Oregon County, Missouri

Last updated

Oregon County
Oregon County MO Courthouse 20151021-020.jpg
Oregon County Courthouse in Alton
Map of Missouri highlighting Oregon County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri in United States.svg
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°41′N91°24′W / 36.69°N 91.4°W / 36.69; -91.4
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Missouri.svg  Missouri
FoundedFebruary 14, 1845
Named for Oregon Territory
Seat Alton
Largest city Thayer
Area
  Total792 sq mi (2,050 km2)
  Land790 sq mi (2,000 km2)
  Water1.7 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
  Total8,635
  Density11/sq mi (4.2/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 8th

Oregon County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,635. [1] Its county seat is Alton. [2] The county was officially organized on February 14, 1845, and was named for the Oregon Territory in the northwestern United States.

Contents

Home to a large area of the Mark Twain National Forest, Oregon County contains more national forest acreage than any county in the state of Missouri. It also contains the Irish Wilderness, the largest federally protected wilderness area in the state. Hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding opportunities abound on the Ozark Trail and the White's Creek Trail. Canoeing, kayaking, jonboating, and fishing are popular on the Eleven Point River, which is Missouri's only National Wild and Scenic River.

Eleven Point State Park is under development east of Alton, Missouri that includes 6 miles of Eleven Point River frontage.[ citation needed ]

Grand Gulf State Park, just west of Thayer, includes a karst window, a collapsed karst canyon.[ citation needed ]

History

Oregon County was created in 1845, at a time when the Oregon boundary dispute was a major issue. [3]

Geography

The county has a total area of 792 square miles (2,050 km2), of which 790 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.2%) is water. [4] Arkansas is located to the south of Oregon County.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850 1,432
1860 3,009110.1%
1870 3,2879.2%
1880 5,79176.2%
1890 10,46780.7%
1900 13,90632.9%
1910 14,6815.6%
1920 12,889−12.2%
1930 12,220−5.2%
1940 13,3909.6%
1950 11,978−10.5%
1960 9,845−17.8%
1970 9,180−6.8%
1980 10,23811.5%
1990 9,470−7.5%
2000 10,3449.2%
2010 10,8815.2%
2020 8,635−20.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]
1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7]
1990-2000 [8] 2010-2015 [9]

As of the census [10] of 2000, there was 10,344 people, 4,263 households, and 3,018 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 4,997 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.61% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 2.88% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. Approximately 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Oregon County were 29.7% American, 13.4% English, 13.1% Irish, and 13.0% German.

There were 4,263 households, out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there were 92.80 men.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,119, and the median income for a family was $31,637. Males had a median income of $22,304 versus $16,353 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,043. About 16.30% of families and 22.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.20% of those under age 18 and 20.00% of those age 65 or over. Of the state's 115 counties, in 2010 Oregon ranked last in terms of poverty. [11] [12]

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Oregon County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Oregon County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (46.0%), National Association of Free Will Baptists (30.1%), and Churches of Christ (9.1%). [13]

2020 Census

Oregon County Racial Composition [14]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)7,99092.5%
Black or African American (NH)250.3%
Native American (NH)650.75%
Asian (NH)80.1%
Pacific Islander (NH)00%
Other/Mixed (NH)4305%
Hispanic or Latino 1171.35%

Politics

Local

Oregon County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Doug Bridges Republican
Circuit Clerk Betty Grooms Republican
County Clerk Tracy Bridges Democratic
Collector Misty Hower Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)
David Stubblefield Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)
Jason Kemper Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)
Terry Cline Republican
Coroner Tom Clary Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kelley Republican
Public Administrator Becky Granger Republican
Recorder Dawn Holman Democratic
Sheriff Eric King Republican
Surveyor Scott Simer Democratic
Treasurer Linda Parrott Republican

Political control at the county level is currently divided between the Democratic and Republican parties.

State

All of Oregon County is a part of the 143rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Jeffrey Pogue (R-Salem).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 143 — Oregon County (2016) [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jeffrey Pogue3,801100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 143 — Oregon County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jeffrey Pogue1,948100.00%+35.32%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 143 — Oregon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jeffrey Pogue2,76764.68%
Democratic Shane Van Steenis1,51135.32%

All of Oregon County is a part of Missouri's 33rd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Cunningham (R-Rogersville).

Missouri Senate — District 33 — Oregon County (2016) [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Cunningham3,833100.00%
Missouri Senate — District 33 — Oregon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Cunningham3,428100.00%
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 80.42%3,77017.92% 8401.66% 78
2016 66.82%3,08130.04% 1,3853.14% 145
2012 50.01%2,20046.85% 2,0613.14% 138
2008 38.07% 1,74259.22%2,7102.71% 124
2004 55.76%2,57942.16% 1,9502.08% 96
2000 45.82% 1,93851.70%2,1872.48% 105
1996 38.02% 1,46659.23%2,2842.75% 106
1992 39.27% 1,63560.73%2,5290.00% 0
1988 53.00%1,97846.60% 1,7390.40% 15
1984 52.93%2,08747.07% 1,8560.00% 0
1980 40.12% 1,54259.82%2,2990.05% 2
1976 37.19% 1,35062.73%2,2770.08% 3

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Oregon County (2016) [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Roy Blunt3,03165.45%+17.88
Democratic Jason Kander1,38529.91%-16.59
Libertarian Jonathan Dine1052.27%-3.66
Green Johnathan McFarland531.14%+1.14
Constitution Fred Ryman571.23%+1.23
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Oregon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Todd Akin2,09547.57%
Democratic Claire McCaskill2,04846.50%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine2615.93%

Oregon County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason T. Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Oregon County (2016) [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith3,44777.50%+17.05
Democratic Dave Cowell87619.69%-4.52
Libertarian Jonathan Shell1252.81%+1.15
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Oregon County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith1,45860.45%+1.40
Democratic Barbara Stocker58424.21%-6.35
Constitution Doug Enyart763.15%-6.11
Libertarian Rick Vandeven401.66%+0.53
Independent Terry Hampton25410.53%+10.53
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Oregon County (Special Election 2013)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican James T. Smith57459.05%-11.37
Democratic Steve Hodges29730.56%+5.19
Constitution Doug Enyart909.26%+9.26
Libertarian Bill Slantz111.13%-3.08
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Oregon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson3,06170.42%
Democratic Jack Rushin1,10325.37%
Libertarian Rick Vandeven1834.21%

Political culture

United States presidential election results for Oregon County, Missouri [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 3,84781.18%82317.37%691.46%
2016 3,67178.64%86518.53%1322.83%
2012 2,88665.28%1,41932.10%1162.62%
2008 2,65257.77%1,81139.45%1282.79%
2004 2,76959.26%1,82339.01%811.73%
2000 2,52159.56%1,56837.04%1443.40%
1996 1,50239.10%1,79546.73%54414.16%
1992 1,40233.10%2,25853.31%57613.60%
1988 1,71745.59%2,04254.22%70.19%
1984 1,97949.41%2,02650.59%00.00%
1980 1,52339.07%2,32659.67%491.26%
1976 1,12230.23%2,56469.07%260.70%
1972 2,11861.04%1,35238.96%00.00%
1968 1,21334.03%1,72648.43%62517.54%
1964 99225.44%2,90874.56%00.00%
1960 1,97450.51%1,93449.49%00.00%
1956 1,43636.75%2,47263.25%00.00%
1952 1,80438.03%2,92661.68%140.30%
1948 1,21427.86%3,13371.91%100.23%
1944 1,57336.46%2,73463.38%70.16%
1940 1,82633.60%3,59366.12%150.28%
1936 1,46129.40%3,50470.50%50.10%
1932 78617.77%3,59981.37%380.86%
1928 1,66246.82%1,88453.07%40.11%
1924 89625.70%2,23163.98%36010.32%
1920 1,31939.57%1,96158.84%531.59%
1916 66025.92%1,79970.66%873.42%
1912 48618.12%1,68862.94%50818.94%
1908 72930.31%1,55064.45%1265.24%
1904 69333.72%1,21559.12%1477.15%
1900 65226.42%1,76871.64%481.94%
1896 57624.36%1,78375.39%60.25%
1892 31819.64%1,11869.05%18311.30%
1888 36023.61%1,15775.87%80.52%

At the presidential level, Oregon County was solidly Democratic from its founding in 1845 through 1996; in 1960, Richard Nixon became the first Republican ever to carry the county, but, aside from Nixon's landslide over McGovern in 1972, it would not go Republican again until 2000, when it voted for George W. Bush. [17] It voted Republican again in the next two elections, 2004 and 2008, although the Republican vote share shrank slightly in both elections. In 2012, Mitt Romney became the first Republican since 1972 to break 60% in the county; in 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican to exceed 70%; and in 2020, Trump became the first Republican to exceed 80%. The county has voted Republican for six elections straight as of 2020.

Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Oregon County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Oregon County with 87.09 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Oregon County with 56.78 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Oregon County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Oregon County with 73.14 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

In the 2008 presidential primary, voters in Oregon County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally. Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 989, than any candidate from either party in Oregon County during the 2008 presidential primary.

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in Oregon County, 72.0% possesses a high school diploma or higher while 9.1% holds a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public schools

Public libraries

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wright County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Wright County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,188. Its county seat is Hartville. The county was officially organized on January 29, 1841, and is named after Silas Wright, a former Congressman, U.S. Senator and Governor of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webster County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Webster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,085. Its county seat is Marshfield. The county was organized in 1855 and named for U.S. Senator and U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Webster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Wayne County is a county located in the Ozark foothills in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,974. The county seat is Greenville. The county was officially organized on December 11, 1818, and is named after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who served in the American Revolution. As of August 28, 2023, Wayne County is designated the UFO Capital of Missouri, along with the city of Piedmont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Texas County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,487. Its county seat is Houston. The county was organized in 1843 as Ashley County. Its name was changed in 1845 to Texas County, after the Republic of Texas. The 2010 U.S. Census indicates that the county was the center of population for the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taney County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Taney County is a county in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 56,066. Its county seat is Forsyth. It is included in the Branson, Missouri, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stone County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Stone County is located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,076. Its county seat is Galena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoddard County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Stoddard County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,672. The county seat is Bloomfield. The county was officially organized on January 2, 1835, and is named for Amos Stoddard, the first American commandant of Upper Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Shannon County is a county in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,031. Its county seat is Eminence. The county was officially organized on January 29, 1841, and was named in honor of George F. "Peg-Leg" Shannon, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is the second-largest county by area in Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ripley County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Ripley County is a county in the Ozarks of Missouri. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 10,679. The largest city and county seat is Doniphan. The county was officially organized on January 5, 1833, and is named after Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, a soldier who served with distinction in the War of 1812.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reynolds County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Reynolds County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region in the Lead Belt of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,096. Its county seat is Centerville. The county was officially organized on February 25, 1845, and was named in honor of former Governor of Missouri Thomas Reynolds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pemiscot County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Pemiscot County is a county located in the southeastern corner in the Bootheel in the U.S. state of Missouri, with the Mississippi River forming its eastern border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,661. The largest city and county seat is Caruthersville. The county was officially organized on February 19, 1851. It is named for the local bayou, taken from the word pem-eskaw, meaning "liquid mud", in the language of the native Fox (Meskwaki) people. This has been an area of cotton plantations and later other commodity crops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ozark County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Ozark County is a county in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,553. The largest city and county seat is Gainesville. The county was organized as Ozark County, named after the Ozark Mountains, on January 29, 1841. It was renamed Decatur County, after Commodore Stephen Decatur, from 1843 to 1845, after which the name Ozark County was restored.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDonald County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

McDonald County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,303. Its county seat is Pineville. The county was organized in 1849 and named for Sergeant Alexander McDonald, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. The county has three sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Old McDonald County Courthouse and the Powell Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Iron County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,537. The largest city and county seat is Ironton. Iron County was officially organized on February 17, 1857, and was named after the abundance of iron ore found within its borders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howell County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Howell County is in southern Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,750. The largest city and county seat is West Plains. The county was officially organized on March 2, 1851, and is named after Josiah Howell, a pioneer settler in the Howell Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grundy County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Grundy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,808. Its county seat is Trenton. The county was organized January 2, 1841, from part of Livingston County, Missouri and named after U.S. Attorney General Felix Grundy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Franklin County is located in the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 census, the population was 104,682. Its county seat is Union. The county was organized in 1818 and is named after Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunklin County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Dunklin County is located in the Bootheel of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,283. The largest city and county seat is Kennett. The county was officially organized on February 14, 1845, and is named in honor of Daniel Dunklin, a Governor of Missouri who died the year before the county was organized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Douglas County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,578. The county seat and only incorporated community is Ava. The county was officially organized on October 19, 1857, and is named after U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas (D-Illinois) and later Democratic presidential candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian County, Missouri</span> County in Missouri, United States

Christian County is located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 88,842. Its county seat is Ozark. The county was organized in 1859 and is named after Christian County, Kentucky, which in turn is named for William Christian, a Kentucky soldier of the American Revolutionary War.

References

  1. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Eaton, David Wolfe (1917). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 337.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  12. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  13. "Oregon County (Missouri)". The Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report. 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  14. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Oregon County, Missouri".
  15. 1 2 3 4 "County Results - State of Missouri - 2016 General Election - November 8, 2016 - Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. December 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  17. "County winners, 1836-2016". Google Docs. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  18. http://alton.k12.mo.us/ [ bare URL ]
  19. http://www.couch.k12.mo.us/ [ bare URL ]
  20. http://koshkonong.k12.mo.us/ [ bare URL ]
  21. http://thayer.k12.mo.us/ [ bare URL ]
  22. Breeding, Marshall. "Oregon County Library District". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.

36°41′N91°24′W / 36.69°N 91.40°W / 36.69; -91.40