynesville, Missouri-Registered historic places:* Old Stagecoach Stop * Pulaski County Courthouse-Transportation:Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St...
, turns north to Crocker, and then runs north out of the county to Iberia. South of Interstate 44Interstate 44Interstate 44 is a major highway in the central United States. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, Texas at a concurrency with US 277, US 281 and US 287; its eastern terminus is at the Illinois state line on the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St...
, Highway 17 hugs the western edge of Fort Leonard Wood, passes near LaqueyLaquey, MissouriLaquey is an unincorporated community in Pulaski County, Missouri. It is about six miles southwest of Waynesville. It was founded in 1900 and named for the Laquey family.The community has a school, post office and zip code...
, and circles south of the post until it runs out of the county and eventually joins Highway 32 in RobyRoby, MissouriRoby is an unincorporated community in northwestern Texas County, Missouri, United States. It is located about sixteen miles northwest of Houston and ten miles south of Fort Leonard Wood at the northern junction of Routes 17 and 32...
.
-
Highway T runs north from Highway 17 at WaynesvilleWaynesville, Missouri-Registered historic places:* Old Stagecoach Stop * Pulaski County Courthouse-Transportation:Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St...
to SwedeborgSwedeborg, MissouriSwedeborg is an unincorporated community in northwestern Pulaski County, Missouri. It is about five miles northeast of Richland on Route 133.Swedeborg was a Swedish immigrant settlement on the railroad road between Crocker and Richland...
, where it meets and ends at Highway 133 about halfway between RichlandRichland, MissouriRichland is a city in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 1,805 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richland is located at ....
and Crocker.
School Districts
Fort Leonard WoodFort Leonard Wood (military base)
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of St. Robert. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff, in January 1941...
is in Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1833 and named for Kazimierz Pułaski, Polish patriot who died fighting in the American Revolution. As of 2010, the population was 52,274, an increase of 27% from the 2000 Census count of 41,165. Its...
and a high percentage of military personnel live off post in surrounding communities, especially St. Robert
St. Robert, Missouri
St. Robert is a city in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. It is a gateway community to the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Fort Leonard Wood. It is named after the local Catholic parish, whose patron saint was an...
and Waynesville
Waynesville, Missouri
-Registered historic places:* Old Stagecoach Stop * Pulaski County Courthouse-Transportation:Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St...
but also the farther-out cities of Richland
Richland, Missouri
Richland is a city in Camden, Laclede, and Pulaski counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 1,805 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richland is located at ....
, Crocker, and Dixon
Dixon, Missouri
Dixon is a city in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,570 at the 2000 census. Dixon, MO is the hometown of NBA Basketball Player John Brown and State Representative David A...
, and the unincorporated communities of Laquey
Laquey, Missouri
Laquey is an unincorporated community in Pulaski County, Missouri. It is about six miles southwest of Waynesville. It was founded in 1900 and named for the Laquey family.The community has a school, post office and zip code...
, Swedeborg
Swedeborg, Missouri
Swedeborg is an unincorporated community in northwestern Pulaski County, Missouri. It is about five miles northeast of Richland on Route 133.Swedeborg was a Swedish immigrant settlement on the railroad road between Crocker and Richland...
and Devil's Elbow, all of which have a lower housing cost than nearer housing in St. Robert
St. Robert, Missouri
St. Robert is a city in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. It is a gateway community to the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Fort Leonard Wood. It is named after the local Catholic parish, whose patron saint was an...
and Waynesville
Waynesville, Missouri
-Registered historic places:* Old Stagecoach Stop * Pulaski County Courthouse-Transportation:Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service; even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St...
. Military personnel assigned to training areas on the south end of the post sometimes choose to live in the unincorporated areas of Big Piney
Big Piney, Missouri
Big Piney is an unincorporated community in Pulaski County, Missouri on the southeastern edge of Fort Leonard Wood and sixteen miles northwest of Licking...
and Palace in Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1833 and named for Kazimierz Pułaski, Polish patriot who died fighting in the American Revolution. As of 2010, the population was 52,274, an increase of 27% from the 2000 Census count of 41,165. Its...
, or the northern Texas County
Texas County, Missouri
Texas County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 26,008. It's county seat is Houston. The county was organized in 1843 as Ashley County, changing its name in 1845 to Texas, after the Republic of Texas. The 2010 U.S...
communities of Plato
Plato, Missouri
Plato is an incorporated village in northwestern Texas County, Missouri, United States. It is located about twenty miles northwest of Houston, Missouri and ten miles south of Fort Leonard Wood on Route 32. Plato had an estimated population of 1,430 in 2000....
and Roby
Roby, Missouri
Roby is an unincorporated community in northwestern Texas County, Missouri, United States. It is located about sixteen miles northwest of Houston and ten miles south of Fort Leonard Wood at the northern junction of Routes 17 and 32...
.
Seven main school districts are fully or partly within the borders of Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1833 and named for Kazimierz Pułaski, Polish patriot who died fighting in the American Revolution. As of 2010, the population was 52,274, an increase of 27% from the 2000 Census count of 41,165. Its...
, not counting two small districts which are mostly within other counties and only have only a few dozen residents within Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1833 and named for Kazimierz Pułaski, Polish patriot who died fighting in the American Revolution. As of 2010, the population was 52,274, an increase of 27% from the 2000 Census count of 41,165. Its...
. All seven school districts have a high percentage of Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood (military base)
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army installation located in the Missouri Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of St. Robert. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff, in January 1941...
military dependents, and over two-thirds of Waynesville
Waynesville School District
The Waynesville RVI Reorganized School District is a school district in the Missouri Ozarks and the largest school district in Pulaski County. The school district current provides education services to the communities of Fort Leonard Wood, St...
students fall into that category.
The city of Crocker, along with the surrounding rural areas, is served by the Crocker R-II School District http://www.crocker.k12.mo.us/.
Other school districts serving Pulaski County are the Laquey R-V School District, Richland R-IV School District, Swedeborg R-III School District, and Dixon R-I School District. While located in northern Texas County, the Plato R-V School District serves Pulaski County residents living south of the post.
Politics
The Crocker area has four elected governing bodies, each of which is independent of each other: the city of Crocker, the Crocker R-II School District, the Crocker Rural Fire Protection District, and Pulaski County Water Supply District No. 2.State law requires cities to hold elections each year regardless of how many people file for office; other boards such as school boards, fire boards and water boards only hold elections if the number of candidates running is not the same as the number to be elected, so water and fire boards often do not hold elections and school boards sometimes do not hold elections.
Crocker has a five-member city council with two wards; all members serve for two-year terms. The mayor is elected in odd-numbered years and the two aldermen from each ward are elected in alternate years. In the April 2011 city election, incumbent Mayor Linda Wilson chose not to run for re-election and was replaced by former Mayor James Morgan, who Wilson defeated two years earlier. Morgan won with 91 votes or 43.6 percent, compared to 71 votes or 34.1 percent for former Alderman Jim Patton and 46 votes or 22 percent for a third candidate, Anita Zimmerman. Ward I Alderman Lorie Layman ran unopposed for re-election and received 81 votes. In Ward II, former alderman Charles Stroburg, who lost his bid for re-election the previous year, was elected with 69 votes or 58 percent, beating Mike Smith with 50 votes or 42 percent.
| Office | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Jim Morgan |
| Ward I - term ends 2012 | Jeff Curry |
| Ward I - term ends 2013 | Lorie Layman |
| Ward II - term ends 2012 | Denise York |
| Ward II - term ends 2013 | Charles Stroburg |
The Crocker R-II School District has a seven-member board with two members elected most years and three members elected in the third year; the 2011 election was the third year. Two of the three school board incumbents, Tracey Layman Smith and Dawn Kubinski, lost by wide margins, gathering 153 and 222 votes, respectively. The only incumbent to win re-election, Robert Goodrich, came in third with 279 votes, not far ahead of challenger Mark Fancher, who tied with Kubinski to earn 222 votes. The highest vote-getter was Bob Boulware, who retired as superintendent of the Laquey R-V School District but had previously served for many years as district administrator of Crocker’s neighboring school, the Swedeborg R-III School District. Boulware received 368 votes, not far ahead of Donald Mayhew with 358 votes, the former Pulaski County Surveyor who served as school board president until he lost a bid for re-election last year.
| Term Ends | Incumbents |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Rebecca Posten, John Riffe |
| 2013 | Kris York, Mark Sasfy |
| 2014 | Bob Boulware, Don Mayhew, Robert Goodrich |
External links
- Crocker Missouri Website
- Historic maps of Crocker 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...