Springfield, Missouri

Geography Springfield is located at 37°11'42" North, 93°17'10" West (37.195098, -93.286213)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 191.1 km² (73.8 mi²). 189.5 km² (73.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.87% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 151,580 people, 64,691 households, and 35,709 families residing in the city. The population density is 800.0/km² (2,072.0/mi²). There are 69,650 housing units at an average density of 367.6/km² (952.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.69% White, 3.27% African American, 0.75% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. 2.31% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 64,691 households out of which 24.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% are married couples living together, 10.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% are non-families. 35.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.17 and the average family size is 2.82.

In the city the population is spread out with 19.9% under the age of 18, 17.4% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $29,563, and the median income for a family is $38,114. Males have a median income of $27,778 versus $20,980 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,711. 15.9% of the population and 9.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.1% are under the age of 18 and 7.9% are 65 or older.

History

January 1833 - Greene county was established.

1835 - Springfield becomes the county seat for Greene county.

February 19, 1838 - Springfield was first incorporated. The population of the city was 300.

May 1846 - Springfield was incorporated for the second time.

1858 - The first west bound stage coach, Butterfield Overland Mail, reached Springfield.

1861 - Union troops under General Nathaniel Lyon march into the city. The same year, the Battle at Wilson's Creek was fought. General Lyon was killed and the Union army retreated to Rolla.

1862 - Confederate troops retreat from the city and control is returned to Union control. Maj Gen. Samuel R. Curtis was in command.

1870 - First railroad.

1870 - North Springfield was incorporated.

1887 - Springfield and North Springfield were consolidated.

January 1888 - First mail delivery.

1910 - First electric lights in a Springfiled home were installed.

1927 - First radio station.

January 1955 - First color broadcast in the city by KTTS-TV.