Town in Missouri, United States
Arbyrd is a small town in Dunklin County, Missouri, United States. The population was 509 at the 2010 census. The town was officially incorporated in 1919. The name is a contraction of the founder's name, A. R. Byrd.[6]
Given that, as a person that spent my first seventeen years in Arbyrd, Missouri, I find the lack of any hint at the true history of my hometown rather offensive. Offensive, in the main, to the mostly upstanding, hard-working, proud, and self-sufficient townfolk that I remember. I intend, over the next several days or weeks, to right this injustice to the very people that have been so thoroughly ignored, until now, by history. I do not in any way claim to know all of Arbyrd's history, but do promise to do my best to bring an honest, fair account of my knowledge of the town through much of the oral history of the town that I have been made privy to and my own personal observations and experiences. Check back often as I will add to this page as I have the spare time and as the muse moves me.
Geography
Arbyrd is located at 36°3′2″N 90°14′20″W / 36.05056°N 90.23889°W / 36.05056; -90.23889 (36.050607, -90.238760).[7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.00 square mile (2.59 km2), all of it land.[1]
Climate
| Climate data for Arbyrd, Missouri
|
| Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
| Record high °F (°C)
|
74
(23)
|
80
(27)
|
86
(30)
|
94
(34)
|
98
(37)
|
105
(41)
|
112
(44)
|
109
(43)
|
106
(41)
|
97
(36)
|
87
(31)
|
78
(26)
|
112
(44)
|
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C)
|
44
(7)
|
50
(10)
|
60
(16)
|
71
(22)
|
80
(27)
|
89
(32)
|
93
(34)
|
91
(33)
|
84
(29)
|
74
(23)
|
60
(16)
|
48
(9)
|
70
(22)
|
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C)
|
25
(−4)
|
29
(−2)
|
38
(3)
|
47
(8)
|
57
(14)
|
65
(18)
|
69
(21)
|
67
(19)
|
59
(15)
|
47
(8)
|
38
(3)
|
29
(−2)
|
48
(8)
|
| Record low °F (°C)
|
−12
(−24)
|
−4
(−20)
|
0
(−18)
|
24
(−4)
|
34
(1)
|
43
(6)
|
50
(10)
|
46
(8)
|
34
(1)
|
24
(−4)
|
12
(−11)
|
−6
(−21)
|
22
(−6)
|
| Average precipitation inches (mm)
|
3.37
(86)
|
3.84
(98)
|
4.85
(123)
|
4.92
(125)
|
5.59
(142)
|
4.03
(102)
|
3.63
(92)
|
2.66
(68)
|
3.29
(84)
|
3.93
(100)
|
4.95
(126)
|
4.55
(116)
|
49.61
(1,260)
|
| Source: [8]
|
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 509 people, 198 households, and 124 families residing in the city. The population density was 509.0 inhabitants per square mile (196.5/km2). There were 228 housing units at an average density of 228.0 per square mile (88.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.30% White, 0.20% Native American, 4.72% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.25% of the population.
There were 198 households of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.24.
The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 528 people, 230 households, and 143 families residing in the town. The population density was 528.8 people per square mile (203.9/km²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 257.4 per square mile (99.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.48% White, 0.19% African American, 0.19% Native American, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 230 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,438, and the median income for a family was $28,929. Males had a median income of $24,432 versus $16,563 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,504. About 14.3% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 28.7% of those age 65 or over.
Local legends and phenomena
According to local legend [1] there is a ghostlight (or "spooklight") near Arbyrd. This "Light" is known variously as the "Arbyrd Light" or as the "Senath Light." The alleged location actually lies between three towns (Arbyrd, Senath and Hornersville) on an old gravel road near the community known as Hollywood.
Culture/notable people
The Missouri Bootheel was the home of two members of The Kentucky Headhunters,[9] Doug and Ricky Phelps. They grew up in Cardwell and Arbyrd and obtained their education from the Southland C-9 school district. Doug and Ricky were both members of the Headhunters who then left to form their own band called - Brother Phelps. Once Ricky decided to take his music into a more gospel arena, Doug rejoined the Kentucky Headhunters as the lead singer. Doug and Ricky came back (as Brother Phelps) to the Missouri Bootheel. They performed at the Cotton Pickin Festival in Arbyrd, a place where they spent lots of time while growing up.
