Waynesville is a city in and the county seat of
Pulaski County,
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 ...
, United States.
Its population was 5,406 at the
2020 census. Located in the
Missouri Ozarks, it was once served by
Route 66
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) is one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The high ...
.
History
Waynesville was
plat
In the United States, a plat ( or ) (plan) is a cadastral map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. United States General Land Office surveyors drafted township plats of Public Lands Survey System, Public Lands Surveys to ...
ted in 1839. The city was named for
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne (January 1, 1745 – December 15, 1796) was an American soldier, officer, statesman, and a Founding Father of the United States. He adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military expl ...
. The post office in Waynesville has been in operation since 1834.
During the American Civil War, units of the 5th
Missouri State Militia were sometimes garrisoned at Waynesville.
Geography
Waynesville is located on
Roubidoux Creek, approximately south of the
Gasconade River
The Gasconade River is about longU.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, accessed May 31, 2011 and is located in central and south-central Missouri.
The Gasconade River begins in the O ...
. The northern boundary of
Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army, U.S. Army training installation located in the Missouri The Ozarks, Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of the city of St. Robert, Missouri, St. Robert. The post was created in De ...
is about to the south. The
Roubidoux Spring, 15th largest in the state, is located in the city limits. The Roubidoux Spring was also a stop on the infamous
Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears was the forced displacement of about 60,000 people of the " Five Civilized Tribes" between 1830 and 1850, and the additional thousands of Native Americans and their black slaves within that were ethnically cleansed by the U ...
.
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.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010
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 ...
,
there were 4,830 people, 1,894 households, and 1,252 families residing 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 2,088 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the city was 73.6%
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 ...
, 12.4%
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 ...
, 1.1%
Native American, 3.4%
Asian, 0.5%
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 ...
, 2.5% from
other races and 6.5% 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 were 8.1% of the population.
There were 1,894 households, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% 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, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present and 33.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age was 32.6 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24;, 30.6% were from 25 to 44, 21.2% were from 45 to 64 and 11.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender make-up of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census,
there were 3,507 people, 1,428 households and 922 families residing 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 1,591 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the city was 79.70%
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 ...
, 10.98%
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 ...
, 0.94%
Native American, 2.88%
Asian, 0.11%
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 ...
, 1.43% from
other races and 3.96% 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 were 3.11% of the population.
There were 1,428 households, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% 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, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.93.
27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
The
median household income
The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways of und ...
was $41,250 and the median family income was $46,205. Males had a median income of $31,435 and females $23,640. 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 ...
was $19,117. About 9.5% of families and 11.3% 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 ...
, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Climate
Waynesville experiences a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...
(
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
''Cfa''), as does much of southern
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 ...
.
Government
Waynesville is classified a 3rd Class City with an elected mayor and city council.
Sean A. Wilson currently holds the office of Mayor. The current city council members are Rob Rice and Bill Farnham (Ward 1), Donald Hayden and Ryan Hicks (Ward 2), Ryan Bland and Trudy Dils (Ward 3), and Amanda Koren and Robert Hyatt (Ward 4). John Doyle is the City Administrator, and Michele Brown is the City Clerk.
Education
Almost all of Waynesville is in
Waynesville R-VI School District. A small portion is in
Laquey R-V School District.
Waynesville Schools include Williams Early Childhood Development Center (Pre-K - Kindergarten), Wood Elementary (K-5), Pick Elementary (K-5), East Elementary (K-5), Freedom Elementary (K-5), Waynesville Sixth Grade Center (6th), Waynesville Middle School (7 & 8), and Waynesville High School (9-12).
Waynesville has a
public library
A public library is a library, most often a lending 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 servic ...
, a branch of the Pulaski County Library District.
Registered historic places
*
Old Stagecoach Stop (also known as "Black Hotel" or "Pulaski House")
*
Pulaski County Courthouse
Transportation
Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community with air service. Even though it is on
Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army, U.S. Army training installation located in the Missouri The Ozarks, Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of the city of St. Robert, Missouri, St. Robert. The post was created in De ...
, 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
Interstate 44 (I-44) is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Although it is nominally an east–west road as it is even-numbered, it follows a more southwest–northeast alignment. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, T ...
; before that, the main highway was ''
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) is one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The high ...
'', 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
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) is one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The high ...
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.
The major north–south routes near Waynesville are:
*
Route 17 which crosses
Interstate 44
Interstate 44 (I-44) is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Although it is nominally an east–west road as it is even-numbered, it follows a more southwest–northeast alignment. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, T ...
at exit 153 at
Buckhorn, runs east through Waynesville, turns north to
Crocker, and then runs north out of the county to Iberia. South of
Interstate 44
Interstate 44 (I-44) is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Although it is nominally an east–west road as it is even-numbered, it follows a more southwest–northeast alignment. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, T ...
,
Highway 17 hugs the western edge of Fort Leonard Wood, passes near
Laquey, and circles south of the post until it runs out of the county and eventually joins
Highway 32
The following highways are numbered 32:
International
* Asian Highway 32
* European route E32
Australia
* Great Western Highway
* Barrier Highway
* East Derwent Highway
* Mitchell Highway
Canada
* Alberta Highway 32
* Manitoba Highway 3 ...
in
Roby.
*
Highway T which runs north from
Highway 17 at Waynesville to
Swedeborg, where it meets and ends at
Highway 133 about halfway between
Richland and
Crocker.
Major attractions along
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) is one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The high ...
include the Old Stagecoach Stop in downtown Waynesville, which is now a museum but began as a tavern and boarding house and is the oldest standing structure in the county. It was used as a Civil War hospital for Union troops who were garrisoned above the city in Fort Wayne, which was demolished after the war. The Old Courthouse Museum in downtown Waynesville is near the Old Stagecoach Stop.
The City Of Waynesville does not provide any public transportation (such as buses or shuttles).
Media
KFBD-FM
KFBD-FM (97.9 FM) is a radio station licensed to Waynesville, Missouri, United States. The station is currently owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC.
KFBD-FM and its AM sister station, KJPW, are the dominant news ra ...
and its AM sister station,
KJPW
KJPW (1390 AM broadcasting, AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Talk radio, news talk information format. Licensed to Waynesville, Missouri, United States, the station is currently owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee L ...
, are the dominant news radio providers in the Pulaski County area, which includes Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville and St. Robert. These stations compete with the only other station broadcasting from Pulaski County,
KFLW Radio, previously owned by the ''Lebanon Daily Record'' and working locally from the St. Robert offices of the ''Pulaski County Mirror'' weekly newspaper.
The ''Pulaski County Daily News'' online newspaper is privately owned by a Waynesville resident.
The ''Pulaski County Insider'' is run and maintained by a businessman from St. Robert and hosted by a
Potosi resident.
The county's weekly paper, ''the Dixon Pilot'', does not routinely cover Waynesville.
Pulaski County historically had one daily and three weekly print newspapers, as well as an online internet daily newspaper. All but the weekly Dixon Pilot and the online Pulaski County Daily News are now closed. The county also has an internet discussion site, the Pulaski County Insider.
The Daily Guide, commonly known as the Waynesville Daily Guide, but based in St. Robert and serving the entire county, closed in September 2018. It was owned by GateHouse Media and was the central printing plant for three other GateHouse newspapers in nearby counties, the daily Camden Lake Sun Leader and Rolla Daily News as well as the weekly St. James Leader-Journal. The Rolla Daily News and the St. James weekly have since closed as well.
The content of the now-closed weekly Fort Leonard Wood Guidon was previously produced under the auspices of Army Public Affairs at Fort Leonard Wood but printed under contract by the Springfield News-Leader, a Gannett-owned newspaper which produced and sold advertisements in the Fort Leonard Wood Guidon. The military contract to produce the Guidon was held by the Lebanon Daily Record until the end of 2002, and before the Lebanon Daily Record had been held by the Waynesville Daily Guide for many years.
The weekly Pulaski County Mirror closed in February 2017 and had been owned by the Lebanon Daily Record, a family owned newspaper in an adjoining county. The paper is a merger of the Richland Mirror and Pulaski County Democrat in St. Robert, which were separate weekly papers owned by the Lebanon Daily Record until their owner merged them in 2009.
References
External links
*
{{authority control
Cities in Pulaski County, Missouri
County seats in Missouri
Cities in Missouri