Hannibal, Missouri

Hannibal (America's Hometown) is a city in Marion and Ralls County, Missouri. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census.

History and landmarks

It is the boyhood home of Mark Twain and the model for the setting of his The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Historical sites related to Mark Twain and sites depicted in his fiction have become an important part of the town's legacy.

In the Broadway musical Damn Yankees, Hannibal was the hometown of the protagonist's assumed persona.

Hannibal was also the birthplace of singer and actor Cliff Edwards ("Ukelele Ike") and 'The Unsinkable Molly' Brown. Other native sons include inventor Bill Lear and NBA basketball coach Cotton Fitzsimmons.

Geography

Hannibal is located at (39.704065, -91.377378). It is adjacent to the Mississippi River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.1 km² (15.1 mi²). 37.8 km² (14.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (3.12%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,757 people, 7,017 households, and 4,554 families residing in the city. The population density was 469.3/km² (1,215.3/mi²). There were 7,886 housing units at an average density of 208.4/km² (539.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.61% White, 6.57% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 7,017 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,892, and the median income for a family was $37,264. Males had a median income of $30,677 versus $20,828 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,902. About 11.3% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Hannibal High School ^* was founded in 1896. The current building was erected in 1932. As of 2004 the current enrollment is 1232 ninth through twelfth graders. The mascot of Hannibal High School is the Pirates and the athletic teams play in the North Central Missouri Conference of the Missouri State High School Sports Association. The "Black & Red" is one of America's oldest school newspaper. As of 2006 the principal is Darin Powell.

Newspaper

The Hannibal Courier-Post ^*is Missouri's oldest newspaper. It began publishing in 1837 and has a current daily press of 12,000.

Hannibal-LaGrange College

Hannibal-LaGrange College ^* is one of the premiere Christian liberal arts colleges in the state. Hannibal-LaGrange is a four-year liberal arts college fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1858 in LaGrange, Missouri, the campus moved downriver to Hannibal in 1928. Dr. Woodrow Burt was elected the 16th president of Hannibal-LaGrange College on February 10, 1995. The College offers more than 30 majors and has a student population of 1,150. HLG is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Division I. HLG competes in five men's sports, including soccer, basketball, baseball, cross country, and golf, and five women's sports, including soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, and cross country.

People connected with Hannibal

Attractions

External links

http://www.americashometown.info/
http://www.hlg.edu/default.asp Hannibal LaGrange-College-pages

Cities in Missouri | Marion County, Missouri | Cities on the Mississippi River | Quincy-Hannibal Area

Hannibal (Missouri) | Hannibal, Missouri | Hannibal, Missouri

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