Waynesville is a city in and the county seat of Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. Its population was 5,406 at the 2020 census. Located in the Missouri Ozarks, it was once served by Route 66.
History
Waynesville was platted in 1839. The city was named for Anthony Wayne. The post office in Waynesville has been in operation since 1834.
During the American Civil War, units of the 5th Missouri State Militia were sometimes garrisoned at Waynesville.
Geography
Waynesville is located on Roubidoux Creek, approximately south of the Gasconade River. The northern boundary of Fort Leonard Wood is about to the south. The Roubidoux Spring, 15th largest in the state, is located in the city limits. The Roubidoux Spring was also a stop on the infamous Trail of Tears.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 4,830 people, 1,894 households, and 1,252 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,088 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the city was 73.6% White, 12.4% African American, 1.1% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.1% of the population.
There were 1,894 households, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present and 33.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04.
The median age was 32.6 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24;, 30.6% were from 25 to 44, 21.2% were from 45 to 64 and 11.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender make-up of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 3,507 people, 1,428 households and 922 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,591 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the city was 79.70% White, 10.98% African American, 0.94% Native American, 2.88% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races and 3.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.11% of the population.
There were 1,428 households, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.93.
27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.0 males.
The median household income was $41,250 and the median family income was $46,205. Males had a median income of $31,435 and females $23,640. The per capita income was $19,117. About 9.5% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Climate
Waynesville experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), as does much of southern Missouri.
Government
Waynesville is classified a 3rd Class City with an elected mayor and city council.
Sean A. Wilson currently holds the office of Mayor. The current city council members are Rob Rice and Bill Farnham (Ward 1), Cecil V. Davis and Clarence Liberty (Ward 2), Ed Conley and Trudy Dils (Ward 3), and Amanda Koren and Robert Hyatt (Ward 4). John Doyle is the City Administrator, and Michele Brown is the City Clerk.
Education
Almost all of Waynesville is in Waynesville R-VI School District. A small portion is in Laquey R-V School District.
Waynesville Schools include Williams Early Childhood Development Center (Pre-K - Kindergarten), Wood Elementary (K-5), Pick Elementary (K-5), East Elementary (K-5), Freedom Elementary (K-5), Waynesville Sixth Grade Center (6th), Waynesville Middle School (7 & 8), and Waynesville High School (9-12).