Odessa, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Odessa, Missouri
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Odessa, Missouri in 2018
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Location of Odessa, Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Lafayette |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.13 sq mi (10.69 km2) |
| • Land | 4.10 sq mi (10.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 978 ft (298 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,593 |
| • Density | 1,365.48/sq mi (527.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
64076
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| Area code(s) | 816 |
| FIPS code | 29-54038 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395299 |
Odessa is the biggest city in Lafayette County, Missouri. It's part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. In 2020, about 5,593 people lived there. Odessa is right along Interstate 70, making it easy to visit. Its old downtown area has many unique shops and places to eat. The city also hosts fun events like Puddle Jumper Days, the Odessa Rodeo, and a Christmas lighting ceremony.
Contents
Discovering Odessa's Past
Odessa was first planned out in 1878. It was named after the city of Odesa, which is in Ukraine. A post office started operating in Odessa in 1879.
The Odessa Ice Cream Company Building is a special historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. This means it's an important building from the past.
Where is Odessa Located?
Odessa is a city that covers about 4.13 square miles (10.69 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The city is located about 45 minutes away from downtown Kansas City. It's also about three hours from St. Louis. This makes Odessa a good spot for travel and connections.
Odessa's Growing Population
Odessa has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 100 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,272 | 1,172.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,445 | 13.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,531 | 6.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,786 | 16.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,861 | 4.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,881 | 1.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,969 | 4.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,034 | 3.3% | |
| 1970 | 2,839 | 39.6% | |
| 1980 | 3,088 | 8.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,695 | 19.7% | |
| 2000 | 4,818 | 30.4% | |
| 2010 | 5,300 | 10.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,593 | 5.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Odessa?
In 2010, there were 5,300 people living in Odessa. Most residents were White (94.8%). There were also smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 2.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households in Odessa had children under 18. The average age of people in the city was about 35 years old. This means it's a mix of younger families and older residents.
Learning and Schools in Odessa
The Odessa R-7 School District runs the local schools. This includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and Odessa High School.
Odessa also has a public library. It is a part of the Trails Regional Library system. Libraries are great places to read, learn, and find information.
Sports and Fun in Odessa
I-70 Motorsports Park is a cool place for racing fans. It first opened in 1969. After being closed for a while, it reopened in 2021. Now it has a dirt oval track and a dragstrip for exciting races.
The Odessa R-VII Bulldog Football Team has won state championships. They were the Missouri State High School Athletic Association Class 3 State Champions in 1994 and 2019.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
Dyer Park is one of the oldest and most popular parks in Odessa. It has many things to do, like a community building and a swimming pool. You can also find basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, and playgrounds. There's even a rodeo arena!
Lake Venita is located inside Dyer Park. It's a great spot for fishing. There's also a paved walking trail that is half a mile long.
The Odessa City Lake is southwest of the city. It's a large 90-acre lake where you can go fishing and hunt waterfowl. The city and the Missouri Department of Conservation work together to manage it. The lake area has a boat ramp, a dock, and picnic spots.
Local News and Media
Odessa has had a local newspaper since 1880. In 1942, two newspapers, the Odessa Democrat and The Ledger, joined together. They created The Odessan.
The Odessan is the biggest newspaper in Lafayette County. It comes out every week. It shares local news and sports from Odessa and nearby towns. These towns include Bates City, Mayview, Wellington, and Napoleon. The newspaper is a family-owned business that has been around for four generations.
Famous People from Odessa
Many talented people have come from Odessa:
- Brenna Dowell - A gymnast who became a world champion in 2015.
- Tonya Evinger - A professional mixed martial artist.
- Jim Fitterling - The chairman and CEO of Dow, Inc. He graduated from Odessa High School.
- Terin Humphrey - An Olympic gymnast who won medals. She also graduated from Odessa High School.
- James Krause - A professional mixed martial artist.
- H. Owen Reed - A famous composer.
- Joe C. Specker - An Army sergeant who received the Medal of Honor after he passed away for his bravery in World War II.
- Brad Ziegler - A Major League Baseball pitcher. He went to Odessa High School.
Images for kids
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The Odessa Ice Cream Company Building was added to the registry of historic places.
See also
In Spanish: Odessa (Misuri) para niños
