Perryville was selected the county seat of Perry County by Robert T. Brown, Joseph Tucker, and Thomas Riney, who had been appointed to select the seat of justice.[6] In 1821, Bernard Layton deeded 51 acres (210,000 m2) to the commissioners in exchange for one town lot. Fifty-three of the 99 town lots were sold for $1,486.25, which was used to build the first courthouse. The current courthouse is the third such structure. It was built in 1904 at a cost of $30,000. Perryville and Perry County were named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, Naval hero of the War of 1812.[7][8]
An early store in Perryville was a log structure built by Jean Ferdinand Rozier on the north side of the square.[9] An extant two-story brick building was built in 1830. The upper story serves as the first town hall. Perryville was first incorporated in 1837, but the incorporation was allowed to lapse.[citation needed]
As both merchandisers and consumers grew in sophistication, so did the types of establishments in the county. Built in 1843, the Hoose Hotel, often called the "white house",[5] was a prominent structure in early commercial days. The Hoose Hotel served as a hotel, a brewery and an auction block.[citation needed]
In 1856, the town was again incorporated and by 1874 it had its first fire engine. Fourth Class City status was attained in 1879 and the following year Charles A. Weber was elected its first mayor.[10] With the building of the Chester, Perryville and Ste. Genevieve Railway, prosperity came.
Largely because of its role as the seat of county government and because of its central location, Perryville began to develop as the major commercial and service center in Perry County. The population increased from 897 in 1890 to 1275 in 1900. Telephone service started in 1893.[11]
On February 28, 2017, an EF4 tornado tore through Perryville, causing widespread EF3 and some EF4 damage in and around the city. One person was killed.
Geography
Perryville is located in central Perry County approximately seven miles from the Mississippi River. Cinque Hommes Creek flows past the south side of the city. I-55 and U.S. Route 61 pass on the west and east sides of the city respectively.[12]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.96 square miles (20.62 km2), of which 7.80 square miles (20.20 km2) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) is water.[13]
Climate
Climate data for Perryville Water Treatment Plant, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present)
The 2020 United States census[17] counted 8,555 people, 3,357 households, and 2,107 families in Perryville. The population density was 1,048.4 per square mile (404.7/km2). There were 3,717 housing units at an average density of 455.5 per square mile (175.8/km2). The racial makeup was 90.3% (7,725) white, 0.95% (81) black or African-American, 0.3% (26) Native American, 1.17% (100) Asian, 0.0% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.8% (154) from other races, and 5.48% (469) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.4% (290) of the population.
Of the 3,357 households, 29.2% had children under the age of 18; 48.0% were married couples living together; 30.8% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 30.9% consisted of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.
24.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 85.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 81.1 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[18] estimates show that the median household income was $51,601 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,622) and the median family income was $74,393 (+/- $11,149). Males had a median income of $40,898 (+/- $7,484) versus $23,831 (+/- $3,006) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,694 (+/- $2,690). Approximately, 9.9% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census[19] of 2010, there were 8,225 people, 3,288 households, and 2,078 families living in the city. The population density was 1,054.5 inhabitants per square mile (407.1/km2). There were 3,588 housing units at an average density of 460.0 per square mile (177.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.33% White, 0.75% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.07% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.
There were 3,288 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.1% 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 2.42 and the average family size was 3.00.
The median age in the city was 36.5 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 7,667 people, 3,031 households, and 1,991 families living in the city. The population density was 1,010.3 inhabitants per square mile (390.1/km2). There were 3,284 housing units at an average density of 432.7 per square mile (167.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.47% White, 1.32% Asian, 0.25% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.
There were 3,031 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,934, and the median income for a family was $43,072. Males had a median income of $27,115 versus $19,736 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,630. About 5.9% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Two of the largest employers in the city are TG Missouri, a division of Toyoda Gosei, and Gilster-Mary Lee.
Manufacturers in Perryville include:
Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation, which has as 125,000-square-foot (11,600 m2) baking mix plant and a 185,000-square-foot (17,200 m2) breakfast cereal plant.[20] Also in the Perryville area are
Sabreliner Corporation, a company which provides maintenance and overhauling for both military and business jet aircraft engines;
Seguin Moreau, a French wine barrel manufacturer, that mills barrel staves and heads from Perry County's white oak forests to supply its cooperage in Napa, California. The cooperage uses the wood it gets from Perry County to produce American oak wine barrels for the international wine industry; and
TG Missouri Corporation, a subsidiary of the Japanese company Toyoda Gosei, manufactures airbags, steering wheels and interior trim pieces for automobile manufacturers, most notably Toyota.
BBL Buildings and Components and Stark Truss, both of whom manufacture building trusses for commercial and residential construction.
Arts and culture
Festivals
Two festivals are held annually in Perryville, Mayfest which is held on the courthouse square in May, and the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary Picnic which is held on the seminary fairgrounds each August.[21][22]
The Perry Park Center, located in the city park, features an aquatics center, gymnasium, performing arts center, movie theatre, library, and sports facilities.[24]
Government
Perryville has a mayor/city council form of government. The mayor is Larry Riney.[25] The city council consists of six aldermen, two from each of three wards. Each is elected for two-year terms.[26]
^The Centennial History of Perry County Missouri 1821-1921 Committee of Citizens 1921 reprinted by the Perry County Historical Society; Perryville MO: 1984
^"Station: Perryville WTP, MO". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
