El Dorado Springs, Missouri
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El Dorado Springs is a city located in Cedar County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,775. El Dorado, as it is commonly shortened to, is the largest city in the county.
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Geography
El Dorado Springs is located at 37°52'15" North, 94°1'16" West (37.870872, -94.021024)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.0 km² (3.1 mi²). 8.0 km² (3.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.32% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 3,775 people, 1,654 households, and 984 families residing in the city. The population density is 473.2/km² (1,225.7/mi²). There are 1,897 housing units at an average density of 237.8/km² (615.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.37% White, 0.11% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 1.35% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,654 households out of which 28.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% are married couples living together, 11.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.5% are non-families. 36.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 20.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.21 and the average family size is 2.86.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $20,789, and the median income for a family is $26,366. Males have a median income of $23,109 versus $15,197 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,575. 24.9% of the population and 18.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 42.7% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
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El Dorado Springs was founded in 1881 by the Cruce brothers, Nathaniel and Waldo, who attempted to capitalize off the namesake spring's water. The spring was rumored to have medicinal value. Thus, El Dorado Springs became a destination for tourists and retirement.
The water, which has a heavy mineral content, was so valued that the Cruces named the city El Dorado Springs, after the legendary city of gold.
A local tradition is the Founder's Day Picnic. It began early in the town's existance as an annual gathering for residents of the town. The three night event has grown to be the largest attraction of the year, bringing thousands of visitors to the town. A carnival has provided rides in recent years, and the city council hires performers to give free concerts in the city park. Recent performers have been country stars Rushlow and Brian McComas.
The city boasts one of the oldest continuously playing municipal bands in the nation. The municipal band, which is over one hundred years old, plays free concerts every Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in June, July, and August. The band consists of local citizens from high schoolers to senior citizens.