Pevely

Pevely is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,484 at the 2010 census.

Pevely was platted in 1860.[6] A post office called Pevely has been in operation since 1858.[7]

The Gustave Greystone-Meissner House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[8]

On November 17, 2018, Pevely was at the center of a local controversy regarding the conduct of the Pevely Police Chief.[9] On November 17, police responded to a disturbance at the residence of Pevely Police Chief Charles “Tony” Moutray [10] According to the police report, Moutray confessed to assaulting his wife, Dawn Moutray, after she had discovered that he was having an affair. In the report, Dawn details that she was grabbed by the neck and flipped, resulting in her injuring her head. In addition, when she attempted to flee into their locked bathroom, Officer Moutray broke down the door and then proceeded to drag her by the hair.[11]

Jefferson County Prosecutor Forrest Wegge decided not to file charges in the case, citing "insufficient evidence" and Officer Moutray was allowed to continue his employment with the city of Pevely with no penalties or sanctions.[12] In response, residents of Pevely and surrounding towns organized a social media campaign against The Pevely Police Department, called #chargethechief and held a candle light vigil on Monday, January 7 at 7:00pm.[10][13]

Following reports, an additional allegation was placed by a resident of the neighboring city of Festus, who accused the officer and two other men of assaulting him on November 17, 2016. According to the accuser, Moutray and the four other officers assaulted him. Litigation from the incident resulted in a $300,000 settlement from the city of Pevely in August 2018.[14]

Pevely is located at 38°17′2″N 90°23′49″W  /  38.28389°N 90.39694°W  / 38.28389; -90.39694 (38.283894, -90.397022).[15]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.69 square miles (12.15 km2), of which 4.54 square miles (11.76 km2) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km2) is water.[16]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 5,484 people, 2,128 households, and 1,493 families living in the city. The population density was 1,207.9 inhabitants per square mile (466.4/km2). There were 2,318 housing units at an average density of 510.6 per square mile (197.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 1.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 2,128 households, of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 31.5 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 8.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,768 people, 1,411 households, and 1,008 families living in the city. As of 2006, the city boasts almost 4,400 in population. The population density was 1,133.7 people per square mile (438.2/km2). There were 1,482 housing units at an average density of 445.9 per square mile (172.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.89% White, 1.59% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.

There were 1,411 households, out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,916, and the median income for a family was $37,288. The per capita income for the city was $14,403. About 19.7% of families and 19.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.

Dunklin R-V School District serves Pevely.[18]

I-55 Raceway is a high-banked 1/3 mile high banked dirt oval that features racing on Saturday nights. U.M.P. DIRTcar Late Models, U.M.P. DIRTcar Modifieds, U.M.P. DIRTcar/A.A.R.A. Sportsman and U.M.P. DIRTcar/A.A.R.A Pro 4 Stocks headline the weekly racing program. Famous international racers, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., can be seen sometimes on NASCAR nights. It is said to be the largest dirt track in a radius of 100 miles. Ken Schrader is co-owner/promoter of I-55 Raceway with Ray Marler.

Pevely Flea Market, which originally was the Sixty One South Drive-In one of the largest drive-in movie theaters around until the 80's, was once the largest flea market in the Mid-West. It featured inside booths (called the "Marketplace"), as well as outside booths and shops. The Flea Market ceased operations as of November 1, 2011.