Excelsior Springs, Missouri
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Excelsior Springs is a city in Clay and Ray County, Missouri. The population was 10,847 at the 2000 census. It is located approximately 30 miles northeast of central Kansas City, MO and is the largest city in about a ten mile radius.
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[edit] Economy
It has experienced economic growth as well as economic problems. It has gained a couple fast food chains; Arby's and Applebee's, as well as McDonald's relocating toward 69 Highway. In the spring of 2006, the Wal-Mart store in the town underwent renovations and is now the Excelsior Springs Wal-Mart Supercenter. There are also hopes that a strip mall will be built along the highway near the fast food restaurants and Wal-Mart.[citation needed] The American Italian Pasta Company plant located in the town has been experiencing economic problems, however. It has been one of the city's main workforce providers and economic drivers, but recent news has said that the plant is headed for bankruptcy.[citation needed]
[edit] Geography
Excelsior Springs is located at (39.341492, -94.230716)GR1, along the East Fork Fishing River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.5 km² (9.8 mi²). 25.4 km² (9.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.20%) is water.
The city has a diverse terrain, with many hills and valleys. Downtown Excelsior Springs itself is located in the bottom of one of the largest valleys in the area.[citation needed] The hills surrounding the valley rise above it at 100-170 feet, towering over the two ten-floor highrises (senior-citizen housing) downtown. The city is well-known for its many springs, though several of these have been dry for years. The springs and underground water that still exists contributes to flooding, however. This is especially true in the downtown areas, which after enough rain can be 7-10 feet underwater.[citation needed] The amount of pavement and groundwater are also significant contributing factors.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 10,847 people, 4,079 households, and 2,777 families residing in the city. The population density was 426.5/km² (1,104.9/mi²). There were 4,426 housing units at an average density of 174.0/km² (450.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.29% White, 3.36% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.85% of the population.
There were 4,079 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,657, and the median income for a family was $46,284. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $22,336 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,718. About 7.3% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Local activities
Excelsior Springs sports a quaint historic downtown district, which is currently undergoing renewed business. Once haunted by empty buildings and numerous antique stores, there are now a quilt shop, an art store, and several small bistros alongside the old antique stores.
The Excelsior Springs Hall of Waters, the city hall, contains the record-holding World's Longest Water Bar.[citation needed] From the water bar many of the town's unique mineral waters can be purchased, for which it was nationally known at the beginning of the 1900s. Excelsior Springs is also home of the famous Elms Hotel where Harry Truman stayed on the night of his 1948 presidential election.
Each Halloween, a haunted house called The Cavern of Terror, is open in a cave called Rocky Hollow, an old quarry on the outskirts of Excelsior Springs. Although Missouri boasts thousands of caves, Rocky Hollow is the only haunted house in the state located within a cave.[citation needed]
Excelsior springs is also the home of one of the best dinner theater in the Northland, Paradise Playhouse. More info can be found at www.paradiseplayhouse.com (external link below)
[edit] Excelsior Springs schools
[edit] Excelsior Springs School District
- Excelsior Springs High School
- Excelsior Springs Area Career Center
- Excelsior Springs Middle School
- Lewis Elementary School
- Westview Elementary School
- Elkhorn Elementary School
[edit] External links
- Excelsior Springs town website
- Excelsior Springs School District
- Dinner theater
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
| Metropolitan area of Kansas City |  |
|---|---|
| Central City: Kansas City, Missouri Largest cities (over 100,000 in 2000): Independence • Kansas City, Kansas • Olathe • Overland Park Largest towns and villages (over 10,000 in 2000): Blue Springs • Belton • Excelsior Springs • Gladstone • Grandview • Lansing • Leawood • Leavenworth • Lee's Summit • Lenexa • Liberty •Merriam •Ottawa • Prairie Village • Raymore • Raytown • Shawnee Counties: Jackson • Clay • Cass • Platte • Lafayette • Ray • Clinton • Bates • Caldwell • Johnson • Wyandotte • Leavenworth • Miami • Franklin • Linn |
