Republic, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Republic is a city in Christian
and Greene
counties in the U.S. state
of Missouri
. The population is 14,751 according to the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
which was on the rail line's route. The first plat
for what is now Republic was filed 8 January 1879. 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 the the depot's completion.
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:
Therefore, Brookline has retained its identity per intergovernmental agreement although city limit signs have been placed at the old borders of the village. The Brookline signs are still located to identify the original village area near the post office.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), all of it land. Virtually all the city lies in Greene County.
of 2000, there were 8,438 people, 3,148 households, and 2,379 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,508.1 people per square mile (581.8/km²). There were 3,298 housing units at an average density of 589.4 per square mile (227.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.43% White, 0.24% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races
, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 married couples
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
for the city was $15,212. About 5.8% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
by Kurt Vonnegut
were slated for removal in deference to a complaint by local resident Wesley Scroggins, a professor at Missouri State University
whose own children are homeschooled
. Scroggins has said that the contents of the book are profane and violate the teachings of the Bible
. The books were removed on grounds of violating the board's guidelines on book content.
Republic was in the news again on August 16, 2011, when a lawsuit was filed against the Republic School District alleging that the district took to no action when a middle school student reported a rape by a fellow student. The lawsuit states that school officials forced her to write a letter of apology and deliver it to the rapist. She was expelled for a school year and referred to juvenile facilities for a false report. There was no investigation. The lawsuit states that the next year, the same student raped her again. After the second rape, a forensic examination showed positive for sexual assault, and a DNA test confirmed that the semen was from the rapist. He was taken into custody and plead guilty.
In response, the Republic School District claimed that the student's suit was "frivolous, and [has] no basis in fact or law." According to the District, the rape was solely the fault of the student, as she "failed and neglected to use reasonable means to protect her self." Hence, according to the District, any damages caused by the rape "were as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the District Defendants had neither control nor the right to control"
Christian County, Missouri
Christian County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. The county had a population of 54,285 in 2000 census. According to the 2010 census, the county's population is 77,422 , making it the fastest growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest growing in the nation as the county becomes...
and Greene
Greene County, Missouri
Greene County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 275,174 making it the fourth most populated county in Missouri. Its county seat is Springfield...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The population is 14,751 according to the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area
The Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield - the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Nixa, Ozark,...
.
History
Early settlement in southwest Greene County centered on the community of Little York. When the Frisco Railroad built a line in the area in 1872, Little York was not on the route. Settlement moved two miles away to BrooklineBrookline, Missouri
Brookline is a former village in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 326 at the 2000 census. In 2005, Brookline consolidated with the city of Republic after a vote of the residents of both communities approved the consolidation. The individual names of Brookline and Republic...
which was on the rail line's route. The first plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
for what is now Republic was filed 8 January 1879. 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 the the depot's completion.
In 2005, the cities of Republic and Brookline
Brookline, Missouri
Brookline is a former village in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 326 at the 2000 census. In 2005, Brookline consolidated with the city of Republic after a vote of the residents of both communities approved the consolidation. The individual names of Brookline and Republic...
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."
Therefore, Brookline has retained its identity per intergovernmental agreement although city limit signs have been placed at the old borders of the village. The Brookline signs are still located to identify the original village area near the post office.
Geography
Republic is located at 37°7′18"N 94°28′17"W (37.121652, -93.471440).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 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), all of it land. Virtually all the city lies in Greene County.
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 8,438 people, 3,148 households, and 2,379 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 1,508.1 people per square mile (581.8/km²). There were 3,298 housing units at an average density of 589.4 per square mile (227.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.43% White, 0.24% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% 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 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic 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 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, 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
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 $15,212. About 5.8% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
School district controversies
On July 25, 2011, Republic made international headlines when the school board elected to ban two books from the school library. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler and Slaughterhouse-FiveSlaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death is a satirical novel by Kurt Vonnegut about World War II experiences and journeys through time of a soldier called Billy Pilgrim...
by Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was a 20th century American writer. His works such as Cat's Cradle , Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions blend satire, gallows humor and science fiction. He was known for his humanist beliefs and was honorary president of the American Humanist Association.-Early...
were slated for removal in deference to a complaint by local resident Wesley Scroggins, a professor at Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
whose own children are homeschooled
Homeschooling
Homeschooling or homeschool is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in other formal settings of public or private school...
. Scroggins has said that the contents of the book are profane and violate the teachings of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. The books were removed on grounds of violating the board's guidelines on book content.
Republic was in the news again on August 16, 2011, when a lawsuit was filed against the Republic School District alleging that the district took to no action when a middle school student reported a rape by a fellow student. The lawsuit states that school officials forced her to write a letter of apology and deliver it to the rapist. She was expelled for a school year and referred to juvenile facilities for a false report. There was no investigation. The lawsuit states that the next year, the same student raped her again. After the second rape, a forensic examination showed positive for sexual assault, and a DNA test confirmed that the semen was from the rapist. He was taken into custody and plead guilty.
In response, the Republic School District claimed that the student's suit was "frivolous, and [has] no basis in fact or law." According to the District, the rape was solely the fault of the student, as she "failed and neglected to use reasonable means to protect her self." Hence, according to the District, any damages caused by the rape "were as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the District Defendants had neither control nor the right to control"
External links
- City website
- Historic maps of Republic 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...
- Republic Monitor newspaper
- http://www.census.gov/