Republic, Missouri

Republic is a city in Christian and Greene counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 18,750. In 2019, its population was 16,938, making it the second largest city in Greene County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is also the fourth largest city in the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area.

History

Early settlement in southwest Greene County centered on the community of Little York. When the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad built a line through the area in the early 1870s, Little York was not on the route. Settlement moved two miles away to Brookline, which was on the rail line's route.

A group of settlers decided to take up residency at another area along the tracks just four miles southwest of Brookline. This village eventually became known as Republic, and was incorporated in 1871. 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 to the depot's completion.

Consolidation with Village of Brookline

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:

<blockquote>"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. In addition, BNSF Railway continues to designate Brookline as a station point on its network map and system timetables.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

As a Border State in the American Civil War many of Missouri’s cities have a close history to the conflict. The area surrounding Republic was the site of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and now works to preserve and commemorate the history of the battle. The battle of Wilson’s Creek was the first major battle fought west of the Mississippi River and a Southern victory. During this battle, Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union General killed in action to this point in the war. Now, the battlefield is a National Park and works to educate visitors on the history of the battle and the wider Civil War. These educational efforts include the preservation of the Ray House, public programs demonstrating Civil War medicine and artillery firing demonstrations, battle reenactments, and a Visitor Center & Museum.

Geography

Republic is located at (37.121652, -93.471440). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Most of the city lies in Greene County, and the rest is in Christian County.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Republic had a population of 18,750 and 7,080 households, including 4,620 families. The population density was 1,172.6 per square mile (452.9/km).

The median age was 33.2 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.4 males age 18 and over.

There were 7,080 households, of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.8% were married-couple households, 14.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 2.9.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

| White || 16,478 || 87.9%

| Black or African American || 245 || 1.3%

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 114 || 0.6%

| Asian || 152 || 0.8%

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 7 || 0.0%

| Some other race || 218 || 1.2%

| Two or more races || 1,536 || 8.2%

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 704 || 3.8%

2016-2020 American Community Survey

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $55,322 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,127) and the median family income was $63,293 (+/- $6,110). Males had a median income of $41,439 (+/- $2,785) versus $26,164 (+/- $2,835) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,497 (+/- $3,661). Approximately, 13.4% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under the age of 18 and 11.7% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,751 people, 5,516 households, and 3,999 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 6,139 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 0.7% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 5,516 households, of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 32.2 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.9% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64; and 10.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census The district has the following schools:

Republic High School
Republic Middle School
Lyon Elementary
McCulloch Elementary
Price Elementary
Schofield Elementary
Sweeny Elementary
Republic Early Childhood Center

School sports and other activities are available for middle and high school students, including football, volleyball, band, choir, academic and specialty clubs, and robotics.

Controversies

On July 25, 2011, the school board elected to ban two books from the school library. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut were slated for removal in deference to a complaint by a local resident, a professor at Missouri State University whose own children are homeschooled. The resident claimed the contents of the books are profane and violate the teachings of the Bible. The books were removed on grounds of violating the board's guidelines on book content.

Higher education

Ozarks Technical Community College opened its Republic Center in August 2020. The center serves as a satellite campus, offering multiple degree programs to Republic and the surrounding communities.

Notable people

Stephen R. Bough, federal judge, Western District of Missouri
Charles Harrison Brown, two-term U.S. representative from Missouri's 7th congressional district 1957–1961
Ross Carter, American football player
Lester E. Cox, businessman, namesake of CoxHealth

References

External links

City of Republic
Republic Mo News, local newspaper
Republic School District
Historic maps of Republic in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri