History

A picture of activity comes to mind as the history of Avoca unfolds. In this bustling 1800's settlement the busy stagecoach brought the mail, travelers and commodities to the post office and Mr. Peel's store that was nestled down in the valley, known to us today as Brightwater. This stagecoach route became "Old Wire Road".

During 1880 and 1881 the Frisco Railroad was making its way through the land and Avoca was promised a station if the town would relocate to the top of the hill. In 1881 Mr. Peel moved his store and post office about a mile and a half away to where Avoca sits today, and so our Town was founded. Story has it that Mr. Peel's wife was responsible for giving Avoca its name and it is also believed Avoca is an Indian name meaning "the gathering Place". If true, then the name is as fitting today as it was then. The move, and the railroad, must have agreed with Avoca because by 1920 Avoca was a booming town serving the area as a busy freight and passenger train stop.

Avoca served her community well with stock yards, fruit elevators and canneries, a candy store, boarding house, and grocery store, and doctor and telephone offices. In 1934 highway 62 was built west of the tracks, and with the depression era setting in, businesses began leaving, but Avoca endured. Now sometimes referred to as the "Gateway to North Beaver Lake" with several back road accesses to the Lake. Avoca was incorporated in 1966 thus preserving the country lifestyle.

The hometown atmosphere continues to attract families and businesses. Avoca is rich with history and community service, participating significantly in the growth of Benton County
 

Demographics:
According to the census of 2000, there were 423 people, 162 households, and 121 families residing in the town. The population density was 233.7/mile. There were 168 housing units at an average density of 92.8/mi. The racial makeup of the town was 92.43% White, 1.65% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.71% Pacific Islander, 3.31% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. 6.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 162 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 19.8% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,964, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $32,708 versus $25,167 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,028. About 4.2% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Information from United States Census Bureau, published May 2005. http://www.census.gov/