Independence, Missouri
|
|
Independence is a city located in Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 113,288. It is the county seat of Jackson CountyTemplate:GR.
MOMap-doton-Independence.png
Location of Independence, Missouri
| Contents |
Geography
Independence is located at 39°4'47" North, 94°24'24" West (39.079805, -94.406551)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 203.2 km² (78.4 mi²). 202.9 km² (78.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.17% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 113,288 people, 47,390 households, and 30,566 families residing in the city. The population density is 558.4/km² (1,446.3/mi²). There are 50,213 housing units at an average density of 247.5/km² (641.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.87% White, 2.59% African American, 0.70% Asian, 0.64% Native American, 0.46% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races, and 2.31% from two or more races. 3.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 47,390 households out of which 28.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% are non-families. 30.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.37 and the average family size is 2.93.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $38,012, and the median income for a family is $45,876. Males have a median income of $34,138 versus $25,948 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,384. 8.6% of the population and 6.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
Independence was founded on March 29, 1827.
In 1831, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormons) began moving to the Jackson County, Missouri, area. Shortly thereafter, Joseph Smith, Jr., the Mormon prophet, declared a spot just west of Courthouse Square to be the place for a prophesied temple of the New Jerusalem in expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. Tension grew with local Missourians until finally the Saints were expelled from the area. After splintering, many of the LDS churches gradually returned to the city, often making Independence their headquarters, including the Community of Christ and the Church of Christ (Temple Lot).
In the mid-1800s an act of Congress defined Independence as the start of the Oregon Trail.
President Harry S. Truman grew up in Independence, and returned to the city after two terms as President. His wife, First Lady Bess Truman, was born and raised in Independence.
External links
- City's official website (http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/)
- Independence Chamber of Commerce (http://www.independencechamber.org/)
- "This is Where I Belong" (http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/103truman/103truman.htm), a National Park Service article about Truman and Independence
- Harry S. Truman Library & Museum (http://www.trumanlibrary.org/)