City of Poplar Bluff

Poplar Bluff City Hall

     The City of Poplar Bluff is situated in the north central portion of Butler County. Forty-three full-time police officers and 30 full-time firemen protect the residents of the county seat. City offices are housed at 101 Oak Street, where the seven-member city council meets. The Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, the city, and its chamber of commerce work together to foster economic development for Poplar Bluff.

     Mayor Susan Williams reports that, according to the 2000 census, his city had a population 16,651. Of those residents, 12,604 are over 18-years-old, and 4,047 are younger than 18.

     Per capita income for Butler County, as reported in 1999, was $21,590 . The unemployment rate of Butler County in February, 2001, was 5.3 percent, with an available workforce of 19,182. Only 1,019 people in Butler County are unemployed, with 18,163 having gainful employment. The average hourly wage for the county, as of March, 2000, was $11.34 per hour in the manufacturing sector, and $10.23 in non-manufacturing.

     Major employers in the county are Three Rivers Healthcare, with 1,500 employees; Briggs & Stratton Corporation, which employs 1,100 to manufacture internal combustion engines; Nordyne, a heating and cooling manufacturer, with over 1,000 employees; Gates Rubber Company, whose 518 employees manufacture radiator hoses; and Wal-Mart with 500 associates.

     Municipal Utilities provides electric power, water, and sewer services for Poplar Bluff residents. Natural gas is obtained from Missouri Natural Gas. Southwestern Bell Telephone is the local telephone service providers. Internet service is available through seven local ISPs.

     Residents of Poplar Bluff have two hospitals and numerous clinics from which to choose for their medical needs. Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, with two campuses, and John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Hospital are both located in Poplar Bluff.

     Poplar Bluff students stay in town for their education, from elementary to high school. Besides the public school system, students also have private schools in the area from which to choose. Three Rivers Community College is located in Poplar Bluff and boasts an enrollment of 2,824 (fall, 2001). Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center is also a popular choice for area youngsters. Southeast Missouri State University, a public four-year college located in Cape Girardeau, MO, is the nearest higher learning facility. Fall, 2001, enrollment for the university was 9,352 students.

     Residents of Poplar Bluff travel U.S. Highways 67 and 60, and State Highways 53 and 142. The nearest four-lane highway is within the city limits, and it is only 45 miles to the nearest interstate: I-55. Amtrak service is available in Poplar Bluff. The Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport, located just outside the city limits, has a 5,007-foot runway. Private aircraft storage and aviation fuel are available. The nearest commercial airport is Cape Girardeau Regional airport in Cape Girardeau, MO, 70 miles away.

Poplar Bluff Muncipal (POF). Location: 3 mi. E of city. Coordinates: N36-46.43; W090-19.49. Mag var: 2E. Navaids: MAW 111.2 30023.8; FD278 358 6.2. Telephone: 573/686-4892. Fax: 573/636-7764. Hours: 7 am to 6 pm Oct thru May; 7 am to 9 pm May thru Oct; aft on req. Elevation: 331. Pattern altitudes: 1100 MSL all aircraft. Runways: 18-36 5,007 x 100, asphalt, asphalt pfc; trees ea end, lights MIRL (NSTD). Lights: beacon. Fees: hangar, tiedown. Approaches: GPS RNAV, NDB, SDF. FSS: Saint Louis 122.2, 122.65. Com freq: APP Memphis Center/135.5; UNICOM/CTAF 123.0. Weather Contacts: ASOS 124.225, 573/778-9172. Charts: St. Louis; L21. Transportation: courtesy car; van. Taxis: 573/785-8696, 776-1000. Notes: agricultural ops, banner towing, helicopter ops, RC models, ultralights.

     Poplar Bluff residents have a wide choice of banking facilties from which to choose. Financial institutions include: Union Planters Bank, Commerce Bank, First Community Bank, Firstar Bank, First Missouri State Bank, Southern Missouri Bank and Trust, and First Midwest Bank. Folks enjoy one daily newspaper and three television channels. The Poplar Bluff Nutrition Center, Civic Center, and the new City Park are enjoyed by young and old.

     Lake Wappapello is the nearest public access lake. Visitors can camp, fish, hike, motor boat, swim and water ski. Other available facilities to be enjoyed include the public library, a country club, public golf course, eight public parks, two swimming pools, and six tennis courts. Average temperatures for the area range from 21 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 91 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The average annual precipitation is 46 inches.

The city is represented in the State House of Representatives by 154th District Representative Gayle Kingery (R) and in the state senate by Senator Rob Mayer (R) of the 25th District.  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R) represents Poplar Bluff in the Eighth Congressional District.