Centerville, Missouri

Centerville is the county seat of Reynolds County, Missouri. It had a population of 191 at the 2010 census.

History

Though its exact date of settlement is unclear, the present community of Centerville (often spelled "Centreville" until about 1896) was in existence by 1852 at the latest. Most likely its name derived from its position near the geographic center of Reynolds County, though an alternate theory has it that a large sycamore tree in the middle of town was the true source. During its first years, it was not the county seat, that honor belonging to the town of Lesterville to the east. The courthouse there was burned during the Civil War, however, and it was eventually decided to build a new courthouse at Centerville instead. The current structure dates from the 1870s.

Most economic activity was located in other towns, and despite its status as county seat, Centerville never became very large. By 1990, its population had dwindled to a mere 89 residents. In the late 1980s, though, the new West Fork Mine opened nearby, which led to a significant recovery for the town. Now operated by the Doe Run Company, the mine produces some 46,000 tons of lead per year in addition to smaller quantities of copper, silver, and zinc, making it among the more important mining operations in Missouri.

Geography

Centerville is located along Missouri State Highways 21 and 72 in central Reynolds County, about 14 miles east of Bunker and 13 miles north of Ellington. Its exact coordinates are 37°26’10”N 90°57’40”W.

The city lies within Ellington Hollow, a small basin within the St. Francois Mountains, with the West Fork of the Black River running just to the northeast. Reeds Spring Mill, a preserved 19th-century gristmill along the West Fork, lies a short distance to the east. Centerville has a total area of 0.30 square miles, and an average elevation of 741 feet.

Demographics

At the 2010 census, Centerville had a total of 191 inhabitants, grouped into 78 households, with a population density of 636.7 people per square mile. This figure represented a significant increase from the 2000 census, when Centerville had a population of 171. 95.29% of the inhabitants were White, 2.09% were African-American, 0.52% were Native American, and 2.09% were from two or more races.

The median age in Centerville was 44.5 years, with 20.4% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 6.9% between 18 and 24 years old, 23.0% between 25 and 44, 26.7% between 45 and 64, and 23.0% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 52.9% male, 47.1% female.

According to the 2018 American Community Survey, Centerville had a median household income of $33,750, and a median family income of $41,667. The unemployment rate was 8.8%. The per capita income was $13,396. About 29.9% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 22.6% of people under the age of 18 and 53.3% of people 65 years old or older.

Education

The Centerville area falls within two different school districts. The Centerville R-I School District operates Centerville Elementary School, serving grades kindergarten through 8th. At present, it has approximately 55 students. Most high schoolers (and some 8th graders and below) attend the Lesterville R-IV School District, which serves most of central Reynolds County. It is a PK-12 public institution with a total enrollment of 260 students. Its mascot is the Bearcats, and the school colors are red, black, and white.