Cedar County, Missouri

Cedar County
County
County courthouse in Stockton
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°43′N93°52′W / 37.72°N 93.86°W / 37.72; -93.86
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Founded	February 14, 1845
Named for	Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Sac River
Seat	Stockton
Largest city	El Dorado Springs
Area
• Total	499 sq mi (1,290 km2)
• Land	474 sq mi (1,230 km2)
• Water	24 sq mi (60 km2)  4.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	14,188
• Density	28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	cedarcountymo.gov

Cedar County is a county located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,188. ^[1] Its county seat is Stockton. ^[2] The county was founded February 14, 1845, and named after Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Sac River, which in turn is named from the Eastern red cedar, a common tree of the area. ^[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 499 square miles (1,290 km²), of which 474 square miles (1,230 km²) is land and 24 square miles (62 km²) (4.8%) is water. ^[4] The water area includes various rivers and Stockton Lake.

Adjacent counties

• St. Clair County (north)
• Polk County (east)
• Dade County (south)
• Vernon County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 54
• Route 32
• Route 39
• Route 97
• Route 215

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	3,361		—
1860	6,637		97.5%
1870	9,474		42.7%
1880	10,741		13.4%
1890	15,620		45.4%
1900	16,923		8.3%
1910	16,080		−5.0%
1920	13,933		−13.4%
1930	11,136		−20.1%
1940	11,697		5.0%
1950	10,663		−8.8%
1960	9,185		−13.9%
1970	9,424		2.6%
1980	11,894		26.2%
1990	12,093		1.7%
2000	13,733		13.6%
2010	13,982		1.8%
2020	14,188		1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7] 1990-2000 [8] 2010-2020 [1]

As of the census ^[9] of 2000, there were 13,733 people, 5,685 households, and 3,894 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km²). There were 6,813 housing units at an average density of 14 units per square mile (5.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Approximately 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,685 households, out of which 27.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,694, and the median income for a family was $32,710. Males had a median income of $25,017 versus $17,594 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,356. 17.40% of the population and 11.60% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.80% of those under the age of 18 and 14.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Cedar County is regarded as being part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Cedar County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (35.02%), Christian churches and churches of Christ (11.49%), and Assemblies of God (9.56%).

2020 Census

Cedar County Racial Composition ^[10]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	12,899	91%
Black or African American (NH)	57	0.4%
Native American (NH)	100	0.7%
Asian (NH)	42	0.3%
Pacific Islander (NH)	7	0.05%
Other/Mixed (NH)	822	5.8%
Hispanic or Latino	261	1.83%

Education

Public schools

• El Dorado Springs R-II School District – El Dorado Springs
  • El Dorado Springs Elementary School (PK-05)
  • El Dorado Springs Middle School (06-08)
  • El Dorado Springs High School (09-12)
• Stockton R-I School District – Stockton
  • Stockton Elementary School (PK-04)
  • Stockton Middle School (05-08)
  • Stockton High School (09-12)

Private schools

• Agape Boarding School – Stockton (01-12) – Baptist – Boys
• El Dorado Christian School – El Dorado Springs (PK-12) – Church of God

Public libraries

• Cedar County Library District ^[11]

Communities

Cities and Towns

• Caplinger Mills
• El Dorado Springs
• Jerico Springs
• Stockton (county seat)
• Umber View Heights

Unincorporated Communities

• Arnica
• Bearcreek
• Cane Hill
• Caplinger Mills
• Cedar Springs
• Filley
• Lebeck
• Needmore
• Olympia
• Osiris
• Pacetown
• Rowland

Notable people

• Kate Austin, radical writer and anarchist
• Emil Liston, basketball coach and administrator, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
• Eugene McCown, jazz pianist and painter

Politics

Local

The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Cedar County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.

Cedar County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Chad Pyle	Republican
Circuit Clerk	Melinda Gumm	Republican
County Clerk	Heather York	Republican
Collector	Lisa Nelson	Republican
Commissioner (Presiding)	Marlon Collins	Republican
Commissioner (District 1)	Don Boultinghouse	Republican
Commissioner (District 2)	Ted Anderson	Republican
Coroner	Nora Powell	Republican
Prosecuting Attorney	Ty Gaither	Republican
Public Administrator	Charlotte Haden	Republican
Recorder	Melissa Heskett	Republican
Sheriff	James "Jim Bob" McCrary	Republican
Surveyor	Mark Francis	Republican
Treasurer	Peggy Kenney	Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	82.10%5,771	15.71% 1,104	2.19% 154
2016	70.26%4,415	26.53% 1,667	3.21% 202
2012	56.43%3,383	40.92% 2,453	2.65% 159
2008	47.17% 2,970	48.22%3,036	4.61% 290
2004	66.31%4,096	32.04% 1,979	1.65% 102
2000	58.42%3,297	39.69% 2,240	1.89% 107
1996	54.31%2,827	42.50% 2,212	3.19% 166

Cedar County is split between three of Missouri's legislative districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives. All three are represented by Republicans.

• District 125 — Jim Kalberloh (R-Monett). The district includes El Dorado Springs and the rest of the northern part of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 125 — Cedar County (2020)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Kalberloh	2,590	100.00%	+19.51

Missouri House of Representatives — District 125 — Cedar County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Warren D. Love	1,852	80.49%	−19.51
	Democratic	Chase Crawford	449	19.51%	+19.51

• District 127 — Ann Kelley (R-Lamar). Consists of Jerico Springs, Umber View Heights, and the rest of the southern part of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 127 — Cedar County (2020)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ann Kelley	691	100.00%	+26.24

Missouri House of Representatives — District 127 — Cedar County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ann Kelley	461	73.76%	−8.14
	Democratic	Teri Hanna	164	26.24%	+8.14

• District 128 — Mike Stephens (R-Bolivar). Consists of Stockton and the rest of the center of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 128 — Cedar County (2020)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Stephens	2,385	74.37%	−7.80
	Democratic	Marvin Manring	822	25.63%	+7.80

Missouri House of Representatives — District 128 — Cedar County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Stephens	2,005	82.17%	−3.16
	Democratic	Rich Horton	435	17.83%	+17.83

All of Cedar County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the Missouri Senate. The seat is currently represented by Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo). The previous incumbent, Mike Parson was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2016, became Governor upon the resignation of Eric Greitens in 2018. Parson was elected to a full term as governor in 2020.

Missouri Senate — District 28 — Cedar County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sandy Crawford	4,412	82.84%	+14.68
	Democratic	Joe Poor	914	17.16%	−14.68

Missouri Senate — District 28 Special Election — Cedar County (2017)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sandy Crawford	595	68.16%	−31.84
	Democratic	Albert J. Skalicky	278	31.84%	+31.84

Federal

All of Cedar County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 4th Congressional District – Cedar County (2020)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Vicky Hartzler	5,657	81.95%	+0.61
	Democratic	Lindsey Simmons	1,070	15.50%	+0.38
	Libertarian	Steven K. Koonse	176	2.55%	−0.24

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 4th Congressional District – Cedar County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Vicky Hartzler	4,406	81.34%	+0.94
	Democratic	Renee Hoagenson	860	15.88%	+0.46
	Libertarian	Mark Bliss	151	2.79%	−1.40

Cedar County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

U.S. Senate – Class I – Cedar County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Josh Hawley	4,092	74.85%	+21.16
	Democratic	Claire McCaskill	1,181	21.60%	−17.47
	Independent	Craig O'Dear	91	1.67%
	Libertarian	Japheth Campbell	65	1.19%	−6.05
	Green	Jo Crain	38	0.70%	+0.70

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

U.S. Senate — Class III — Cedar County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Roy Blunt	4,445	70.61%	+16.92
	Democratic	Jason Kander	1,541	24.48%	−14.59
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	172	2.73%	−4.51
	Green	Johnathan McFarland	80	1.27%	+1.27
	Constitution	Fred Ryman	57	0.91%	+0.91

Political culture

United States presidential election results for Cedar County, Missouri ^[12]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	6,058	84.36%	1,060	14.76%	63	0.88%
2020	5,788	82.17%	1,145	16.25%	111	1.58%
2016	5,021	79.36%	1,011	15.98%	295	4.66%
2012	4,376	72.39%	1,537	25.43%	132	2.18%
2008	4,194	66.01%	2,060	32.42%	100	1.57%
2004	4,238	68.32%	1,910	30.79%	55	0.89%
2000	3,530	62.33%	1,979	34.95%	154	2.72%
1996	2,484	47.57%	2,027	38.82%	711	13.62%
1992	2,085	39.05%	2,064	38.66%	1,190	22.29%
1988	2,966	62.52%	1,774	37.39%	4	0.08%
1984	3,539	71.08%	1,440	28.92%	0	0.00%
1980	3,469	65.66%	1,703	32.24%	111	2.10%
1976	2,752	55.43%	2,192	44.15%	21	0.42%
1972	3,520	75.34%	1,152	24.66%	0	0.00%
1968	2,940	64.08%	1,218	26.55%	430	9.37%
1964	2,478	52.44%	2,247	47.56%	0	0.00%
1960	3,730	70.68%	1,547	29.32%	0	0.00%
1956	3,276	65.57%	1,720	34.43%	0	0.00%
1952	3,814	71.71%	1,483	27.88%	22	0.41%
1948	2,928	58.56%	2,062	41.24%	10	0.20%
1944	3,576	70.69%	1,478	29.22%	5	0.10%
1940	4,068	66.99%	1,973	32.49%	32	0.53%
1936	3,535	58.80%	2,443	40.64%	34	0.57%
1932	2,515	46.47%	2,834	52.37%	63	1.16%
1928	3,340	65.75%	1,728	34.02%	12	0.24%
1924	2,802	55.83%	2,007	39.99%	210	4.18%
1920	3,488	63.48%	1,936	35.23%	71	1.29%
1916	1,874	55.28%	1,410	41.59%	106	3.13%
1912	1,242	36.06%	1,392	40.42%	810	23.52%
1908	1,933	54.87%	1,483	42.09%	107	3.04%
1904	1,885	52.90%	1,533	43.03%	145	4.07%
1900	1,845	48.53%	1,820	47.87%	137	3.60%
1896	1,881	43.78%	2,400	55.87%	15	0.35%
1892	1,354	41.50%	1,246	38.19%	663	20.32%
1888	1,424	43.07%	1,434	43.38%	448	13.55%

At the presidential level, Cedar County has been solidly Republican for much of its history. Cedar County strongly favored Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. A Democrat hasn't carried the county in a presidential election since Franklin Roosevelt's landslide victory in 1932.

Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Cedar County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. Despite Cedar County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 51.58% of Cedar County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

Missouri presidential preference primaries

2020

The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Cedar County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Cedar County (2020)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joe Biden	434	63.92%
	Democratic	Bernie Sanders	194	28.57%
	Democratic	Tulsi Gabbard	10	1.47%
	Democratic	Others/Uncommitted	41	6.04%

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Cedar County and statewide by overwhelming margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Cedar County (2020)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Donald Trump	1,503	98.24%
	Republican	Bill Weld	3	0.20%
	Republican	Others/Uncommitted	24	1.57%

2016

The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) carried a plurality of the vote in Cedar County. Trump went on to win the nomination and the presidency.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Cedar County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ted Cruz	1,407	44.55%
	Republican	Donald Trump	1,355	42.91%
	Republican	John Kasich	182	5.76%
	Republican	Marco Rubio	102	3.23%
	Republican	Others/Uncommitted	112	3.55%

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) narrowly won statewide, but Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) carried Cedar County by a small margin.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Cedar County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bernie Sanders	361	51.13%
	Democratic	Hillary Clinton	332	47.03%
	Democratic	Others/Uncommitted	13	1.84%

2012

The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Cedar County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

2008

In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) won a plurality in Cedar County, receiving more votes than any other candidate of either major party.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Cedar County (2008)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Huckabee	1,051	46.02%
	Republican	John McCain	709	31.04%
	Republican	Mitt Romney	403	17.64%
	Republican	Ron Paul	63	2.76%
	Republican	Others/Uncommitted	58	2.55%

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) decisively won the vote in Cedar County on the Democratic side. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Cedar County (2008)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Hillary Clinton	910	60.30%
	Democratic	Barack Obama	498	33.00%
	Democratic	Others/Uncommitted	101	6.69%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cedar County, Missouri

References

1. "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 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 (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp.  273.
4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 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 14, 2014.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cedar County, Missouri".
11. Breeding, Marshall. "Cedar County Library District". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

External links

• Cedar County, Missouri
• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Cedar County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

37°43′N93°52′W / 37.72°N 93.86°W / 37.72; -93.86