Birch Tree, Missouri

Birch Tree is a city in southern Shannon County, Missouri. It had a population of 679 at the 2010 census.

History

As might be surmised from its name, the community ultimately derives its name from a grove of birch trees which grew in the vicinity during the 19th century. In 1842, shortly after Shannon County's organization, the area was carved into its own township, initially named Birch Valley before later being renamed Birch Tree, and the town itself would receive this title as well. It is not entirely certain when the community of Birch Tree came into being, but the post office there has been in operation since 1865.

Though initially benefiting from the lumber industry in the late 19th century, the city steadily declined thereafter until the 1950s, when, like the surrounding region, the growth of tourism and recreation in the Current River valley brought more economic activity to Birch Tree. Since then, it has gradually risen again in population.

Geography

Birch Tree is located along and just to the south of U.S. Route 60 in southern Shannon County, about nine miles west of Winona and 13 miles southwest of Eminence. Its exact coordinates are 36°59’35”N 91°29’37”W.

The city lies in open, rolling country that is part of the Ozark Plateau, with the Jacks Fork of the Current River a short distance to the north. It has a total land area of 1.38 square miles, and an average elevation of 991 feet.

Demographics

At the 2010 census, Birch Tree had a total of 679 inhabitants, grouped into 298 households, with a population density of 492.0 people per square mile. This figure represented a moderate increase from the 2000 census, when Birch Tree had a population of 634. 92.78% of the inhabitants were White, 0.29% were African-American, 0.88% were Native American, 0.74% were Asian, 3.09% were from some other race, and 2.21% were from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 6.92% of the population.

The median age in Birch Tree was 38.9 years, with 24.9% of inhabitants under the age of 18, 9.1% between 18 and 24 years old, 23.6% between 25 and 44, 25.1% between 45 and 64, and 17.4% 65 years old or older. The sex ratio was 48.3% male, 51.7% female.

According to the 2018 American Community Survey, Birch Tree had a median household income of $14,350, and a mean family income of $37,698. The unemployment rate was 20.6%. The per capita income was $12,046. About 60.3% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 81.6% of people under the age of 18 and 37.7% of people 65 years old or older.

Education

Birch Tree is included within the Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III School District. Only one of its facilities is located in the community, Birch Tree Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5.

Notable People

Despite its small size, two recent governors of Missouri (both Democrats): Mel Carnahan, governor from 1993 until his death in 2000; and Bob Holden, governor from 2001 to 2005.