Vandalia, Missouri

Vandalia, Missouri
City
Water tower in Vandalia
Location of Vandalia, Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Counties	Audrain, Ralls
Area
• Total	2.25 sq mi (5.83 km2)
• Land	2.24 sq mi (5.80 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	761 ft (232 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	3,899
• Estimate  (2012)	4,017
• Density	1,740.6/sq mi (672.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	63382
Area code	573
FIPS code	29-75688
GNIS feature ID	0728133

Vandalia is a city in Audrain and Ralls Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 3,899 at the 2010 census, which includes about 2000 prisoners incarcerated at the Prison located within the City Limits.

Col. Aaron McPike, who founded Vandalia in 1874, called Vandalia "Queen of the Prairie". It was named after Vandalia, Illinois. Vast rolling prairies had underlying coal and refractory types of clay. Brickplants are major employers in Audrain County today.

The Audrain County portion of Vandalia is part of the Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Ralls County portion is part of the Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Vandalia is located at 39°18′27″N 91°29′21″W (39.307388, -91.489105).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.25 square miles (5.83 km²), of which, 2.24 square miles (5.80 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

Vandalia is located in northeast Missouri in Audrain County - 27 miles from the Mississippi River, 30 miles southwest of Hannibal and 100 miles northwest of St. Louis. The Gateway Western Railroad line runs through the town. U.S. Route 54 passes through Vandalia, connecting it with Illinois to the east and Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks to the south and west.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	501		—
1890	979		95.4%
1900	1,168		19.3%
1910	1,595		36.6%
1920	2,158		35.3%
1930	2,450		13.5%
1940	2,672		9.1%
1950	2,624		−1.8%
1960	3,055		16.4%
1970	3,160		3.4%
1980	3,170		0.3%
1990	2,683		−15.4%
2000	2,529		−5.7%
2010	3,899		54.2%
2014 (est.)	4,133		6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,899 people, 1,105 households, and 671 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,740.6 inhabitants per square mile (672.0/km²). There were 1,295 housing units at an average density of 578.1 per square mile (223.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.4% White, 15.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 1,105 households of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 15% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 38.4% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 29.5% male and 70.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,529 people, 1,176 households, and 702 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,117.8 people per square mile (432.1/km²). There were 1,343 housing units at an average density of 593.6 per square mile (229.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.91% White, 10.76% African American, 0.47% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 1,176 households out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,213, and the median income for a family was $33,819. Males had a median income of $26,356 versus $16,114 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,859. About 14.6% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.7% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, a women's prison of the Missouri Department of Corrections, is located in Vandalia.

The United States Postal Service operates the Vandalia Post Office.

External links

• Historic maps of Vandalia in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri