Cassville is a city in Flat Creek Township, Barry County, Missouri, United States. According to the 2020 census, the population of Cassville was 3,190.[4] Cassville is one of the primary markets and job centers for an estimated 14,000 people living in the surrounding area.[5] It is the county seat of Barry County.[6]
History
The land which would be called Cassville was platted in 1845.[7] A post office was set up the same year.[8] The community was named after Lewis Cass, a former United States Senator and Secretary of War.[9] Cassville was incorporated on March 3, 1847.[10]
Cassville served as the Confederate capital of Missouri for one week from October 31 to November 7, 1861. This ended abruptly when the Confederate government was pushed further south into Arkansas by the invading Union army. The Battle of Pea Ridge later secured Missouri for the Union.[11]
WPA mural, Flora and Fauna of the Region by Edward Winter, in Cassville post office
The city was connected by rail via the Cassville & Exeter Railroad from July 4, 1896, to September 11, 1956.[12]
As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 3,266 people, 1,275 households, and 848 families living in the city. The population density was 1,014.3 inhabitants per square mile (391.6/km2). There were 1,402 housing units at an average density of 435.4 per square mile (168.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.8% White, 0.4% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.
There were 1,275 households, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
The median age in the city was 40.5 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 2,890 people, 1,194 households, and 770 families living in the city. The population density was 1,046.0 inhabitants per square mile (403.9/km2). There were 1,307 housing units at an average density of 473.0 per square mile (182.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.30% White, 0.03% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 1.11% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.63% of the population.
There were 1,194 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,351, and the median income for a family was $34,074. Males had a median income of $22,952 versus $19,120 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,660. About 12.3% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.4% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The City of Cassville is managed by a four-member Board of Aldermen (City Council) with Bill Shiveley serving as the Mayor. Steve Walensky has served as City Administrator since September 2016. Before that, he was the Director of Public Works, a role he took on in 2011.
Roaring River Spring is the source of Roaring River. The average daily flow is 20.4 million gallons of water. The cave runs over 220 feet deep.[15]
Education
Cassville R-IV School District operates one elementary school, one middle school, one intermediate school, and Cassville High School.[16]
Cassville has a public library, a branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library.[17]
Crowder College offers two-year degree programs in Cassville.
In August 2022 the district reintroduced corporal punishment after a gap of about 20 years.[18]
Clete Boyer - Major League Baseball player born in Cassville
Mary Easley - Oklahoma Senator (2004-2010), Oklahoma Representative (1997-2004), teacher
Curtis F. Marbut - Director of the Soil Survey Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Scott Fitzpatrick - Missouri State Auditor, former Missouri State Treasurer, and former Missouri State representative.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.22 square miles (8.34 km2), all land.[20] Located in the Ozarks, Cassville and its surrounding area have a densely forested hilly terrain. The city, itself, sits on Flat Creek.[21] Located south of Cassville, Roaring River State Park is a popular recreation spot for hiking, fishing, and camping.[22]
Climate
Climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).[23]
Climate data for Cassville, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1911–present)
^"Station: Cassville, MO". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
