Editing Noel, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Noel, Missouri
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = McDonald_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Noel_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in McDonald County and the state of Missouri
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[McDonald County, Missouri|McDonald]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Missouri |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_29.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=March 27, 2024}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 5.44
|area_land_km2            = 5.25
|area_water_km2           = 0.20
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.10
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.02
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US2952742&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Noel city, Missouri: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref>
|population_total         = 2124
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_km2   = 404.92
|population_density_sq_mi = 1048.89

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 846
|coordinates              = {{coord|36|32|48|N|94|29|45|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 64854
|area_code                = [[Area code 417|417]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 29-52742<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2395242<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395242}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|noelmo.org}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Noel''' is a city in [[McDonald County, Missouri]], United States, along the [[Elk River (Oklahoma)|Elk River]]. The population was 2,124 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> up from 1,832 in [[2010 United States Census|2010]].<ref name="Census 2020"/> The city is in the southwest corner of Missouri, just north of the [[Arkansas]] border.

==History==
A post office called Noel has been in operation since 1886.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=McDonald | title=Post Offices| publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=3 November 2016}}</ref> The community was named for Clark Wallace "C.W." and William Jasper "W.J." Noel; brothers, stockmen, and owners of a [[sawmill]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RfAuAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA190 | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=190}}</ref> The town was founded after the Kansas City, Pittsburg, and Gulf Railroad arrived.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/08/long-time-christmas-tradition-continues-noel-missouri/4374108002/|title = Here's how a small town in Missouri became known as 'The Christmas City'| website=[[USA Today]] }}</ref>

Noel has capitalized on its Christmas-themed name, along with [[North Pole, Alaska]], [[Christmas, Michigan]], [[Santa Claus, Indiana]], and [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]]. Each year, tens of thousands of Christmas cards and letters are sent to the [[United States Postal Service|USPS]] Noel Post Office during the holiday season to be stamped with a postmark reading, ''Noel, Mo. - "The Christmas City in the Ozark Vacation Land"''. This practice became popular in the late 1940s when [[Kate Smith]], a radio and television singer, began telling the "Noel Story" during her broadcasts.<ref>[http://www.4noel.com/postmark.html Noel Christmas Postmarks] Retrieved 2009-12-11.</ref> Most of the year, area residents pronounce Noel as rhyming with "mole", in honor of the town's namesake, Bridges Noel.

On August 3, 1969, a freight train exploded while passing through Noel, spraying fragments of metal through houses and buildings over a six-block area.  One person was killed, and 40 others injured.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=gL9scSG3K_gC&dat=19690804&printsec=frontpage&hl=en "Missouri Village Sprayed with Metal—] 1 Dies, 100 Are Hurt in Rail Blasts ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', August 4, 1969, p1</ref>

Noel was home to a [[Tyson Foods]] chicken-processing plant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCorvey |first=J.J. |date=2023-08-29 |title=Rural town braces for Tyson plant closure as manufacturing booms elsewhere |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/tyson-foods-chicken-plant-closures-rural-manufacturing-rcna100434 |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="usatodaysomalirefugeeschangeface">{{cite news|last1=Gounley|first1=Thomas|title=Somali refugees change face of southwest Mo. town|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/02/06/somali-refugees-missouri/97548508/|access-date=February 9, 2017|work=USA Today|date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> By 2010, an estimated 400 to 500 Somali refugees, and 60 and 70 Sudanese refugees, out of 1,800 residents, lived in the town, most of whom worked for Tyson Foods.<ref name="usatodaysomalirefugeeschangeface"/> In 2011, 130 Muslim employees stopped working temporarily after they were allegedly discouraged from praying five times a day for fear of low productivity.<ref name="joplinglobesomaliworkersbackonjob">{{cite news|last1=Letner|first1=Josh|title=Somali workers back on job at Tyson plant|url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/somali-workers-back-on-job-at-tyson-plant/article_979fde40-57ac-501e-b168-719ebc6bd6c0.html|access-date=February 9, 2017|work=The Joplin Globe|date=October 25, 2011}}</ref> Tyson Foods later released a statement dismissing it as a cross-cultural misunderstanding.<ref name="joplinglobesomaliworkersbackonjob"/>

A [[mosque]] was established in 2009, and an African grocery store which sells headscarves and rugs in 2010; both are located on Main Street.<ref name="usatodaysomalirefugeeschangeface"/> In 2017, the mayor, John Lafley, said that the Muslim refugees "want to practice their [[Sharia law]] here, and that's one thing the city won't tolerate."<ref name="usatodaysomalirefugeeschangeface"/> On December 28, 2020, an early morning fire broke out at the African grocery. It was destroyed. The fire spread to the adjacent mosque as well as other businesses. One person inside the store suffered extensive burns from which they died.<ref>Main Street Noel Burns -- Shannon Becker, FourStatesHomePage, December 28, 2020. https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/news/joplin-news-first/main-street-business-in-noel-burns/</ref> A few days after the fire, the Islamic Society of [[Joplin, Missouri|Joplin]] launched a fundraising campaign to find a new home for the mosque. The goal was met, raising $100,480.<ref>Joplin Islamic Society Raises Funds for New Noel Masjid -- Shannon Becker, FourStatesHomePage, December 31, 2020. https://www.fourstateshomepage.com/news/joplin-news-first/joplin-islamic-society-raising-funds-for-sister-noel-muslim-community-since-mosque-destroyed-in-fire/</ref>

==Geography==
Noel is in southwestern McDonald County, {{convert|3|mi|0}} north of the [[Arkansas]] border. [[Missouri Route 90]] passes through the city as its Main Street, leading east {{convert|13|mi}} to [[Jane, Missouri|Jane]] and west {{convert|8|mi|0}} to [[Southwest City, Missouri|Southwest City]] next to the [[Oklahoma]] border. [[Missouri Route 59]] runs through the west side of Noel, briefly joining Route 90 near the center of town. Route 59 leads north {{convert|9|mi|0}} to [[Anderson, Missouri|Anderson]] and south {{convert|5|mi|0}} to [[Sulphur Springs, Benton County, Arkansas|Sulphur Springs, Arkansas]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Noel has a total area of {{convert|2.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 3.62%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> The [[Elk River (Oklahoma)|Elk River]] passes through the city, flowing northwest to join the [[Neosho River]] in Oklahoma and part of the [[Arkansas River]] watershed.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 324
|1930= 431
|1940= 515
|1950= 685
|1960= 736
|1970= 924
|1980= 1161
|1990= 1169
|2000= 1480
|2010= 1832
|2020= 2124
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the census of 2020,<ref name="Census 2020 DP1">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=160XX00US2952742&y=2020&d=DEC%20Demographic%20Profile| title=2020 Census, DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - Noel city, Missouri| work=data.census.gov| access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref> there were 2,124 people in 687 households residing in the city. There were 767 housing units, of which 80, or 11.6%, were vacant. The racial makeup of the city was 31.2% White, 16.7% Black or African American, 2.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 10.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 17.3% some other race, and 21.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 41.5% of the population.

Of the 687 households in the city, 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 28.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% had a male householder with no wife present. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09.<ref name="Census 2020 DP1"/>

The median age in the city was 30.8 years. 32.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 7.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.0% male and 49.0% female.<ref name="Census 2020 DP1"/>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,832 people, 616 households, and 428 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|916.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 731 housing units at an average density of {{convert|365.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 56.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.9% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 29.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 49.7% of the population.

There were 616 households, of which 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.5% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.43.

The median age in the city was 28.5 years. 31.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30% were from 25 to 44; 20% were from 45 to 64; and 6.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,480 people, 566 households, and 354 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|739.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 630 housing units at an average density of {{convert|314.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 71.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.34% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.07% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 22.97% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.97% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 36.49% of the population.

There were 566 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the city the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,386, and the median income for a family was $32,159. Males had a median income of $18,819 versus $16,848 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $11,166. About 15.4% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Public education in Noel is administered by [[McDonald County R-1 School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29119_mcdonald/DC20SD_C29119.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: McDonald County, MO|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2023-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mcdonaldr1.net | title=Homepage | publisher=McDonald County R-1 School District | access-date=4 June 2019}}</ref>

Noel has a [[public library]], the Noel Community Branch Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610012728/http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2017 | title=Missouri Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[McDonald Territory]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* {{Official website|noelmo.org}}

{{McDonald County, Missouri}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in McDonald County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]
[[Category:Somali-American history]]