Festus, Missouri

Festus, Missouri
Festus is a city situated in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States, and is also a suburb of St. Louis. It had a population of 12,706 individuals as of the 2020 census.
Geography
Festus is situated just west of the Mississippi River. The city is served by I-55 and US routes 61 and 67.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Climate
History
Festus originated as an outgrowth of older neighbour Crystal City. It was established in 1878 by an individual named W. J. Adams, and was known as "Tanglefoot", supposedly because of situations involving drinkers from the local glass factory, who would drunkenly get their feet tangled in brush on their way home. The city was later called Limitville, but eventually "Festus" was chosen, purported to be in honor of St. Louis banker, Festus J. Wade. Others claim the town's name was picked at random by a preacher who sat there, opened the Bible, and pointed to the name "Festus" in the Book of Acts. The City of Festus was incorporated in 1888 and grew to be one of the largest towns in the county. A post office called Festus has been in operation since 1883.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 11,602 individuals, 4,636 households, and 3,036 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 4,972 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 3.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2%.
Of the 4,636 households 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of households were one person and 12.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age was 34.9 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 9,660 people, 1,000 households, and 2,606 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 4,040 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% White, 3.93% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04%.
Of the 3,861 households 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 28.0% of households were one person and 12.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 5.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
Males had a median income of $36,159 versus $25,108 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,035. About 7.0% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
Festus is home to a wide variety of religions, including Christians, Muslims, Pagans and Jews. Atheist individuals make up 63% of the population, while God believers make up the remaining 37%, the vast majority being Christian. 12.9% are Baptist, 14.2% are Catholic and 2.8% are Lutheran.
In popular culture
Festus is the home of the alt-country band The Bottle Rockets.
The town is mentioned in the 1974 country song "(We're Not) The Jet Set," in which George Jones and Tammy Wynette sing about road tripping around the Midwestern and Southern part of the United States in a Chevrolet while falling in love.
The Drunken Peasants podcast had a running gag situation in the form of a feud with individual Brett Keane, a YouTuber and resident of Festus. The feud involved satirizing Brett Keane as well as particular aspects of Festus.
Education
Festus R-VI School District operates Festus High School.
St. Pius X High School, Our Lady Catholic School (K-8) and Twin City Christian Academy (K-12) are private institutions.
Festus has a lending library, the Festus Public Library.
News and media
Jefferson County Leader
KJFF (1400 AM)
Transportation
Interstate 55
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 67
Festus Memorial Airport
Notable Animal
Travis (chimpanzee), animal actor famous for mauling a woman.
See also
Music of Missouri
References
External links
City of Festus
City-data.com - Festus
Historic maps of Festus in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri
Cities in Jefferson County, Missouri
Cities in Missouri