Festus, Missouri

Festus, Missouri
City
Festus, Missouri
Location of Festus, Missouri
Coordinates: 38°13′10″N90°24′35″W / 38.21944°N 90.40972°W / 38.21944; -90.40972
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Jefferson
Incorporated	1887
Government [1]
• Type	Mayor–council government
• Mayor	Sam Richards
Area [2]
• Total	5.91 sq mi (15.29 km2)
• Land	5.91 sq mi (15.29 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [3]	512 ft (156 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,706
• Density	2,151.74/sq mi (830.83/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	63028
Area code	636
FIPS code	29-24094 [4]
GNIS feature ID	2394763 [3]
Website	City website

Festus is a city situated in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States, and is also a suburb of St. Louis. It had a population of 12,706 individuals as of the 2020 census. ^[5]

Geography

Festus Balloon Festival

Festus is situated just west of the Mississippi River. The city is served by I-55 and US routes 61 and 67. ^[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.71 square miles (14.79 km²), all land. ^[7]

Climate

Climate data for Festus, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1934–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	80 (27)	89 (32)	91 (33)	93 (34)	96 (36)	108 (42)	116 (47)	110 (43)	105 (41)	97 (36)	87 (31)	78 (26)	116 (47)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	66.0 (18.9)	72.0 (22.2)	79.4 (26.3)	85.6 (29.8)	89.3 (31.8)	93.7 (34.3)	97.3 (36.3)	97.1 (36.2)	92.6 (33.7)	86.1 (30.1)	76.0 (24.4)	67.3 (19.6)	99.1 (37.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	41.0 (5.0)	46.3 (7.9)	56.3 (13.5)	67.8 (19.9)	76.2 (24.6)	84.6 (29.2)	88.4 (31.3)	87.2 (30.7)	80.6 (27.0)	69.6 (20.9)	56.0 (13.3)	45.1 (7.3)	66.6 (19.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	31.7 (−0.2)	35.8 (2.1)	44.9 (7.2)	55.8 (13.2)	65.0 (18.3)	73.6 (23.1)	77.8 (25.4)	76.3 (24.6)	68.9 (20.5)	57.6 (14.2)	45.5 (7.5)	35.8 (2.1)	55.7 (13.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	22.3 (−5.4)	25.3 (−3.7)	33.6 (0.9)	43.8 (6.6)	53.8 (12.1)	62.6 (17.0)	67.2 (19.6)	65.4 (18.6)	57.1 (13.9)	45.5 (7.5)	35.1 (1.7)	26.5 (−3.1)	44.9 (7.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	2.9 (−16.2)	7.2 (−13.8)	16.3 (−8.7)	28.8 (−1.8)	39.4 (4.1)	51.6 (10.9)	57.8 (14.3)	55.0 (12.8)	43.0 (6.1)	29.7 (−1.3)	19.7 (−6.8)	9.7 (−12.4)	−0.6 (−18.1)
Record low °F (°C)	−27 (−33)	−20 (−29)	−13 (−25)	17 (−8)	27 (−3)	37 (3)	43 (6)	40 (4)	28 (−2)	16 (−9)	−2 (−19)	−19 (−28)	−27 (−33)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.68 (68)	2.51 (64)	4.00 (102)	4.91 (125)	4.76 (121)	4.74 (120)	3.83 (97)	3.59 (91)	3.38 (86)	2.83 (72)	3.54 (90)	2.80 (71)	43.57 (1,107)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	2.1 (5.3)	2.7 (6.9)	1.1 (2.8)	0.2 (0.51)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.6 (1.5)	2.5 (6.4)	9.2 (23)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	7.6	7.1	10.2	10.1	11.5	9.4	8.2	7.1	6.6	7.5	8.1	8.0	101.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	1.7	1.6	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.4	1.4	5.9
Source: NOAA [8] [9] [10]

History

Festus originated as an outgrowth of older neighbour 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]

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%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census ^[15] 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 ^[16] 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%. ^[17]

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. ^[18]

In popular culture

Festus is the home of the alt-country band The Bottle Rockets. ^[19]

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. ^[20]

The Drunken Peasants podcast had a running gag situation in the form of a feud with individual Brett Keane, a YouTuber and resident of Festus. ^[21] The feud involved satirizing Brett Keane as well as particular aspects of Festus. ^[21]

Education

Festus R-VI School District operates Festus High School.

St. Pius X High School, Our Lady Catholic School (K-8) and Twin City Christian Academy (K-12) are private institutions.

Festus has a lending library, the Festus Public Library. ^[22]

News and media

• Jefferson County Leader
• KJFF (1400 AM)

Transportation

• Interstate 55
• U.S. Route 61
• U.S. Route 67
• Festus Memorial Airport

Notable Animal

Travis (chimpanzee), animal actor famous for mauling a woman.

See also

• Music of Missouri

References

1. "Mayor". City of Festus. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Festus, Missouri
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "Festus, Missouri". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
6. Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 1st ed. 1998, p.49 ISBN   0899332242
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
8. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
9. "Station: Festus, MO". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
10. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
11. https://jeffcomohistory.org/LisasHistoryArticles/JeffCountyHistory.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}
12. "JOIN-N - Jefferson County History - Crystal City and Festus". www.jeffersoncountyonline.org. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
13. "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
15. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
16. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 8, 2012.
18. "Religion in Festus, Missouri". bestplaces. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
19. "The Bottle Rockets | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
20. "(We're Not) The Jet Set". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
21. "Drunken Peasants". YouTube. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
22. "Missouri Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2019.

External links

• City of Festus
• City-data.com - Festus
• Historic maps of Festus in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri