Parma, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Parma, Missouri
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Downtown Parma in 2016
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Location of Parma, Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | New Madrid |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.64 sq mi (1.65 km2) |
| • Land | 0.64 sq mi (1.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 282 ft (86 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 555 |
| • Density | 869.91/sq mi (335.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
63870
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| Area code(s) | 573 |
| FIPS code | 29-56342 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0724048 |
Parma is a small city located in New Madrid County, Missouri, in the United States. In 2020, about 555 people lived there.
Contents
History of Parma
Parma started as a village in 1900. Around that time, it had two sawmills. These mills likely helped the community grow by processing wood.
In 1903, Parma and a nearby area called Lotta joined together. They kept the name "Parma" for the new, larger village. By 1905, Parma officially became a "fourth class city."
In 2015, Tyus Byrd made history. She became the first African-American woman mayor of Parma. She took over from Randall Ramsey, who had been mayor for 37 years. After Mayor Byrd was sworn in, some city staff members left their jobs.
Later, in 2019, the state auditor looked into the city's money records. The report showed that some city funds had been misused.
In April 2019, Mayor Byrd was not re-elected. Rufus Lee Williamson Jr. became the new mayor. Soon after, there were fires at the former mayor's house and at city hall. These fires damaged city records and computers.
Where is Parma Located?
Parma is found on Missouri Route 153. It is about one mile south of the border between Stoddard and New Madrid counties.
The city is located 6.5 miles northwest of Malden. It is also 15 miles west of New Madrid. The United States Census Bureau says Parma covers about 0.64 square miles (1.65 square kilometers) of land.
Parma's Population
Parma's population has changed over the years. Here is a look at how many people have lived there:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 905 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,241 | 37.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,051 | −15.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,187 | 12.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,163 | −2.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,060 | −8.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,051 | −0.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,081 | 2.9% | |
| 1990 | 995 | −8.0% | |
| 2000 | 852 | −14.4% | |
| 2010 | 713 | −16.3% | |
| 2020 | 555 | −22.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, the city had 713 people living in 283 households. About 36% of these households had children under 18. The average age of people in Parma was about 39.8 years old.
Most residents were White (67.46%) or Black/African American (29.45%). A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds. About 2.81% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Climate in Parma
Parma has a "Humid Subtropical Climate." This means it has long, hot summers. The winters are cool, and rain falls fairly evenly throughout the year.
Education in Parma
Public Schools Today
Currently, Parma does not have its own local school system. Students from Parma attend schools in the New Madrid County Central R-I School District. These schools are located in New Madrid.
History of Parma Schools
When Parma was first founded, it grew quickly. This growth led to the need for a school system. From the late 1890s to 1910, students learned in different one-room buildings.
The first building built just for school opened in 1910. By 1935, more students needed a bigger high school. The community voted to approve a plan to build a new school. Construction began in 1936, and classes started in the fall of 1937.
The school's gymnasium burned down in 1944. The people of Parma worked together again to raise money for a new gym. It was finished by the fall of 1944. The school's sports teams were called the Parma Pirates. They were a source of pride for the community.
In 1980, the Parma Consolidated School District No. 5 joined the New Madrid County Central R-I School District. Over many years, the old school buildings became run down. A large fire in 2010 destroyed the entire high school complex.
2017 School Memorial
In 2016, some former students and community leaders created the Parma School Memorial Committee. They worked hard to raise money for a large monument. This monument was built on the land where the old high school used to stand. The memorial was officially dedicated on July 1, 2017.
Public Library
Parma has a public library. It is a branch of the New Madrid County Library. This library allows people to borrow books and other materials.
Notable People from Parma
- Christene Merick, an American who gave money to help others, was born in Parma.
See also
In Spanish: Parma (Misuri) para niños
