| Republic, Missouri | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Location of Republic, Missouri | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Counties | Christian, Greene |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.30 sq mi (34.45 km2) |
| • Land | 13.30 sq mi (34.45 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,309 ft (399 m) |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
| • Total | 14,751 |
| • Density | 1,508.1/sq mi (582.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 65738 |
| Area code(s) | 417 |
| FIPS code | 29-61238[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0725224[3] |
Republic is a city in Christian and Greene counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 14,751 according to the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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Early settlement in southwest Greene County centered on the community of Little York. When the Frisco Railroad built a line in the area in 1872, Little York was not on the route. Settlement moved two miles away to Brookline which was on the rail line's route. The first plat for what is now Republic was filed 8 January 1879.[4] While the railroad did go through Republic, there initially was no switch or depot located in the city. A public subscription of $1000 raised the funds to build a depot in the city. Subsequent growth is attributed the depot's completion.[5]
In 2005, the cities of Republic and Brookline consolidated as Missouri State laws allow after a vote of the residents of both communities approved the consolidation with Republic taking over all aspects of city government. Originally, Brookline was to retain its own identity, but the city limit signs have since been changed to Republic's. However, according to Section I (b) of the Intergovernmental Agreement:
"Name of Consolidated Municipality - The name of the consolidated municipality shall be "City of Republic." To help preserve the identity of the Village, the City will place signs with text “Village of Brookline” at the current corporate limits of the Village. Placement of signage is subject to State sign regulations when placed in State right-of-way. The City of Republic will work with the United States Postal Service to help preserve the history and operation of the Brookline Station Post Office."
Therefore, Brookline has retained its identity per intergovernmental agreement although city limit signs have been placed at the old borders of the village. The Brookline signs are still located to identify the original village area near the post office.
Republic is located at (37.121652, -93.471440)[6].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.6 square miles (15 km2), all of it land. Virtually all the city lies in Greene County.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 81 |
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| 1890 | 381 | 370.4% | |
| 1900 | 856 | 124.7% | |
| 1910 | 884 | 3.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,097 | 24.1% | |
| 1930 | 841 | −23.3% | |
| 1940 | 790 | −6.1% | |
| 1950 | 965 | 22.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,519 | 57.4% | |
| 1970 | 2,411 | 58.7% | |
| 1980 | 4,485 | 86.0% | |
| 1990 | 6,292 | 40.3% | |
| 2000 | 8,438 | 34.1% | |
| 2010 | 14,751 | 74.8% | |
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As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 8,438 people, 3,148 households, and 2,379 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,508.1 people per square mile (581.8/km²). There were 3,298 housing units at an average density of 589.4 per square mile (227.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.43% White, 0.24% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.
There were 3,148 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,611, and the median income for a family was $37,622. Males had a median income of $30,849 versus $21,725 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,212. About 5.8% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
On July 25, 2011, Republic made international headlines when the school board elected to ban two books from the school library.[7] Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut were slated for removal in deference to a complaint by local resident Wesley Scroggins, a professor at Missouri State University whose own children are homeschooled. Scroggins has said that the contents of the book are profane and violate the teachings of the Bible. The books were removed on grounds of violating the board's guidelines on book content.[8][9]
Republic was in the news again on August 16, 2011, when a lawsuit was filed against the Republic School District alleging that the district took to no action when a middle school student reported a rape by a fellow student. The lawsuit states that school officials forced her to write a letter of apology and deliver it to the rapist. She was expelled for a school year and referred to juvenile facilities for a false report. There was no investigation. The lawsuit states that the next year, the same student raped her again. After the second rape, a forensic examination showed positive for sexual assault, and a DNA test confirmed that the semen was from the rapist. He was taken into custody and plead guilty.[10]
In response, the Republic School District claimed that the student's suit was "frivolous, and [has] no basis in fact or law." According to the District, the rape was solely the fault of the student, as she "failed and neglected to use reasonable means to protect her self." Hence, according to the District, any damages caused by the rape "were as a result of the negligence, carelessness, or conduct of third parties over whom the District Defendants had neither control nor the right to control"[11]
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