Lilbourn, Missouri

Lilbourn is a city in central New Madrid County, Missouri. It had a population of 1,190 at the 2010 census.

History

Lilbourn was founded in 1888 after the construction of the nearby Cottonbelt Railroad and initially given the name "Pawpaw," due to the many pawpaw thickets nearby. After the establishment of a post office in 1903, the town was renamed in honor of Lilbourn Lewis, a local landowner. Lilbourn was incorporated in 1904 and by 1912 had eight general stores, several factories, and extensive railroad facilities. The city's population peaked at almost 1,500 in 1980, but has declined somewhat since that time.

Geography

Lilbourn is located along Route D in central New Madrid County, just north of U.S. Route 62 and about four miles west of New Madrid. The village of North Lilbourn adjoins the city to the northwest. Its exact coordinates are 36°35’27”N 89°36’46”W.

The city has a total land area of 0.94 square miles, and an average elevation of 285 feet. The Little River, draining much of Southeast Missouri, flows just to the west. Lilbourn lies very close to the New Madrid fault line, and several small earthquakes have occurred in the vicinity in recent years.

Demographics

At the 2010 census, Lilbourn had a total of 1,190 inhabitants, grouped into 489 households, with a population density of 1,266.0 people per square mile. This figure represented a significant decrease from the 2000 census, when Lilbourn had a population of 1,303. 63.95% of the inhabitants were White, 34.12% were African-American, 0.25% were Native American, and 1.68% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 0.25% of the population.

The median age in Lilbourn was 38.7 years, with 26.6% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 9.7% between 18 and 24 years old, 22.3% between 25 and 44, 26.9% between 45 and 64, and 14.6% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 46.2% male, 53.8% female.

According to the 2010 American Community Survey, the median household income in Lilbourn was $29,556, and the median family income was $40,931. The unemployment rate was 11.8%. The per capita income was $14,294. About 14.6% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 20.7% of people under the age of 18 and 12.0% of people 65 years old or older.

Community Life

Lilbourn is part of the New Madrid County R-I School District, into which it was consolidated in 1980. The city retains a grade school, Lilbourn Elementary School, with an enrollment of about 280 students. There is also a public library.

Lilbourn hosts a "Community Day" in early June.