Lawrence County, Missouri

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Lawrence County
County
Lawrence County MO Courthouse 20151022-120.jpg
The Lawrence County Courthouse in Mt. Vernon
Map of Missouri highlighting Lawrence County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri in United States.svg
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°07′N93°50′W / 37.11°N 93.83°W / 37.11; -93.83
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Missouri.svg  Missouri
FoundedFebruary 14, 1845
Named for James Lawrence
Seat Mount Vernon
Largest city Monett
Area
 • Total
613 sq mi (1,590 km2)
 • Land612 sq mi (1,590 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
38,001
 • Density62/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th
Website www.lawrencecountymo.org

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. [1] Its county seat is Mount Vernon. [2] 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!" [3]

Contents

A previous Lawrence County, established in 1815 with its county seat at what is now Davidsonville Historic State Park in Arkansas, covered much of what is now southern Missouri and the northern third of Arkansas. When the Arkansas Territory was created from Missouri Territory in 1819, some of that earlier county became organized as Lawrence County, Arkansas. [4]

Just before that, in 1818, Missouri divided its part of the old Lawrence County into Wayne County and Madison County; with population increases, those counties were later divided into others, including the present Lawrence County.

Racial history

Following the Reconstruction era, southwestern Missouri became increasingly hostile to African Americans, and whites attacked blacks in Lawrence and other counties, seeking to expel them from the region. An African-American man was lynched in Verona, Missouri on January 26, 1894; his name was not recorded. [5] On August 19, 1901, three men were lynched by a white mob in the county seat, Pierce City, in Lawrence County. The mob also burned down some black homes, and drove roughly 30 families, a total of 300 African Americans, out of the city altogether. Whites took over their properties and the African Americans were never compensated for losses. [6]

As a result of such incidents, many African Americans left Southwest Missouri in the early 20th century. [7] [8] The extrajudicial murders were part of a pattern of discrimination, repeated violence and intimidation of African Americans in southwest Missouri from 1894 to 1909. [7] Whites in Greene conducted a mass lynching of three African-Americans in 1906 in the courthouse square. [7] [8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 613 square miles (1,590 km2), of which 612 square miles (1,590 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water. [9] Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lawrence County.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850 4,859—
1860 8,84081.9%
1870 12,97746.8%
1880 17,58335.5%
1890 26,22849.2%
1900 31,66220.7%
1910 26,583−16.0%
1920 24,211−8.9%
1930 23,774−1.8%
1940 24,6373.6%
1950 23,420−4.9%
1960 23,260−0.7%
1970 24,5855.7%
1980 28,97317.8%
1990 30,2364.4%
2000 35,20416.4%
2010 38,6349.7%
2020 38,001−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [10]
1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12]
1990-2000 [13] 2010 [14]

As of the census [15] of 2000, there were 35,204 people, 13,568 households, and 9,728 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 14,789 housing units at an average density of 24 units per square mile (9.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.68% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Approximately 3.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,568 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,239, and the median income for a family was $36,846. Males had a median income of $27,309 versus $18,990 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,399. About 11.00% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Lawrence County Racial Composition [16]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)32,40185.26%
Black or African American (NH)1340.35%
Native American (NH)3330.9%
Asian (NH)1710.45%
Pacific Islander (NH)400.11%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,9355.1%
Hispanic or Latino 2,9877.86%

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Public libraries

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

Politics

Local

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

Lawrence County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Doug Bowerman Republican
Circuit Clerk Steven W. Kahre Republican
County Clerk Gary Emerson Republican
Collector Kelli McVey Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Sam Goodman Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Joe Ruscha Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Rodney Barnes Republican
Coroner Scott Lakin Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Darlene Parrigon Republican
Public Administrator Pam Fobair Republican
Recorder Pam Robertson Republican
Sheriff Brad DeLay Republican
Surveyor Aaron Austin Republican
Treasurer Kathy Fairchild Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 69.34%11,56526.87% 4,4823.79% 632
2012 57.51%9,02239.91% 6,2612.58% 405
2008 49.15%8,11847.94% 7,9182.91% 482
2004 70.22%11,06928.55% 4,5001.23% 194
2000 58.24%7,44739.93% 5,1061.82% 233
1996 54.20%6,69542.13% 5,2043.68% 454

Lawrence County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 157 — Lawrence County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Moon11,63274.17%−1.94
Independent Stephanie Davis4,05025.83%+25.83
Missouri House of Representatives — District 157 — Lawrence County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Moon6,40776.11%−23.89
Democratic Vince Jennings2,01123.89%+23.89
Missouri House of Representatives — District 157 — Lawrence County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Don Ruzicka13,426100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 158 — Lawrence County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Scott Fitzpatrick434100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 158 — Lawrence County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Scott Fitzpatrick246100.00%+16.55
Missouri House of Representatives — District 158 — Lawrence County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Scott Fitzpatrick37383.45%
Constitution Sue Beck7416.55%

All of Lawrence County is a part of Missouri's 29th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by David Sater (R-Cassville.

Missouri Senate — District 29 — Lawrence County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican David Sater14,298100.00%
Missouri Senate — District 29 — Lawrence County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican David Sater13,580100.00%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Lawrence County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Roy Blunt11,52569.04%+14.46
Democratic Jason Kander4,33625.98%−11.41
Libertarian Jonathan Dine4402.64%−5.39
Green Johnathan McFarland1921.15%+1.15
Constitution Fred Ryman1991.19%+1.19
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Lawrence County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Todd Akin8,51054.58%
Democratic Claire McCaskill5,83037.39%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine1,2528.03%

All of Lawrence 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Lawrence County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Billy Long11,62270.77%+12.23
Democratic Genevieve Williams3,81323.22%−6.55
Libertarian Benjamin T. Brixey9876.01%−5.68
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Lawrence County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Billy Long5,07858.54%−6.22
Democratic Jim Evans2,58329.77%+1.17
Libertarian Kevin Craig1,01411.69%+5.05
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 7th Congressional District — Lawrence County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Billy Long9,95664.76%
Democratic Jim Evans4,39728.60%
Libertarian Kevin Craig1,0206.64%

Political culture

United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Missouri [18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 15,00181.12%3,24817.56%2431.31%
2020 14,42680.43%3,21417.92%2951.64%
2016 13,08977.86%2,90117.26%8214.88%
2012 11,42172.49%4,01725.50%3172.01%
2008 11,26367.50%5,09730.55%3251.95%
2004 11,19470.82%4,50628.51%1060.67%
2000 8,30564.36%4,23532.82%3632.81%
1996 6,09949.46%4,46536.21%1,76814.34%
1992 5,60843.50%4,66636.20%2,61720.30%
1988 6,91160.73%4,43238.95%360.32%
1984 8,37069.23%3,72030.77%00.00%
1980 7,92161.68%4,67036.36%2521.96%
1976 5,78451.93%5,31547.72%380.34%
1972 8,44572.96%3,13027.04%00.00%
1968 6,83459.73%3,71032.42%8987.85%
1964 6,04748.65%6,38351.35%00.00%
1960 8,40665.22%4,48334.78%00.00%
1956 7,37260.62%4,78939.38%00.00%
1952 8,02965.30%4,23234.42%340.28%
1948 5,39253.61%4,64946.22%170.17%
1944 6,83663.76%3,85935.99%270.25%
1940 7,31757.88%5,27941.76%450.36%
1936 6,18549.72%6,18449.71%700.56%
1932 4,14638.63%6,41159.74%1751.63%
1928 6,32863.17%3,64636.40%430.43%
1924 4,49949.35%3,76841.33%8499.31%
1920 6,09361.33%3,53235.55%3103.12%
1916 3,22850.83%2,80944.24%3134.93%
1912 1,31223.36%2,38442.45%1,92034.19%
1908 3,02850.87%2,53242.54%3926.59%
1904 3,07752.55%2,37240.51%4066.93%
1900 3,55250.44%3,31347.05%1772.51%
1896 2,96246.46%3,36952.85%440.69%
1892 2,62344.44%2,42841.14%85114.42%
1888 2,46047.46%2,18142.08%54210.46%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Voters in Lawrence 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 2,628, than any candidate from either party in Lawrence County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Lawrence County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp.  184.
  4. ↑ "1815 city got off to fine start". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (behind paywall). November 1, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Lynching in Missouri", Saline County, Missouri/MOGenWeb Project, 1996-2018; accessed April 12, 2018
  6. ↑ "Pierce City: August 19th, 1901". oaahm.omeka.net. Ozarks Afro-American History Museum Online. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 Kimberly Harper, White Man's Heaven: The Lynching and Expulsion of Blacks in the Southern Ozarks, 1894-1909, University of Arkansas Press, 2012
  8. 1 2 Lynching in America/ Supplement: Lynchings by County, 3rd edition Archived October 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , Montgomery, Alabama: Equal Justice Initiative, 2015, p. 7
  9. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  13. ↑ "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 16, 2014.
  14. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lawrence County, Missouri".
  17. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Barry-Lawrence Regional Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.

Further reading

37°07′N93°50′W / 37.11°N 93.83°W / 37.11; -93.83

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