Macks Creek is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

and

census-designated place A census-designated place (CDP) is a concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only. CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counterparts of incorporated places, such ...

in southwest Camden County,

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

, United States. The population was 244 at the 2010 census.

History

A post office called Macks Creek has been in operation since 1872. The community takes its name from a nearby creek of the same name, which most likely was named after the local Mack or Hack family. In 1997, a state audit of Macks Creek's treasury uncovered major financial woes. Shortly afterward, virtually every town official resigned from office and the city itself declared bankruptcy. In 2012, voters approved dissolving the town with 69% in favor of the motion; above the required amount of 60%.

Speed trap designation

For years, Macks Creek had one of the most infamous

speed trap Speed limits are enforced on most public roadways by authorities, with the purpose to improve driver compliance with speed limits. Methods used include roadside speed traps set up and operated by the police and automated roadside 'speed camera' ...

s in the nation, with a strictly enforced 45 MPH speed limit along

US 54 U.S. Route 54 (US 54) is an east–west United States Highway that runs northeast–southwest for from El Paso, Texas, to Griggsville, Illinois. The Union Pacific Railroad's Tucumcari Line (former Southern Pacific and Rock Island Lines "Golden ...

, which had a 55 MPH speed limit on either side of town. In 1995, this practice ended when the state of

passed a law prohibiting cities and towns from collecting more than 45% of their total revenue from speeding tickets. Macks Creek reportedly had been collecting approximately 85% of its revenue from speeding tickets. The police department later resigned as well as the mayor. In May of 2022,

Reason magazine ''Reason'' is an American libertarian monthly magazine published by the Reason Foundation. The magazine has a circulation of around 50,000 and was named one of the 50 best magazines in 2003 and 2004 by the ''Chicago Tribune''. History ''Reas ...

reported that, "If a small town has a law named after it, it's probably not for a good reason. Such was the case with Macks Creek, an obnoxious speed trap that inspired the Missouri legislature to pass the Macks Creek Law in 1995. This bill capped the percentage of annual revenue that towns could generate from ticket fines at 45 percent."

Geography

Macks Creek is located on Macks Creek and

U.S. Route 54 U.S. Route 54 (US 54) is an east–west United States Highway that runs northeast–southwest for from El Paso, Texas, to Griggsville, Illinois. The Union Pacific Railroad's Tucumcari Line (former Southern Pacific Railroad, Southern Pacific and ...

, twelve miles west of Camdenton and twelve miles east of Preston.''Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer,'' DeLorme, 1998, First edition, p. 44, According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses incl ...

of 2010, there were 244 people, 102 households, and 63 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...

was . There were 132 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.1%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

, 0.4% from

other races Other often refers to: * Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy Other or The Other may also refer to: Film and television * ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack * ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...

, and 2.5% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

of any race were 2.5% of the population. There were 102 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age in the city was 37.5 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 267 people, 109 households, and 68 families living in the city. The

was 285.2 people per square mile (109.7/km²). There were 129 housing units at an average density of 137.9 per square mile (53.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.38%

, and 2.62% from two or more races.

of any race were 0.37% of the population. There were 109 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were

living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.0% 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 3.17. In the city the population was spread out, with 31.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males. The median income for a household in the city was $21,875, and the median income for a family was $24,643. Males had a median income of $25,893 versus $13,125 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the city was $9,053. About 13.6% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including 20.2% of those under the age of eighteen and 24.1% of those 65 or over.

Education

Macks Creek R-V School District operates one elementary school and Macks Creek High School. Macks Creek has a

public library A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants. There are ...

, a branch of the Camden County Library District.

References

{{Missouri 17) https://www.stltoday.com/news/speed-trap-law-is-full-of-loopholes-macks-creek-the-town-that-inspired-measure-has/article_cdc4e8c1-4243-5d2b-96c3-487bda8bb60b.html Census-designated places in Camden County, Missouri Populated places disestablished in 2012 Former villages in Missouri