History
Pleasant Hill was platted in 1844 by William Wright and was recorded as the "Original Town of Pleasant Hill." Wright and Methodist circuit rider William Ferrell operated a mercantile store. The original location was on a ridge near Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The community was named after its "pleasant situation on an elevated prairie". [6] Wright also operated a 3-story tavern that was marked by a 12-foot high beacon atop a pole. [7] It was an overnight stop for stagecoaches between Lexington, Missouri and Fort Scott, Kansas.
During the American Civil War and the run-up to it in the 1860s, Pleasant Hill was bitterly divided between the factions and was subject to numerous bushwhacking incidents. The most notable incidents involved the congregations of the Christian and Presbyterian churches which were built side by side on High Street. The Presbyterian Church was burnt in the process. In 1863 all residents in the area were forced to move from the community in General Order No. 11 (1863). [7]
In 1865 after residents were able to return the city center moved one mile southwest down the hill to the railhead of the Pacific Railroad (the original town site is still within the city limits, however the area is now called "Old Town"). [8] The new city center was lower than the original and adjoins Big Creek.
The Pleasant Hill Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. [9]
The Pleasant Hill Historical Society Museum, outside that district, but in a building that incorporates elements of other historic buildings, is a museum covering the town's history.
In 2016 the former Pacific Railroad line (which was later owned by the Rock Island Railroad) was converted to the western terminus of the 47-mile-long Rock Island Trail State Park (Missouri) and connects the Rails to Trails to the 240-mile-long Katy Trail State Park.
Demographics
Historical population| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1870 | 2,554 | | — |
|---|
| 1880 | 2,372 | | −7.1% |
|---|
| 1890 | 2,217 | | −6.5% |
|---|
| 1900 | 2,002 | | −9.7% |
|---|
| 1910 | 2,065 | | 3.1% |
|---|
| 1920 | 1,965 | | −4.8% |
|---|
| 1930 | 2,330 | | 18.6% |
|---|
| 1940 | 2,118 | | −9.1% |
|---|
| 1950 | 2,200 | | 3.9% |
|---|
| 1960 | 2,689 | | 22.2% |
|---|
| 1970 | 3,396 | | 26.3% |
|---|
| 1980 | 3,301 | | −2.8% |
|---|
| 1990 | 3,827 | | 15.9% |
|---|
| 2000 | 5,582 | | 45.9% |
|---|
| 2010 | 8,113 | | 45.3% |
|---|
| 2020 | 8,777 | | 8.2% |
|---|
|
2020 census
The 2020 United States census [13] counted 8,777 people, 3,147 households, and 2,216 families in Pleasant Hill. The population density was 1,087.6 per square mile (420.0/km2). There were 3,251 housing units at an average density of 402.9 per square mile (155.6/km2). The racial makeup was 90.08% (7,906) white, 0.66% (58) black or African-American, 0.59% (52) Native American, 0.38% (33) Asian, 0.08% (7) Pacific Islander, 1.11% (97) from other races, and 7.11% (624) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.0% (260) of the population.
Of the 3,147 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 55.5% were married couples living together; 24.7% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 21.7% consisted of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.2.
27.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 87.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 80.6 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey [14] estimates show that the median household income was $72,630 (with a margin of error of +/- $15,892) and the median family income was $84,000 (+/- $8,503). Males had a median income of $51,656 (+/- $6,157) versus $28,349 (+/- $6,596) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $36,771 (+/- $3,546). Approximately, 8.1% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census [15] of 2010, there were 8,113 people, 2,959 households, and 2,196 families living in the city. The population density was 1,012.9 inhabitants per square mile (391.1/km2). There were 3,169 housing units at an average density of 395.6 per square mile (152.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 0.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.
There were 2,959 households, of which 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.8% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.13.
The median age in the city was 33.7 years. 29.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 21.9% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, [3] there were 5,582 people, 2,070 households and 1,509 families living in the city. The population density was 1,242.3 inhabitants per square mile (479.7/km2). There were 2,202 housing units at an average density of 490.1 per square mile (189.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.55% White, 0.21% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.
There were 2,070 households, of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
Age distribution was 30.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median household income was $48,915, and the median family income was $52,799. Males had a median income of $40,394 versus $24,985 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,623. About 4.0% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
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