Licking, Missouri

Licking is a city located in Texas County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, Licking had a population of 2,851. It is the most populous city in Texas County.

History

The community was named for a mineral lick near the original town site. An early variant name was "Buffalo Lick". Licking experienced growth after the South Central Correctional Center opened in June 2000, which doubled the population from the 2000 Census to the 2010 Census. Also, a small Amish community moved from Berne, Indiana to Licking starting in 2009.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Licking had a population of 2,851. The median age was 39.2 years. 12.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 281.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 332.8 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 595 households in Licking, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.5% were married-couple households, 20.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 3,124 people, 634 households, and 397 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 742 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 73.1% White, 25.6% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 634 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 35 years. 12.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 36.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 10.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 73.3% male and 26.7% female.

2000 census

The 2000 census

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

Climate

Education

Licking R-VIII School District, which covers the municipality, operates one elementary school and Licking High School.

Licking has a public library, a branch of the Texas County Library.

Notable person

Miyoshi Umeki (1929–2007), the Oscar-winning Japanese-born actress, died in Licking, where she lived with her only child and his family.