Hayti, Missouri

Hayti is a city in central Pemiscot County, Missouri. It is the second-largest community in the county, with a population of 2,939 at the 2010 census.

History

Hayti first came into existence in the 1870s but was not a significant settlement until 1894, as a stop on the newly-constructed Kennett to Caruthersville Railroad. The origin of the town's name is uncertain. Many believe it was named after the country of Haiti, though this is somewhat undermined by the different spelling and pronunciation (with the second syllable pronounced as "-tie" rather than "-tee"). Others argue it came from a local doctor, one G. Hayes.

The city grew rapidly after the arrival of the railroad; by 1912 it included two banks, several manufacturing facilities, various churches, and a newspaper. Its population and economic productivity have declined since the 1980s, though businesses along nearby Interstate 55 have compensated for this somewhat.

Geography

Hayti is located in east-central Pemiscot County, about six miles northwest of Caruthersville. The city of Hayti Heights borders it to the west. It lies at or near the intersection of several important highways: Interstate 55, Interstate 155, and U.S. Route 412 all meet just southeast of town, providing quick access to Arkansas and Tennessee as well as the rest of the "Bootheel" region. Missouri State Highway 84 also intersects with I-55 on the eastern edge of Hayti, forming an important stopping point for interstate travelers, as several restaurants and gas stations are clustered nearby.

Hayti lies on a slight ridge between the Mississippi River to the east and several streams that feed into the Little River to the west. It has a total area of 2.31 square miles, and an average elevation of 269 feet.

Demographics

At the 2010 census, Hayti had a total of 2,939 inhabitants, grouped into 1,258 households, with a population density of 1,277.8 people per square mile. This figure represented a significant decrease from the 2000 census, when Hayti had a population of 3,207. 52.23% of the inhabitants were White, 45.12% were African-American, 0.31% were Native American, 0.31% were Asian, 0.51% were from some other race, and 1.53% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 0.99% of the population.

The median age in Hayti was 38.2 years, with 26.9% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 9.9% between 18 and 24 years old, 21.6% between 25 and 44, 25.3% between 45 and 64, and 16.4% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 45.8% male, 54.2% female.

According to the 2017 American Community Survey, Hayti had a median household income of $23,438, and a median family income of $36,613. The unemployment rate was 6.3%. The per capita income was $20,356. About 32.0% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 37.4% of people under the age of 18 and 27.9% of people 65 years old or older.

Economy

Before it was mechanized in the mid-20th century, agriculture employed the majority of the local population; its percentage of the labor force has since sharply declined, though it continues to be important to the economy overall. Today most people are employed in health care, light manufacturing, finance/insurance, and retail trade. The city has an active Chamber of Commerce that hosts several community events a year.

Education

Hayti and the surrounding area are served by the Hayti R-II School District, a PK-12 public institution with an enrollment of just over 700 students. It includes two elementary schools, Mathis Elementary School (PK-04) and Wallace Elementary School (05-08), and Hayti High School (09-12). Its mascot is the Indians, and the school colors are black and gold.

The community also has the Pemiscot County Vocational School, a trade school serving grades 11 and 12, and two alternative schools: Oak View Learning Center and Hayti Diagnostic Center.