Sikeston (pronounced sīks´ten), which was founded by John Sikes (1816-1867) in 1860, is a city located in New Madrid and Scott County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 16,992.
Geography
Sikeston is located at 36°52'46" North, 89°35'7" West (36.879570, -89.585172)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.9 km² (18.1 mi²). 46.4 km² (17.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.94% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 16,992 people, 6,779 households, and 4,602 families residing in the city. The population density is 365.9/km² (947.4/mi²). There are 7,428 housing units at an average density of 160.0/km² (414.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 75.52% White, 22.36% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,779 households out of which 33.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% are married couples living together, 17.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% are non-families. 28.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.45 and the average family size is 2.98.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,589, and the median income for a family is $36,420. Males have a median income of $31,846 versus $19,623 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,509. 21.0% of the population and 16.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 33.3% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Attractions
- Lambert's Cafe - The original "Home of the Throwed Rolls"
- Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo [1]
- The Sikeston Depot, a train depot on the National Registry of Historic Places, built in 1916 is now used as a cultural center and museum.
Trivia
- The first Drury Inn was built in Sikeston.
Military History
Sikeston's ___location during The Civil War (1861-1865) held some importance due its railroad and road ___location. Union Brigadier General John Pope marched into Sikeston in February 1862 and was attacked by a small group of rebels led by Confederate General M. Jeff Thompson, also known as the Swamp Fox. During World War I, an infantry company was organized in Sikeston from 1917 until the end of the war. During World War II the Sikeston Municipal Airport was known as Harvey Parks Airport and was the site of Missouri Institute of Aeronautics, being established after General Hap Arnold asked the flight training operations to triple their enrollments. Sikeston is the home to Missouri National Guard unit Company C 1140th Engineer Battalion which took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 until February 2005.
Medicine
Missouri Delta Medical Center was founded in Sikeston in 1948. The hospital typically employs over 600 healthcare providers.
Journalism
Newspapers: The Sikeston Standard-Democrat derives its name from Sikeston's two previous newspapers -- The Daily Standard and The Democrat Advertiser. The Daily Standard was founded in 1911 and became a daily newspaper in 1950. Previous Sikeston newspapers include The Sikeston Star which was founded in 1884 and The Sikeston Herald which was founded in 1903. The high school newspaper is known as The Bulldog Barker.
Music
Sikeston has long been associated with country music. Some previous performers at the local rodeo have included Kenny Rogers in 1977 and Loretta Lynn in 1983 with Charlie Daniels and Lee Greenwood performing multiple times. Upon his visit, Kenny Rogers donated an Arabian stallion to be auctioned off to bring money to the local cerebral palsy center which in appreciation changed its name to the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center.
Transportation
Sikeston is located at the intersection of I-55 and I-57. Other Sikeston highways include U.S. Highway 60, U.S. Highway 61, and U.S. Highway 62.
Sister cities
Sikeston's sister city has been Yeochun City, Korea.