Pleasant Hill, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pleasant Hill, Missouri
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Location of Pleasant Hill, Missouri
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| County | Cass and Jackson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.24 sq mi (21.34 km2) |
| • Land | 8.07 sq mi (20.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.17 sq mi (0.44 km2) |
| Elevation | 968 ft (295 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,777 |
| • Density | 1,087.74/sq mi (419.99/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
64080
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| Area code(s) | 816 |
| FIPS code | 29-58394 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396231 |
| Website | www.pleasanthill.com |
Pleasant Hill is a city located in Cass and Jackson counties, in the state of Missouri, United States. In 2020, about 8,777 people lived there. It is part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area.
Pleasant Hill is special because it hosts the National Weather Service Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, Missouri office. This office helps forecast weather for 37 counties in northern and western Missouri. It also serves seven counties in eastern Kansas.
Contents
History of Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill was first planned out in 1844 by William Wright. It was officially called the "Original Town of Pleasant Hill." Wright and a traveling Methodist preacher named William Ferrell ran a store together. The town was first located on a high ridge near the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. People named it for its "pleasant situation on an elevated prairie," meaning it was a nice spot on a high, flat area.
William Wright also ran a three-story inn, which was easy to spot because it had a 12-foot tall light on top. This inn was a popular overnight stop for stagecoaches. These coaches traveled between Lexington, Missouri and Fort Scott, Kansas.
Pleasant Hill During the Civil War
During the American Civil War in the 1860s, Pleasant Hill faced tough times. The town was deeply divided between different groups. Many violent attacks, known as bushwhacking incidents, happened there. One sad event involved the Christian and Presbyterian churches, which were built next to each other. The Presbyterian Church was burned down during this period.
In 1863, a special rule called General Order No. 11 (1863) forced all residents in the area to leave their homes. This was a very difficult time for the community.
Moving the City Center
After the war ended in 1865, people were allowed to return to Pleasant Hill. The city center then moved about a mile southwest, down the hill. This new location was closer to the Pacific Railroad line. The original town site is still part of the city today, but it is now known as "Old Town." The new city center was lower and next to Big Creek.
The Pleasant Hill Downtown Historic District was recognized as an important historical place in 1994. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
You can learn more about the town's past at the Pleasant Hill Historical Society Museum. This museum is in a building that includes parts of other old, historic buildings.
Rail Trails and Parks
In 2016, an old railroad line, once owned by the Pacific Railroad, became a new trail. This trail is now the western end of the 47-mile-long Rock Island Trail State Park (Missouri). This trail connects to the much longer, 240-mile Katy Trail State Park. These trails are part of the "Rails to Trails" program, which turns old railway lines into paths for walking and biking.
Geography and Location
Pleasant Hill is located in the northeastern part of Cass County. It sits where Missouri routes 7 and 58 meet. It is about ten miles north-northeast of Harrisonville. The city of Lee's Summit is also ten miles away, to the northwest, in nearby Jackson County. Big Creek flows along the western edge of the city.
The city covers a total area of about 8.18 square miles (21.2 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 8.01 square miles (20.7 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 0.17 square miles (0.44 square kilometers) is water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 2,554 | — | |
| 1880 | 2,372 | −7.1% | |
| 1890 | 2,217 | −6.5% | |
| 1900 | 2,002 | −9.7% | |
| 1910 | 2,065 | 3.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,965 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 2,330 | 18.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,118 | −9.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,200 | 3.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,689 | 22.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,396 | 26.3% | |
| 1980 | 3,301 | −2.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,827 | 15.9% | |
| 2000 | 5,582 | 45.9% | |
| 2010 | 8,113 | 45.3% | |
| 2020 | 8,777 | 8.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
The 2020 United States census counted 8,777 people living in Pleasant Hill. There were 3,147 households and 2,216 families. About 90% of the people identified as white. Around 3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Of the households, 33.7% had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.7 people. The average family had 3.2 people.
About 27.7% of the people were under 18 years old. The median age in the city was 33.5 years.
Population in 2010
In 2010, the city had 8,113 people. There were 2,959 households and 2,196 families. About 95.3% of the people were White. Around 3.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 42.7% of households had children under 18. The average household size was 2.71 people. The average family size was 3.13 people.
The median age in 2010 was 33.7 years. About 29.5% of residents were under 18 years old.
Education in Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill is the main part of the Pleasant Hill R-3 School District. This school district also serves students from nearby areas like Strasburg, East Lynne, and parts of Cass County.
The schools in Pleasant Hill include:
- Primary School (Grades K-2): Pleasant Hill Primary School
- Elementary School (Grades 3-4): Pleasant Hill Elementary School
- Intermediate School (Grades 5-6): Pleasant Hill Intermediate School
- Middle School (Grades 7-8): Pleasant Hill Middle School
- High School: Pleasant Hill High School
Pleasant Hill also has a public library. It is a branch of the Cass County Public Library, where you can borrow books and use computers.
See also
In Spanish: Pleasant Hill (Misuri) para niños
