Eldon, Missouri

Eldon is a city in Miller County, Missouri, United States, located 30 mi southwest of Jefferson City. The population was 4,416 as of the 2020 census.

History
Eldon was platted in 1881, and according to tradition, named after a railroad official. A post office called Eldon has been in operation since 1881.

Since 1987, Eldon hosts a Turkey Festival held every year typically on the last Saturday of September.

2019 tornado
On the night of May 22, 2019, a tornado touched down west of Eldon. It came through Eldon damaging many homes and businesses. The same tornado struck Jefferson City later in the evening.

Geography
Eldon is in northwestern Miller County. The city is served by U.S. Route 54 and Missouri Routes 52 and 87. Jefferson City is 30 mi to the northeast, while the city of Lake Ozark is 12 mi to the south. Bagnell Dam, which forms the Lake of the Ozarks, is 11 mi south of Eldon.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Eldon has a total area of 3.56 sqmi, all land. The city sits on high ground: the northwest side of the city drains toward South Moreau Creek, part of the Moreau River watershed flowing to the Missouri River, while the northeast side of the city is the source of Blythes Creek, a tributary of South Moreau Creek. The southeast side of Eldon drains into Saline Creek, a tributary of the Osage River, which in turn flows northeasterly to the Missouri.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,567 people, 1,984 households, and 1,158 families living in the city. The population density was 1282.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,242 housing units at an average density of 629.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 1,984 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.6% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 38.7 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,895 people, 2,194 households, and 1,270 families living in the city. The population density was 1,450.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,396 housing units at an average density of 709.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.14% White, 0.33% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 2,194 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,103, and the median income for a family was $34,621. Males had a median income of $27,818 versus $17,690 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,015. 15.8% of the population and 12.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.5% of those under the age of 18 and 16.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Education
Education in the city of Eldon is provided by two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. It also includes the Eldon Career Center, which provides quality training in many technical fields. Eldon has a public library, a branch of the Heartland Regional Library System.

Popular culture
The television show Petticoat Junction, which aired from 1963 to 1970, was based on the Burris Hotel that existed in this small railroad town in the Midwest. Paul Henning, the producer and creator of the show, was married to the granddaughter of the owner of the hotel and often visited.

Notable people

 * Christian Cantwell, 2008 Olympic shot-put silver medalist
 * Lloyd Dane, early NASCAR champion
 * Jim Golden, baseball player
 * William Mueller, professional wrestler known under the names "Trevor Murdoch" and "Jethro Holiday"
 * Harley Race, professional wrestler