Kennett, Missouri
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Kennett, Missouri
|settlement_type = City
|nickname =
|motto =
|image_skyline = Ely & Walker Shirt Factory 5 221 South Main Street Kennett Mo.jpg
|image_caption = Ely & Walker Shirt Factory 5 on Main Street
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_map = Dunklin_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Kennett_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location of Kennett, Missouri
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = Missouri
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Dunklin
|government_footnotes =
|government_type =
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Jake Crafton
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|established_title =
|established_date =
|area_total_sq_mi = 7.00
|area_land_sq_mi = 7.00
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|area_total_km2 = 18.14
|area_land_km2 = 18.14
|area_water_km2 = 0.01
|unit_pref = Imperial
|population_as_of = 2020
|population_est =
|pop_est_as_of =
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 10515
|population_density_sq_mi = 1501.71
|population_density_km2 = 579.82
|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|elevation_ft = 272
|coordinates = {{coord|36|14|25|N|90|02|53|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = ZIP code
|postal_code = 63857
|area_code = 573
|blank_name = FIPS code
|blank_info = 29-38306{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}
|blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
|blank1_info = 2395508{{GNIS|2395508}}
|website = [http://www.cityofkennettmo.com/ cityofkennettmo.com]
|footnotes =
|pop_est_footnotes =
}}
Kennett is a city in and the county seat of Dunklin County, Missouri, United States. The city is located in the southeast corner (or "Bootheel") of Missouri, {{convert|4|miles|km}} east of Arkansas and {{convert|20|miles|km}} from the Mississippi River. It had a population of 10,515 at the 2020 census. Kennett is the largest city in the Bootheel, a mostly agricultural area.
History
Settlers built log cabins in the area in the first half of the 19th century, naming their settlement Chilletecaux in honor of a Delaware Indian chief who lived there. The town was renamed Butler in the late 1840s. Due to mail delivery problems because of other jurisdictions named the same, the settlement was renamed Kennett, in honor of the mayor of the city of St. Louis, Luther M. Kennett.{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n62 165]}}
In the 1890s, a railroad reached the area, stimulating growth in the town. In that same period, the state began construction of a massive drainage program in the St. Francis River basin, which was floodplain and wetlands. In the 20th century, after timber clearing, the area was developed for cultivation of cotton and other commodity crops.{{cite web |url=http://www.kennettmo.com/history.htm |title=Kennett Missouri Chamber of Commerce |access-date=November 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228205138/http://www.kennettmo.com/history.htm |archive-date=February 28, 2009 }}
On March 15, 2025, an EF2 tornado hit the city at EF1 strength, damaging several homes, businesses, a motel, and wooden power poles and snapping trees.{{cite web |author1=Various National Weather Service offices |date=2025 |title=Damage Assessment Toolkit |url=https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/ |website=DAT |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |format=Interactive map and database}}
Geography
Kennett is located at {{Coord|36|14|25|N|90|02|53|W|type:city}} (36.2403403, -90.0480886). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|6.96|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012 }}
As part of the southern extremity of Missouri, Kennett has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with cool winters and hot, humid summers, ample precipitation through much of the year, and is part of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/ZoneInfo.cfm?ZipCode=63857&submit=Look+it+up%21|title = Arbor Day Foundation - Buy trees, rain forest friendly coffee, greeting cards that plant trees, memorials and celebrations with trees, and more|website=www.arborday.org}} The monthly daily average temperature ranges from {{convert|35.3|F|1}} in January to {{convert|80.7|F|1}} in July. On average, there are 4.9 days annually with {{convert|100|F|0}}+ highs, 63 days of {{convert|90|F|0}}+ highs, 9.4 days where the temperature does not rise above freezing, and 4.8 days with {{convert|10|F|0}} or lower minima.
=Climate=
{{Weather box
|location = Kennett, Missouri
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 44.9
|Feb high F = 50.2
|Mar high F = 60.4
|Apr high F = 71.3
|May high F = 80.1
|Jun high F = 88.9
|Jul high F = 91.6
|Aug high F = 91.5
|Sep high F = 84.5
|Oct high F = 73.6
|Nov high F = 59.9
|Dec high F = 47.5
|year high F= 70.4
|Jan low F = 25.8
|Feb low F = 29.5
|Mar low F = 37.9
|Apr low F = 47.9
|May low F = 57.8
|Jun low F = 66.5
|Jul low F = 69.8
|Aug low F = 67.7
|Sep low F = 59.1
|Oct low F = 47.1
|Nov low F = 38.3
|Dec low F = 28.9
|year low F= 48.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.67
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.04
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.54
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.87
|May precipitation inch = 5.49
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.53
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.57
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.32
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.32
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.49
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.40
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.90
|year precipitation inch=
| Jan snow inch = 3.1
| Feb snow inch = 2.7
| Mar snow inch = .5
| Apr snow inch = 0
| May snow inch = 0
| Jun snow inch = 0
| Jul snow inch = 0
| Aug snow inch = 0
| Sep snow inch = 0
| Oct snow inch = 0
| Nov snow inch = trace
| Dec snow inch = .9
|year snow inch = 7.2
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 7.5
| Feb precipitation days = 8.3
| Mar precipitation days = 9.1
| Apr precipitation days = 9.2
| May precipitation days = 9.7
| Jun precipitation days = 7.4
| Jul precipitation days = 7.0
| Aug precipitation days = 5.4
| Sep precipitation days = 6.5
| Oct precipitation days = 7.4
| Nov precipitation days = 8.4
| Dec precipitation days = 8.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = .9
| Feb snow days = 1.5
| Mar snow days = .1
| Apr snow days = 0
| May snow days = 0
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0
| Nov snow days = 0
| Dec snow days = .6
}}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1880= 171
|1890= 302
|1900= 1509
|1910= 3033
|1920= 3622
|1930= 4128
|1940= 6335
|1950= 8685
|1960= 9098
|1970= 10090
|1980= 10145
|1990= 10941
|2000= 11260
|2010= 10932
|2020= 10515
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
}}
The Kennett Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Dunklin County.
As of 2000 the median household income was $26,088 and the median family income was $34,167. Males had a median income of $29,958 versus $18,770 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,397. Living below the poverty line were 26.1% of the population and 20.5% of families. Those living below the poverty line were 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 24.0% of those 65 and older.
=2020 census=
The 2020 United States census{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-17 |website=data.census.gov}} counted 10,515 people, 4,252 households, and 2,662 families in Kennett. The population density was 1,502.1 per square mile (579.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 4,837 housing units at an average density of 691.0 per square mile (266.6/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 71.27% (7,494) white, 18.46% (1,941) black or African-American, 0.2% (21) Native American, 0.6% (63) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 2.61% (274) from other races, and 6.86% (721) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 5.7% (575) of the population.
Of the 4,252 households, 24.3% had children under the age of 18; 38.9% were married couples living together; 31.6% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 29.1% consisted of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.8.
23.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 84.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 82.6 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-17|website=data.census.gov}} estimates show that the median household income was $40,857 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,064) and the median family income was $55,915 (+/- $4,916). Males had a median income of $33,403 (+/- $12,178) versus $22,135 (+/- $2,919) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $25,639 (+/- $2,302). Approximately, 12.4% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.1% of those under the age of 18 and 8.8% of those ages 65 or over.
=2010 census=
As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 8, 2012}} of 2010, there were 10,932 people, 4,377 households, and 2,849 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1570.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,863 housing units at an average density of {{convert|698.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 80.1% White, 16.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 4,377 households, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.95.
The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
Government
Kennett is located in Missouri's 8th congressional district in southeastern Missouri and is the county seat of Dunklin County, Missouri.{{cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}
The city of Kennett is governed by a city council with 10 elected city council members with the mayor acting as the presiding officer.{{cite web |title=Government: Kennett, Missouri, Chamber of Commerce |url=http://www.kennettmo.com/government.php |access-date=2019-04-05}}
Education
Kennett has six public schools operated by the Kennett School District 39. The pre-school is called Kennett Early Learning Center. The elementary schools are South Elementary School and H. Byron Masterson Elementary School. The other schools are Kennett Middle School, Kennett High School, and Kennett Career and Technical Center.{{cite web |url=http://www.kennett.k12.mo.us/schools.php |title=Kennett School District #39 |access-date=November 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027112507/http://www.kennett.k12.mo.us/schools.php |archive-date=October 27, 2008 }} Kennett High School's baseball team won the class 4 state championship in 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.mshsaa.org/Activities/DistrictWinners.aspx?alg=3&class=4&year=2020 |title=2020–2021 Class 4 Spring Season Baseball State Tournament |date=June 3, 2021 |website=MSHSAA |access-date=August 17, 2021 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.semoball.com/story/2887759.html |title=Indian uprising: Kennett goes off on Blair Oaks in 16–5 state championship rout |date=June 4, 2021 |website=semoball |first=Tom |last=Davis |access-date=August 17, 2021 }}
Kennett Christian Academy is a co-ed, private school affiliated with the First United Pentecostal Church that opened in 1979 and offers elementary through high school classes.{{cite web |url=http://www.kennettmo.com/education.php |title=Kennett, Missouri Chamber of Commerce - Education |access-date=June 15, 2019 }}
Kennett is home to two higher education branch institutions. Southeast Missouri State University at Kennett is a branch of the Cape Girardeau main campus and Three Rivers College (Missouri) is a branch of the Poplar Bluff main campus.
Kennett has a public library, the Dunklin County Library.{{cite web | url=http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610012728/http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 10, 2017 | title=Missouri Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=June 2, 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://dunklin-co.lib.mo.us/ |title=Dunklin County Library |access-date=June 15, 2019 }}
Media
The Delta Dunklin Democrat serves as the area's local newspaper.{{cite web |url=https://www.dddnews.com/ |title=Delta Dunklin Democrat |access-date=June 15, 2019 }}
Transportation
Kennett Memorial Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located one nautical mile (1.85 km) southeast of the central business district of Kennett.{{FAA-airport|ID=TKX|use=PU|own=PU|site=11822.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective February 11, 2010.
Notable people
{{columns-list|colwidth=35em|
- Sheryl Crow, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter{{cite book|last=Hogg|first=Karen|title=Guitar Styles -- Women in Rock: The Guitarist's Guide to Music of the Masters|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GzxugzcadQsC&pg=PA16|date=April 1, 2001|publisher=Alfred Music Publishing|isbn=978-0-7390-2016-6|page=16}}
- John M. Dalton, former Missouri governor
- Gene Handley, professional baseball player
- Will Johnson, singer/songwriter and member of band Monsters of Folk
- Paul C. Jones, former congressman from Missouri
- Dan Landrum, hammered dulcimer player who tours with Yanni
- Fred Lasswell, cartoonist of Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
- David Nail, country music recording artist
- Gib Singleton, sculptor, Fulbright Scholar
- Sally Stapleton, Pulitzer-winning photojournalist
- Jeff Stone, former left fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Trent Tomlinson, country singer
- Orville Zimmerman, United States Representative for Missouri's 10th congressional district, was a member of Kennett's board of education, 1928–1936
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- [https://www.cityofkennettmo.com/ City of Kennett official website]
- [http://www.kennettmo.com/ Kennett Chamber of Commerce]
- Historic maps of Kennett in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138841 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the University of Missouri
{{Dunklin County, Missouri}}
{{Missouri county seats}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Cities in Dunklin County, Missouri