Christian County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 36°58′N93°11′W / 36.97°N 93.19°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Missouri |
Founded | March 8, 1859 [1] |
Named for | William Christian |
Seat | Ozark |
Largest city | Nixa |
Area | |
• Total | 564 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
• Land | 563 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
• Water | 1.2 sq mi (3 km2) 0.2% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 88,842 |
• Density | 160/sq mi (61/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 7th |
Website | christiancountymo |
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. [2] 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. [3]
Christian County is part of the Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Between 2000 and 2010, it was the fastest-growing county in the state and one of the fastest growing ones in the nation as the county became more suburban due to the booming growth in Springfield. [4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is water. [5] The county is drained by James River and branches of the White River. The surface is undulating or hilly. [6]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 5,491 | — | |
1870 | 6,707 | 22.1% | |
1880 | 9,628 | 43.6% | |
1890 | 14,017 | 45.6% | |
1900 | 16,939 | 20.8% | |
1910 | 15,832 | −6.5% | |
1920 | 15,252 | −3.7% | |
1930 | 13,169 | −13.7% | |
1940 | 13,538 | 2.8% | |
1950 | 12,412 | −8.3% | |
1960 | 12,359 | −0.4% | |
1970 | 15,124 | 22.4% | |
1980 | 22,402 | 48.1% | |
1990 | 32,644 | 45.7% | |
2000 | 54,285 | 66.3% | |
2010 | 77,422 | 42.6% | |
2020 | 88,842 | 14.8% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2020 [11] |
As of the census [12] of 2000, there were 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 96 inhabitants per square mile (37/km2). There were 21,827 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of American, 21.1% German, 12.3% English and 11.3% Irish ancestry.
There were 20,425 households, out of which 38.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $50,200, and the median income for a family was $58,806. Males had a median income of $31,929 versus $21,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 78,890 | 88.8% |
Black or African American (NH) | 597 | 0.7% |
Native American (NH) | 468 | 0.53% |
Asian (NH) | 624 | 0.7% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 68 | 0.08% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 5,183 | 5.83% |
Hispanic or Latino | 3,012 | 3.4% |
The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Christian County. The Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.
On May 20, 2015, Sheriff Joey Kyle plead guilty to embezzling county funds and participating in an illegal fraud scheme. As a part of a plea agreement, he immediately resigned as sheriff, was sentenced to one year plus one day in federal prison, and must repay more than $50,000 in restitution to Christian County. [14]
Christian County, Missouri | |||
---|---|---|---|
Elected countywide officials | |||
Assessor | Danny Gray | Republican | |
Auditor | Amy Dent | Republican | |
Circuit Clerk | Barbie Barnett-Stillings | Republican | |
County Clerk | Kay Brown | Republican | |
Collector | Ted Nichols | Republican | |
Commissioner (Presiding) | Ralph Phillips | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 1) | Mike Robertson | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 2) | Hosea Bilyeu | Republican | |
Coroner | Mandi Armintage | Republican | |
Prosecuting Attorney | Amy Fite | Republican | |
Public Administrator | Ken Davis | Republican | |
Recorder | Kelly Hall | Republican | |
Sheriff | Brad Cole | Republican | |
Treasurer | Karen Matthews | Republican |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 74.60%34,827 | 23.30% 10,863 | 2.1% 970 |
2016 | 68.97%28,618 | 27.94% 11,593 | 3.09% 1,285 |
2012 | 58.01%21,902 | 39.73% 15,000 | 2.26% 852 |
2008 | 49.65%18,556 | 47.73% 17,840 | 2.61% 977 |
2004 | 68.61%21,400 | 30.27% 9,443 | 1.12% 348 |
2000 | 58.90%13,646 | 39.49% 9,148 | 1.61% 373 |
1996 | 56.69%10,559 | 40.22% 7,491 | 3.10% 577 |
Christian County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are represented by Republicans.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Don Phillips | 1,865 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Don Phillips | 856 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Don Phillips | 1,625 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jared Taylor | 16,991 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jered Taylor | 7,528 | 100.00% | +28.86 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Kevin Elmer | 12,375 | 71.14% | ||
Democratic | Bob Rubino | 5,020 | 28.86% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lynn Morris | 14,371 | 75.80% | +3.45 | |
Democratic | Jim Billedo | 4,175 | 22.02% | +1.27 | |
Green | Robert Debbaut | 413 | 2.18% | +2.18 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lynn Morris | 7,151 | 79.25% | −20.75 | |
Democratic | Jim Billedo | 1,872 | 20.75% | +20.75 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lynn Morris | 15,284 | 100.00% |
All of Christian County is a part of Missouri's 20th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jay Wasson | 16,395 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Roy Blunt | 27,812 | 66.93% | +12.53 | |
Democratic | Jason Kander | 11,857 | 28.53% | −9.67 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 1,113 | 2.68% | −4.72 | |
Green | Johnathan McFarland | 356 | 0.86% | +0.86 | |
Constitution | Fred Ryman | 418 | 1.00% | +1.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Todd Akin | 20,383 | 54.40% | ||
Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 14,312 | 38.20% | ||
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 2,774 | 7.40% |
All of Christian County is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R-Springfield) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Billy Long | 28,849 | 70.50% | +6.41 | |
Democratic | Genevieve Williams | 9,890 | 24.17% | −1.75 | |
Libertarian | Benjamin T. Brixey | 2,179 | 5.33% | −4.66 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Billy Long | 12,261 | 64.09% | −2.08 | |
Democratic | Jim Evans | 4,959 | 25.92% | −2.04 | |
Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 1,910 | 9.99% | +4.12 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Billy Long | 24,505 | 66.17% | ||
Democratic | Jim Evans | 10,353 | 27.96% | ||
Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 2,174 | 5.87% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 34,920 | 74.42% | 11,131 | 23.72% | 874 | 1.86% |
2016 | 30,946 | 73.92% | 8,508 | 20.32% | 2,409 | 5.75% |
2012 | 27,473 | 72.37% | 9,813 | 25.85% | 678 | 1.79% |
2008 | 25,382 | 67.08% | 11,883 | 31.41% | 572 | 1.51% |
2004 | 22,102 | 70.51% | 9,059 | 28.90% | 187 | 0.60% |
2000 | 14,824 | 63.82% | 7,896 | 33.99% | 508 | 2.19% |
1996 | 9,477 | 50.97% | 6,627 | 35.64% | 2,491 | 13.40% |
1992 | 7,422 | 43.29% | 6,242 | 36.41% | 3,481 | 20.30% |
1988 | 7,670 | 61.66% | 4,724 | 37.97% | 46 | 0.37% |
1984 | 7,634 | 70.31% | 3,223 | 29.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
1980 | 6,487 | 63.28% | 3,502 | 34.16% | 262 | 2.56% |
1976 | 4,553 | 53.93% | 3,830 | 45.37% | 59 | 0.70% |
1972 | 6,305 | 76.42% | 1,945 | 23.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 4,019 | 64.43% | 1,586 | 25.42% | 633 | 10.15% |
1964 | 3,232 | 54.98% | 2,646 | 45.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 4,627 | 74.04% | 1,622 | 25.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 3,732 | 68.33% | 1,730 | 31.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 4,440 | 76.24% | 1,374 | 23.59% | 10 | 0.17% |
1948 | 3,129 | 66.08% | 1,600 | 33.79% | 6 | 0.13% |
1944 | 4,167 | 78.47% | 1,134 | 21.36% | 9 | 0.17% |
1940 | 4,509 | 72.11% | 1,729 | 27.65% | 15 | 0.24% |
1936 | 4,022 | 61.87% | 2,462 | 37.87% | 17 | 0.26% |
1932 | 2,395 | 47.38% | 2,577 | 50.98% | 83 | 1.64% |
1928 | 3,576 | 75.75% | 1,124 | 23.81% | 21 | 0.44% |
1924 | 2,692 | 62.77% | 1,281 | 29.87% | 316 | 7.37% |
1920 | 3,795 | 78.13% | 919 | 18.92% | 143 | 2.94% |
1916 | 1,978 | 64.37% | 938 | 30.52% | 157 | 5.11% |
1912 | 1,203 | 39.55% | 793 | 26.07% | 1,046 | 34.39% |
1908 | 1,871 | 61.08% | 956 | 31.21% | 236 | 7.70% |
1904 | 1,947 | 66.13% | 871 | 29.59% | 126 | 4.28% |
1900 | 2,107 | 59.59% | 1,326 | 37.50% | 103 | 2.91% |
1896 | 1,983 | 53.32% | 1,729 | 46.49% | 7 | 0.19% |
1892 | 1,559 | 54.32% | 653 | 22.75% | 658 | 22.93% |
1888 | 1,541 | 55.00% | 795 | 28.37% | 466 | 16.63% |
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Christian County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush carried Christian County in 2000 and 2004 by more than two-to-one margins, and like many other rural and exurban counties throughout Missouri, Christian County strongly favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008. The only Democratic presidential candidate to win Christian County since the Civil War has been Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932. [17] In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was the favored candidate receiving 30,941 votes. [18]
Like most areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Christian County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Christian County with 80.46 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 Christian County with 58.98 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 Christian 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 Christian County with 73.01 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 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.
Voters in Christian County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally. Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 5,852, than any candidate from either party in Christian County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.
Christian County currently has three public library branches that serve the community. The Christian County Library (CCL) operates these branches. The library offers residents books, A/V materials, programming, printing, and WiFi access. [19] There is a branch in Ozark, Nixa, and Clever. [20] In August 2019, the library announced the continuation of their expansion to the public. Construction is set to begin on at least one new library branch by spring 2020. [21]
On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, voters in Christian County approved to instate a 20-cent property tax levy. Sixty-eight percent of the voters approved the tax. Before this tax, the library was only able to operate one branch for the whole county. To accommodate new housing and population growth in the county, CCL announced their intentions to construct and/or open new branches around the county. The tax approval also allowed for a renovation of the original Ozark Branch. CCL expects eighty-five percent of the population in Christian County to be within a five-mile radius of the library after all intended branches are opened. [22]
Position Held | Name |
---|---|
President | Ken Barthelette |
Vice President | Loretta Hermann |
Treasurer | Maurine Myers |
Secretary | Heather Davidson |
Member at Large | Christa Mitchell |
The Christian County chapter of the Bald Knobbers created the distinctive masks that the group has become known for, despite the original Taney County chapter never adopting such masks. [25] This masked depiction is what would eventually be used in the book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright. The book would later be adapted to film and the stage. This masked depiction can also be seen on the ride Fire in the Hole located at Silver Dollar City.
Jason Bourne, the main protagonist of the Bourne film franchise was from Nixa, the largest city in Christian County.
The 2010 film Winter's Bone was filmed entirely in Taney County and Christian County. Many locals were cast in significant roles in the film. [26]
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.
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.
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.
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 Micropolitan Statistical Area.
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.
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.
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.
Miller County is a county located in the northern Ozarks region of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,722. Its county seat is Tuscumbia. The county was organized February 6, 1837, and named for John Miller, former U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri.
Lawrence County is located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri, in the area of the Ozarks. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,001. Its county seat is Mount Vernon. The county was organized in 1845 and named for James Lawrence, a naval officer from the War of 1812 known for his battle cry, "Don't give up the ship!"
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.
Greene County is located in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 298,915. making it the fourth most-populous county in Missouri.
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.
Camden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 42,745. Its county seat is Camdenton. The county was organized on January 29, 1841, as Kinderhook County and renamed Camden County in 1843 after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom and leader of the British Whig Party. Camden County is also the primary setting of the Netflix show Ozark.
Clever is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,139 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clever, like the rest of Christian County, saw a significant increase in population between 2000 and 2010.
Ozark is a city in and the county seat of Christian County, Missouri. Its population was 21,284 as of the 2020 census. Ozark is also the third largest city in the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, and is centered along a business loop of U.S. Route 65, where it intersects with Missouri Route 14.
Sparta is a city in north central Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,756 at the 2010 census.
Rogersville is a city in Greene and Webster counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 3,897 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Rogersville was formerly known as the "Raccoon Capital of the World". In 2006, 417 Magazine ranked Rogersville as the eighth-best place to live in Southwest Missouri.
Chadwick is an unincorporated community in eastern Christian County, Missouri, United States. The total population of Chadwick Township per the 2020 census was 403. It is located approximately six miles southeast of Sparta along Missouri Route 125. The community of Oldfield is approximately three miles to the north along Route 125. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its ZIP code is 65629.
The Springfield, Missouri, metropolitan area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield, the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Bolivar, Marshfield and Willard. Currently, the city limits of Springfield reach the Nixa, and Ozark city limits at the Christian County line on US 160, and US 65 respectively, the city limits of Republic at James River Freeway on the southwest side of the city, and the Strafford city limits on Route 744 on the northeast side of the city.
Missouri's 7th congressional district consists of Southwest Missouri. The district includes Springfield, the home of Missouri State University, the Joplin, Missouri, metropolitan area, Missouri's 5th largest, and the popular tourist destination city of Branson. Located along the borders of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Northwest Arkansas, the district occupies part of the Bible Belt with a strong socially conservative trend. George W. Bush defeated John Kerry here 67% to 32% in the 2004 election. Republican John McCain defeated Democrat Barack Obama 63.1% to 35.3% in the 2008 election. Republican and Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney defeated Barack Obama 67.6% to 30.3% in the 2012 election. In the 2020 election, Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Joe Biden 69.91% to 28.93%. As of 2020, this district is the second most strongly Republican district in Missouri and is one of the most strongly Republican districts in the United States.