About us

Milan (pronounced MY-lun) is a city in Sullivan County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,960 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Sullivan County.

Milan is located at 40°12’6″N 93°7’30″W (40.201661, -93.125092). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.78 square miles (4.61 km2), of which, 1.77 square miles (4.58 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.

Excerpts from The Milan Standard of June 8, 1905:

Marshall Baker Witter moved to Sullivan County in 1844. At that time Milan was known as the Pharsalia Post Office. The name was so hard to pronounce and so few people knew how to spell it that Mr. Witter sought an easier name.

In his youth, having read the noted Milan Decree, a treaty among certain European countries he suggested the name Milan for the city, and it was unanimously adopted. After which, by act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1859, Milan was incorporated.

R. D. Morrison was the first mayor of Milan. Mr. Witter was the second mayor, and during his second year as mayor, the legislature repealed the city charter. This act was approved by the governor February 8, 1861. From this time until the meeting of the county court in May 1867, the town was devoid of any form of government. The town remained unincorporated until 1869, when it was again incorporated.

Today, Milan is a full-service city with a variety of businesses and social organizations, K-12 school, and community hospital. City departments include water/sewer, electric, 24/7 police, fire, gas, and roads and streets.

Demographics

2010 Census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,960 people, 746 households, and 462 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,107.3 inhabitants per square mile (427.5 /km2). There were 845 housing units at an average density of 477.4 per square mile (184.3 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.7% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 22.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 45.3% of the population.

There were 746 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 32.9 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SULLIVAN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY:
www.sullivanhistory.org