Republic is a city in

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

and Greene counties in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') 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 border ...

. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 18,750. In 2019, its population was 16,938, making it the second largest city in Greene County in the

. It is also the fourth largest city in the

Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the List of cities in Missouri, third most populous city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County, Missouri, Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 censu ...

, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Early settlement in southwest Greene County centered on the community of Little York. When the

Atlantic & Pacific Railroad The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad was an American railroad that owned or operated two individual segments of track. One connected St. Louis, Missouri, with Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the other connected Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Needles, Californi ...

built a line through the area in the early 1870s, Little York was not on the route. Settlement moved two miles away to Brookline which was on the rail line's route. Another group of settlers decided to take up residency at another area along the tracks just four miles southwest of Brookline. This village eventually became known as Republic, and was incorporated in 1871 While the railroad did go through Republic, there initially was no switch or depot located in the city. A public subscription of $1000 raised the funds to build a depot in the city. Subsequent growth is attributed to the depot's completion.

Consolidation with Village of Brookline

In 2005, the cities of Republic and Brookline consolidated as Missouri State laws allow after a vote of the residents of both communities approved the consolidation with Republic taking over all aspects of city government. Originally, Brookline was to retain its own identity, but the city limit signs have since been changed to Republic's. However, according to Section I (b) of the Intergovernmental Agreement:

"Name of Consolidated Municipality - The name of the consolidated municipality shall be "City of Republic." To help preserve the identity of the Village, the City will place signs with text “Village of Brookline” at the current corporate limits of the Village. Placement of signage is subject to State sign regulations when placed in State right-of-way. The City of Republic will work with the United States Postal Service to help preserve the history and operation of the Brookline Station Post Office.

While the Village of Brookline no longer exists as an independent, incorporated community, the post office and associated ZIP Code of 65619 remain in operation. In addition,

BNSF Railway BNSF Railway is the largest freight railroad in the United States. One of six North American Class I railroads, BNSF has 36,000 employees, of track in 28 states, and over 8,000 locomotives. It has three Transcontinental railroad, transcontine ...

continues to designate Brookline as a station point on its network map and system timetables.

Geography

Republic is located at (37.121652, -93.471440). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Most of the city lies in Greene County, and the other is in Christian County.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 18,750 people, 6,594 households, and 4,620 families in Republic. The population density was 1,172.6 per square mile (452.9/km). There were 6,762 housing units at an average density of 422.9 per square mile (163.3/km). The racial makeup was 87.88% (16,478)

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 1.31% (245) black or African-American, 0.61% (114) Native American, 0.81% (152) Asian, 0.04% (7)

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 1.16% (218) from other races, and 8.19% (1,536) from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race was 3.9% (644) of the population. Of the 6,594 households, 40.4% had children under the age of 18; 44.4% were married couples living together; 24.8% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 21.9% consisted of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9. 27.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 13.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 85.9 males. The 2016-2020 5-year

American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual demographics survey program conducted by the United States Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the United States census, decennial census ...

estimates show that the median household income was $55,322 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,127) and the median family income was $63,293 (+/- $6,110). Males had a median income of $41,439 (+/- $2,785) versus $26,164 (+/- $2,835) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,497 (+/- $3,661). Approximately, 13.4% of families and 14.8% 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 ...

, including 18.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.7% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 14,751 people, 5,516 households, and 3,999 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), 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 geog ...

was . There were 6,139 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.6%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 0.7%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population. There were 5,516 households, of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age in the city was 32.2 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.9% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64; and 10.7% 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

of 2000, there were 8,438 people, 3,148 households, and 2,379 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 3,298 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.43%

, 0.24%

, 0.56% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02%

, 0.24% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population. There were 3,148 households, out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were

living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04. In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $34,611, and the median income for a family was $37,622. Males had a median income of $30,849 versus $21,725 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $15,212. About 5.8% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the

, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Republic is located on U.S. Highway 60. Through the city limits, U.S. 60 runs concurrent with Missouri Route 413. Interstate 44 skirts the northern city limits. Missouri Route 360 (future Interstate 244), also known as James River Freeway, begins at an interchange with I-44 north of the city limit and heads east to the U.S. 60 interchange. From here, eastward, the freeway takes on the U.S. 60 designation. The city is served by BNSF Railway, formerly the Burlington Northern Railroad. The railroad's Cherokee Subdivision runs through the community on its route between Tulsa, Oklahoma and Memphis, Tennessee. When combined with other subdivisions, this route makes up an important corridor linking California with Birmingham and Atlanta. Primary commodities carried on trains include freight and intermodal shipments. Passenger trains stopped running through the community in 1967.

Education

Primary and secondary education

Republic is part of Republic School District. The district has the following schools: * Republic High School * Republic Middle School * Lyon Elementary * McCulloch Elementary * Price Elementary * Schofield Elementary * Sweeny Elementary * Republic Early Childhood Center There are school sports and other activities available for middle and high school students, including football, volleyball, band, choir, academic and specialty clubs, and robotics.

Controversies

On July 25, 2011, the school board elected to ban two books from the school library. ''Twenty Boy Summer'' by Sarah Ockler and ''

Slaughterhouse-Five ''Slaughterhouse-Five, or, The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death'' is a 1969 semi-autobiographic science fiction-infused anti-war novel by Kurt Vonnegut. It follows the life experiences of Billy Pilgrim, from his early years, to his ...

'' by

Kurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut ( ; November 11, 1922 – April 11, 2007) was an American author known for his Satire, satirical and darkly humorous novels. His published work includes fourteen novels, three short-story collections, five plays, and five nonfict ...

were slated for removal in deference to a complaint by a local resident, a professor at

Missouri State University Missouri State University (MSU or MO State), formerly Southwest Missouri State University, is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, it is the state's second-largest u ...

whose own children are homeschooled. The resident claimed the contents of the book are profane and violate the teachings of the

Bible The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...

. The books were removed on grounds of violating the board's guidelines on book content.

Higher education

Ozarks Technical Community College opened its Republic Center in August 2020. The center serves as a satellite campus offering multiple degree programs to Republic and the surrounding communities.

Notable people

* Charles Harrison Brown, two-term U.S. representative from Missouri's 7th congressional district from 1957–1961. * Ross Carter,

American football American football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada and also known as gridiron football, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular American football field, field with goalposts at e ...

player * Lester E. Cox, businessman, namesake of CoxHealth * Stephen R. Bough,

Federal Judge Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state/provincial/local level. United States A U.S. federal judge is appointed by the U.S. president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in accordance with Arti ...

Western District of Missouri

References

External links

City of Republic

Republic Mo News
local newspaper
Republic School District
* Historic maps of Republic in th
Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection
at the

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Univers ...

{{authority control Populated places established in 2005 Cities in Christian County, Missouri Cities in Greene County, Missouri Springfield metropolitan area, Missouri Cities in Missouri