History
Festus originated as an outgrowth of older neighbor Crystal City. It was established in 1878 by an individual named W. J. Adams, and was known as "Tanglefoot", supposedly because of situations involving drinkers from the local glass factory, who would drunkenly get their feet tangled in brush on their way home. [11] The city was later called Limitville, but eventually "Festus" was chosen, purported to be in honor of St. Louis banker, Festus J. Wade. Others claim the town's name was picked at random by a preacher who sat there, opened the Bible, and pointed to the name "Festus" in the Book of Acts. [12] The City of Festus was incorporated in 1888 and grew to be one of the largest towns in the county. A post office called Festus has been in operation since 1883. [13]
One of the founders of Festus was John Brierton, the great-grand-uncle of John Bruton, the prime minister or Taoiseach of Ireland, who visited the city of Festus and his family's grave in De Soto, Missouri, in 1995. [14] [15]
Demographics
Historical population| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1890 | 1,335 | | — |
|---|
| 1900 | 1,250 | | −6.4% |
|---|
| 1910 | 2,556 | | 104.5% |
|---|
| 1920 | 3,348 | | 31.0% |
|---|
| 1930 | 4,085 | | 22.0% |
|---|
| 1940 | 4,620 | | 13.1% |
|---|
| 1950 | 5,199 | | 12.5% |
|---|
| 1960 | 7,021 | | 35.0% |
|---|
| 1970 | 7,530 | | 7.2% |
|---|
| 1980 | 7,574 | | 0.6% |
|---|
| 1990 | 8,105 | | 7.0% |
|---|
| 2000 | 9,660 | | 19.2% |
|---|
| 2010 | 11,602 | | 20.1% |
|---|
| 2020 | 12,706 | | 9.5% |
|---|
|
2020 census
The 2020 United States census [17] counted 12,706 individuals, 4,765 households, and 3,229 families in Festus. The population density was 2,149.9 per square mile (831.0/km2). There were 5,104 housing units at an average density of 863.6 per square mile (333.8/km2). The racial makeup was 87.99% (11,180) white, 3.18% (404) black or African-American, 0.32% (41) Native American, 0.64% (81) Asian, 0.05% (6) Pacific Islander, 0.67% (85) from other races, and 7.15% (909) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.0% (359) of the population.
Of the 4,765 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18; 45.0% were married couples living together; 35.8% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 28.2% consisted of individuals and 13.7% 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 3.0.
21.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 83.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 90.2 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey [18] estimates show that the median household income was $59,041 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,486) and the median family income was $66,773 (+/- $11,558). Males had a median income of $37,913 (+/- $3,471) versus $30,682 (+/- $4,826) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,353 (+/- $5,734). Approximately, 6.0% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under the age of 18 and 5.4% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 11,602 individuals, 4,636 households, and 3,036 families living in the city. The population density was 2,031.9 inhabitants per square mile (784.5/km2). There were 4,972 housing units at an average density of 870.8 per square mile (336.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 3.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2%. [19]
Of the 4,636 households 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of households were one person and 12.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age was 34.9 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 9,660 individuals, 1,000 households, and 2,606 families living in the city. The population density was 2,020.2 inhabitants per square mile (780.0/km2). There were 4,040 housing units at an average density of 844.9 per square mile (326.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% White, 3.93% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04%. [4]
Of the 3,861 households 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 28.0% of households were one person and 12.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 5.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
Males had a median income of $36,159 versus $25,108 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,035. About 7.0% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
Festus is home to a wide variety of religions, including Christians, Muslims, Pagans and Jews. Atheist and non-believer individuals make up 63% of the population, while God believers make up the remaining 37%, the vast majority being Christian. 12.9% are Baptist, 14.2% are Catholic and 2.8% are Lutheran. [20]
In popular culture
Festus is the home of the alt-country band The Bottle Rockets. [21]
The town is mentioned in the 1974 country song "(We're Not) The Jet Set," in which George Jones and Tammy Wynette sing about road tripping around the Midwestern and Southern part of the United States in a Chevrolet while falling in love. [22]
The Drunken Peasants podcast had a running gag in the form of a feud with Brett Keane, a YouTuber and resident of Festus. [23] The feud involved satirizing and mocking Brett Keane, usually by referencing his speech patterns (such as his incessant use of the words "Individual", "Situation", and "Particular" and his frequent misquoting of common phrases), as well as creating many false personas under the guise of residents of Festus calling into the show and recounting fictitious, humorous encounters with Brett. [23]
