Lawson, Missouri

Lawson is a city in Clay and Ray counties in Missouri, United States, that is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The population was 2,541 at the 2020 census.

History

Lawson was founded in 1870 and was named for New York businessman L. M. Lawson. A post office called Lawson has been in operation since 1876.

Lawson is home to Ray County's oldest bank, Lawson Bank, founded in 1883. Interesting sites near Lawson include the historic Watkins Mill (now a Missouri state park and National Historic Landmark) and KC-10L, a Nike missile base, located a mile east of Lawson (Nov 1959 - Feb 1964).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Lawson had a population of 2,541. The median age was 34.9 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.6 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 895 households in Lawson, of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.2% were married-couple households, 13.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,473 people, 876 households, and 676 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 937 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.1% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 876 households, of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.8% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.21.

The median age in the city was 33.1 years. 31.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census and has a governing body consisting of the Mayor and a four-member Board of Aldermen. Other decision-making bodies include: the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Adjustment and the Parks Board. The City Hall staff includes a City Administrator, City Clerk, staff, and a Municipal Court Clerk. There is a Director of Public Works with a small staff.

The Chief of Police has seven officers. The City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge and Prosecutor serve on a contract basis.

Regarding recreation, in addition to Watkins Mill, there is an 18-hole golf course and the Lawson City Lake north of the city limits. Lawson also has a baseball/softball complex and a small city park.

Education

Public education in Lawson is administered by Lawson R-XIV School District,. which operates one elementary school, one middle school, and Lawson High School.

Lawson has a public library, the Lawson Community Branch Library.

References

External links

Lawson Chamber of Commerce
Historic maps of Lawson in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri