Festus is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. It had a population of 11,602 individuals as of the 2010 census. Festus and its particular neighbor Crystal City are often collectively known as the "Twin Cities".
Geography
Festus is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land.
History
Festus was first called Tanglefoot, and under the latter name was platted in 1878. A post office called Festus has been in operation since 1883.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 11,602 people, 4,636 households, and 3,036 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 4,972 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 3.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2%. Of the 4,636 households 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couplesliving together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of households were one person and 12.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.04. The median agewas 34.9 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
At the 2000 census there were 9,660 people, 1,000 households, and 2,606 families living in the city. The population density was 2,020.2 people per square mile. There were 4,040 housing units at an average density of 844.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% White, 3.93% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04%. Of the 3,861 households 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% were non-families. 28.0% of households were one person and 12.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97. The age distribution was 5.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males. Males had a median income of $36,159 versus $25,108 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,035. About 7.0% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
In popular culture
Festus is the home of the alt-country band The Bottle Rockets. The town is mentioned in the 1974 country song " The Jet Set," in which George Jones and Tammy Wynette sing about road tripping around the Midwestern and Southern part of the United States in a Chevrolet while falling in love. The Drunken Peasants podcast had a running gag in the form of a feud with Brett Keane, a YouTuber and resident of Festus. The feud involved satirizing aspects of Festus.
