Vandalia is a city in northeastern Audrain County and extending into southeastern Ralls County in Missouri, United States. The population was 3,553 at the 2020 census, which includes about 1,000 prisoners incarcerated at the prison located within the city limits.

The Audrain County portion of Vandalia is part of the Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Ralls County portion is part of the Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Vandalia was laid off by Aaron McPike and Judge Harmen Caldwell in 1870 and platted in 1871. The city was named after Vandalia, Illinois. Aaron McPike transferred the lumber used to build the first homes from Louisiana, Missouri. A post office called Vandalia has been in operation since 1871.

The Lincoln School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Vandalia had a population of 3,553. The median age was 37.6 years. 16.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 46.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 38.8 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,012 households in Vandalia, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.3% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 3,899 people, 1,105 households, and 671 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,295 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 81.4% White, 15.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 1,105 households, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 15% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 38.4% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 29.5% male and 70.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Vandalia is about 27 miles from the Mississippi River, 30 miles southwest of Hannibal and 100 miles northwest of St. Louis. The Gateway Western Railroad line runs through the town. U.S. Route 54 connects Vandalia with Illinois to the east and Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks to the south and west.

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

Climate

Government and infrastructure

The Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, a women's prison of the Missouri Department of Corrections, is located in Vandalia.

The United States Postal Service operates the Vandalia Post Office.

Education

Van-Far R-I School District operates one elementary school, one middle school and Van-Far Jr./Sr. High School.

Vandalia has a lending library, a branch of the Mexico-Audrain Library District.

See also

  • List of cities in Missouri

References

  • Historic maps of Vandalia in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri