Poplar Bluff is a city in Butler County, Missouri, United States. Poplar Bluff is the county seat of Butler County. The Poplar Bluff Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Butler County. Poplar Bluff is also known as "Gateway To The Ozarks."

Geography

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Poplar Bluff is located at (36.759808, -90.402731), along the Black River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.0 km² (11.6 mi²), all land.

Poplar Bluff takes its name from the bluff that overlooks the Black River from the west side. When first settled, the bluff was covered with poplar trees. Locals refer to the city as simply "The Bluff."
The bluff itself is a distinct landmark separating the Ozark foothills from the lowland Mississippi embayment of Southeast Missouri. North and west lie the foothills, south and east the lowlands. The county courthouse and the offices of the Daily American Republic newspaper sit on this site.

The surrounding area is commonly known as the "Three Rivers" with many local organizations and businesses using the name. The three rivers; Current River, Black River, and St. Francis River are 40 miles apart, with Poplar Bluff right in the center on the Black.

Lake Wapappello is located on the St. Francis River and is located 15 miles from Poplar Bluff. The lake sees many visitors around drag boat racing season at a national level of competition is held at the lake. The lake is also popular for crappie fishing in springtime.

Black River features Clearwater Reservoir upriver from Poplar Bluff and 50 miles away by road. The outlet of the dam is one of the places in Missouri where the spoonbill catfish can be found.

Current River, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, lies to the west and is home to Big Spring.

Demographics

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The population was 16,651 at the 2000 census, making it the third largest city in Missouri's 8th Congressional district behind Cape Girardeau and Sikeston.

As of the census of 2006, there were 15,351 people, 7,077 households, and 4,295 families residing in the city. The population density was 555.7/km² (1,438.9/mi²). There were 7,871 housing units at an average density of 262.7/km² (680.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.04% White, 9.71% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.

There were 7,077 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were...