Pulaski County, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pulaski County
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Old and new Pulaski County courthouses in Waynesville
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Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
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 Missouri's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 19, 1833 |
| Named for | Kazimierz Pułaski |
| Seat | Waynesville |
| Largest community | Fort Leonard Wood |
| Area | |
| • Total | 551 sq mi (1,430 km2) |
| • Land | 547 sq mi (1,420 km2) |
| • Water | 4.4 sq mi (11 km2) 0.8% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 53,955  |
| • Density | 98/sq mi (38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Pulaski County is a special area called a county in the state of Missouri. In 2020, about 53,955 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Waynesville.
The county was created in 1833. It was named after Kazimierz Pułaski. He was a brave Polish hero who fought and died in the American Revolution. Pulaski County is also home to Fort Leonard Wood. This is a big training base for the U.S. Army. Many people who live in the county are connected to this base.
Contents
Pulaski County History
The first people to live in Pulaski County were Native American tribes. These included the Quapaw, Missouria, and Osage people.
After the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored the area in the early 1800s, new settlers arrived. Many came from states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. The first pioneers settled around 1818.
The town of Waynesville became the county seat in 1833. It was chosen by the Missouri Legislature. Like the county, Waynesville is also named after a hero from the American Revolution, Mad Anthony Wayne.
Pulaski County Geography
Pulaski County covers a total area of about 551 square miles. Most of this area is land, about 547 square miles. The rest, about 4.4 square miles, is water.
Neighboring Counties
Pulaski County shares borders with several other counties:
- Miller County (to the northwest)
- Maries County (to the northeast)
- Phelps County (to the east)
- Texas County (to the south)
- Laclede County (to the southwest)
- Camden County (to the west)
Protected Natural Areas
Part of the Mark Twain National Forest is located within Pulaski County. This is a large protected area of forests and natural beauty.
Pulaski County Population
The number of people living in Pulaski County has changed over time. Here's a look at the population from different years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 6,529 | — | |
| 1850 | 3,998 | −38.8% | |
| 1860 | 3,835 | −4.1% | |
| 1870 | 4,714 | 22.9% | |
| 1880 | 7,250 | 53.8% | |
| 1890 | 9,387 | 29.5% | |
| 1900 | 10,394 | 10.7% | |
| 1910 | 11,438 | 10.0% | |
| 1920 | 10,490 | −8.3% | |
| 1930 | 10,755 | 2.5% | |
| 1940 | 10,775 | 0.2% | |
| 1950 | 10,392 | −3.6% | |
| 1960 | 46,567 | 348.1% | |
| 1970 | 53,781 | 15.5% | |
| 1980 | 42,011 | −21.9% | |
| 1990 | 41,307 | −1.7% | |
| 2000 | 41,165 | −0.3% | |
| 2010 | 52,274 | 27.0% | |
| 2020 | 53,955 | 3.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010 |
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In 2020, the population of Pulaski County was 53,955 people. The county is a mix of different backgrounds. About 66.5% of the people were White. Around 11.2% were Black or African American. Other groups included Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races. About 11.27% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Pulaski County Transportation
Getting around Pulaski County is easy with its roads and an airport.
Airport Access
The Waynesville Regional Airport at Forney Field serves the community. Even though it's on Fort Leonard Wood, it's used by both military and civilians. Private pilots can use it, and there are also scheduled flights. The city of Richland also has a small airport with a 3000-foot runway.
Major Roads and Highways
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Interstate 44. Before I-44, the most important road was 
U.S. Route 66. This historic road still exists as a scenic route. It goes through towns like Devil's Elbow, St. Robert, and Waynesville.
Major north-south roads include:
Highway 133 runs north from Interstate 44. It passes through Richland and Crocker.
Highway 7 also runs north from Interstate 44. It goes towards the Lake of the Ozarks area.
Highway 17 crosses Interstate 44 at Buckhorn. It goes through Waynesville and Crocker.
Highway 28 crosses Interstate 44 at St. Robert. It then runs north through Dixon.
Along U.S. Route 66, you can find interesting places. The Old Stagecoach Stop in downtown Waynesville is now a museum. It was once a tavern and is the oldest building in the county. It was even used as a hospital during the Civil War. The Old Courthouse Museum is also in downtown Waynesville.
Pulaski County Media
Pulaski County has local radio stations and online news sources.
- KFBD-FM and KJPW are popular radio stations for news in the area.
- KFLW Radio also broadcasts from Pulaski County.
- The Dixon Pilot is a weekly newspaper.
- The Pulaski County Daily News is an online newspaper.
- Allen Hilliard Sports is an online sports website.
Pulaski County Education
Pulaski County has several school districts that serve its communities. Many students in the county are connected to Fort Leonard Wood.
School Districts in Pulaski County
There are seven main school districts in Pulaski County. They serve students from kindergarten through high school, except for one K-8 district.
- Crocker R-II School District
- Dixon R-I School District
- Laquey R-V School District
- Newburg R-II School District
- Plato R-V School District
- Richland R-IV School District
- Waynesville R-VI Schools
Public Schools in Pulaski County
Here are some of the public schools in the county:
- Crocker R-II School District – Crocker
- Crocker Elementary School (Grades PK-6)
- Crocker High School (Grades 7-12)
- Dixon R-I School District – Dixon
- Dixon Elementary School (Grades PK-5)
- Dixon Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Dixon High School (Grades 9-12)
- Laquey R-V School District – Laquey
- Laquey Elementary School (Grades PK-5)
- Laquey Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Laquey High School (Grades 9-12)
- Swedeborg R-VIII School District – Swedeborg
- Swedeborg Elementary School (Grades PK-8)
- Richland R-IV School District – Richland
- Richland Elementary School (Grades K-6)
- Richland Junior High School (Grades 7-8)
- Richland High School (Grades 9-12)
- Waynesville R-VI School District – Waynesville
- Williams Early Childhood Center (PK) – Ft. Leonard Wood
- East Elementary School (Grades K-5) - Waynesville
- Freedom Elementary School (Grades K-5) – St. Robert
- Partridge Elementary School (Grades K-5) – Ft. Leonard Wood
- Thayer Elementary School (Grades K-5) – Ft. Leonard Wood
- Wood Elementary School (Grades K-5) – Ft. Leonard Wood
- Waynesville Sixth Grade Center (Grade 6) — Waynesville
- Waynesville Middle School (Grades 7-8) — Waynesville
- Waynesville High School (Grades 9-12) — Waynesville
Private Schools in Pulaski County
- Maranatha Baptist Academy – St. Robert (Grades K4-12) – A Baptist school.
- Westside Christian Academy – Waynesville (Grades K4-12) – A Baptist school.
Public Libraries
- Pulaski County Library
Pulaski County Communities
Pulaski County has several cities and smaller unincorporated places where people live.
Cities in Pulaski County
- Crocker
- Dixon
- Richland (a small part is in other counties)
- St. Robert
- Waynesville (the county seat)
Census-Designated Place
Unincorporated Places
Images for kids
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Old and new Pulaski County courthouses in Waynesville
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Pulaski (Misuri) para niños
