Sullivan, Missouri

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title: "Sullivan, Missouri" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-in-crawford-county,-missouri", "cities-in-franklin-county,-missouri", "1856-establishments-in-missouri", "cities-in-missouri", "sundown-towns-in-missouri"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan,_Missouri" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameSullivan, Missouri
official_nameCity of Sullivan
settlement_typeCity
image_mapFranklin_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Sullivan_Highlighted.svg
mapsize250px
map_captionLocation of Sullivan, Missouri
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameUnited States
subdivision_type1State
subdivision_name1Missouri
subdivision_type2Counties
subdivision_name2Franklin, Crawford
government_footnotes
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameDennis Watz
leader_title1City Clerk
leader_name1Jan Koch
leader_title2City Administrator
leader_name2J.T. Hardy
established_titleFounded
established_date1856
established_title1Incorporated
established_date11883
named_forStephen Sullivan
unit_prefImperial
area_footnotes
area_total_km221.21
area_land_km221.21
area_water_km20.00
area_total_sq_mi8.19
area_land_sq_mi8.19
area_water_sq_mi0.00
population_as_of2020
population_total6906
population_density_km2325.59
population_density_sq_mi843.22
timezoneCentral (CST)
utc_offset-6
timezone_DSTCDT
utc_offset_DST-5
elevation_footnotes
elevation_ft974
coordinates
postal_code_typeZIP Code
postal_code63080
area_code573
blank_nameFIPS code
blank_info29-71440
blank1_nameGNIS feature ID
blank1_info2395998
website
::

|name = Sullivan, Missouri |official_name = City of Sullivan |settlement_type = City |nickname = |motto =

|image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = |image_seal =

|image_map = Franklin_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Sullivan_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location of Sullivan, Missouri |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 =

|subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Missouri |subdivision_type2 = Counties |subdivision_name2 = Franklin, Crawford |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Dennis Watz |leader_title1 = City Clerk |leader_name1 = Jan Koch |leader_title2 = City Administrator |leader_name2 = J.T. Hardy |established_title = Founded |established_date = 1856 |established_title1 = Incorporated |established_date1 = 1883 |named_for = Stephen Sullivan

|unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 21.21 |area_land_km2 = 21.21 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_total_sq_mi = 8.19 |area_land_sq_mi = 8.19 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00

|population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 6906 |population_density_km2 = 325.59 |population_density_sq_mi = 843.22

|timezone = Central (CST) |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = 974 |coordinates = |postal_code_type = ZIP Code |postal_code = 63080 |area_code = 573 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 29-71440 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2395998 |website = |footnotes = |pop_est_footnotes = |pop_est_as_of = |population_est = Sullivan is a city that straddles the border of Franklin and Crawford counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 6,906 at the 2020 census.

History

On January 28, 1839, 120 acres were conveyed by the U.S. Government to Garretson (also spelled Garrison) P. Hardy. Purchased according to provisions of the Act of Congress for the sale of public lands (dated April 1820). Then in June 1848, Garretson sold the acreage to William & Mary Smith for $150. In June 1856, Stephen & Dorcas Sullivan purchased the acreage, plus an additional 49 acres from Smith for the sum of $400. This was the future site of the original town. On July 25, 1856, when a post office was established in present-day Sullivan, the local postmaster named the place "Mount Helicon". This short-lived name was after an actual mountain in Greece that was the mythical sanctuary of the Muses. In 1859, Stephen Sullivan donated ground for railroad right-of-way and built the depot himself. The railroad named the station “Sullivan” prompting the post office to change to Sullivan.

Between 1920 and 1960, the city grew from 900 to more than 4,000 residents, making Sullivan the second fastest-growing city in the state during that time.

The Maj. Gen. William S. Harney Summer Home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Geography

Sullivan is located on the Franklin-Crawford county line at the intersection of Interstate 44 and Missouri Route 185. The Meramec River flows through Meramec State Park just to the east of the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.2 sqmi, all land.

Government

Governed by a Mayor and six members of the Board of Aldermen and assisted by a City Administrator, the City oversees a budget of $25 million. The City of Sullivan provides services in the areas of electric distribution, water, sewer, streets, aviation, parks and recreation, engineering, economic development, solid waste collection and law enforcement with a total of 60 full-time employees. The city operates on a very solid financial basis as demonstrated in its reserves. The local tax levy of 43.39 cents and utility rates are among the lowest in the area. A two cent sales tax for general revenue, capital improvements, and transportation provides the largest revenue source.

The Board of Aldermen meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The Board relies on the aid and counsel of numerous boards and commissions, including the Planning & Zoning, Airport Board, Industrial Development Authority and Board of Adjustment that meet as needed. The Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Demographics

|1880= 155 |1900= 714 |1910= 934 |1920= 909 |1930= 2013 |1940= 2517 |1950= 3019 |1960= 4098 |1970= 5111 |1980= 5461 |1990= 5661 |2000= 6351 |2010= 7081 |2020= 6906 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census

As late as 1990, Sullivan allegedly had a sundown town sign warning Blacks against being present in Sullivan after dark. While Missouri is 11.6% Black according to the US census definition, in the 2010 census 0.2% of the population of Sullivan was Black. In 2014, a group of 15 white schoolgirls blackened their faces for a game of powderpuff football, prompting national media coverage. A few months prior, as protests took place in Ferguson, MO after the police killing of Michael Brown, the KKK held a rally in the Sullivan area, prompting the town's mayor to write a formal denouncement of racial bigotry in the area. Attempting to overcome past prejudices, the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce selected Stefan Wehmeyer, an African American, as the community's 2017 Man of the Year. Later that year to open Life House Youth Center, a non-profit youth center that assists children with homework, learning, counseling, socializing, and sports/exercise etc. It has a game room with video and board games along with a fenced off basketball/volleyball court. Amenities and services are open to all children between the ages of 10-17 free of charge.

As of 2024, Tougaloo College maintains Sullivan's listing as a sundown town. However, the college's assessment reads that Sullivan is "probably not [still a sundown town], although very few Black people."

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 6,906 people, 3,061 households, and 1,789 families living in the city. The population density was 842.2 PD/sqmi. There were 3,174 housing units at an average density of 387.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,061 households, of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 34% had a female householder with no husband present, 20.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.5% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.66.

The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,081 people, 2,829 households, and 1,793 families living in the city. The population density was 896.3 PD/sqmi. There were 3,136 housing units at an average density of 397.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 2,829 households, of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.6% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 35.6 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,351 people, 2,585 households, and 1,682 families living in the city. The population density was 828.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,775 housing units at an average density of 362.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.38% White, 0.20% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 2,585 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread over several age groups: 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,046, and the median income for a family was $36,260. Males had a median income of $29,817 versus $20,385 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,518. About 6.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public education in Sullivan is administered by Sullivan School District, which operates one primary school, one elementary school, one middle school and Sullivan High School.

St. Anthony Catholic School is a private institution which operates for Pre-K through eighth grade.

Sullivan has a public library, a branch of the Scenic Regional Library system.

Notable people

Historic places

References

References

  1. "Welcome to City of Sullivan, MO - City_council".
  2. "Welcome to City of Sullivan, MO - City_clerk".
  3. "Welcome to City of Sullivan, MO - Administration".
  4. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
  5. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  6. {{GNIS. 2395998
  7. "Franklin County Place Names, 1928–1945 (archived)". The State Historical Society of Missouri.
  8. Eaton, David Wolfe. (1916). "How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named". The State Historical Society of Missouri.
  9. "City of Sullivan - History".
  10. {{NRISref
  11. ''Missouri Atlas & Gazetteer,'' DeLorme, 1998, First edition, p. 47, {{ISBN. 0-89933-224-2
  12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  13. "Local Government".
  14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
  15. Loewen, James W.. (2005). "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism". The New Press.
  16. (11 February 2018). "From the Green Book to Facebook, how black people still need to outwit racists in rural America". [[The Guardian]].
  17. "Fact Finder".
  18. "Fact Finder".
  19. (November 19, 2014). "Students at Sullivan High wore blackface during powder-puff football game".
  20. (August 18, 2014). "KKK planning a gathering in Sullivan, MO". Fox 2 KTVI.
  21. (21 February 2018). "Sullivan Chamber Awards Honors with Record Attendance".
  22. "About us".
  23. "Sullivan: History & Social Justice".
  24. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  25. (January 12, 2021). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Franklin County, MO". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
  26. Geography Division. (January 12, 2021). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Crawford County, MO". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
  27. "St. Anthony School".
  28. "Locations and Hours". Scenic Regional Library.
  29. "Major General Villiam S. Hag.ney Summer Home". United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

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cities-in-crawford-county,-missouricities-in-franklin-county,-missouri1856-establishments-in-missouricities-in-missourisundown-towns-in-missouri