Tallapoosa, Missouri

Tallapoosa is a city in southwestern New Madrid County, Missouri. It had a population of 168 at the 2010 census.

History[edit]

Tallapoosa came into existence in 1902 as a stop along the Houck Railroad (named for its owner, Louis Houck), which was extended through that part of New Madrid County at the time. Houck named it for one Mr. Sturdivant, a friend of his who had helped finance the railroad, and who originally hailed from Tallapoosa County, Alabama.^[1] A post office has operated in the town since 1915. Tallapoosa has always had a small population, peaking at 205 in the 1970 census.

Geography[edit]

Tallapoosa is located along Missouri State Highway 153 in southwestern New Madrid County, lying about seven miles northeast of Gideon and eight miles northwest of Portageville. Its exact coordinates are 36°30’27”N 89°49’08”W.

The city has a total land area of 0.45 square miles, and an average elevation of 272 feet.^[2]

Demographics[edit]

At the 2010 census, Tallapoosa had a total of 168 inhabitants, grouped into 68 households, with a population density of 373.3 people per square mile. This figure represented a significant decrease from the 2000 census, when Tallapoosa had a population of 204. 97.62% of the inhabitants were White, 1.79% were Native American, and 0.60% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 2.38% of the population.

The median age in Tallapoosa was 39.0 years, with 22.0% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 12.5% between 18 and 24 years old, 23.8% between 25 and 44, 27.4% between 45 and 64, and 14.3% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 56.0% male, 44.0% female.^[3]

According to the 2017 American Community Survey, the median household income in Tallapoosa was $31,042, and the median family income was $43,750. The unemployment rate was 25.5%. The per capita income was $11,102. About 37.7% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 44.6% of people under the age of 18 and 25.0% of people 65 years old or older.^[4]

Education[edit]

Tallapoosa itself falls within the Gideon 37 School District, though the region just to the east is covered by the Risco and Portageville School Districts.^[5]

References[edit]