Marion County, Missouri

Last updated

Marion County
County
Marion County MO courthouse Palmyra-001.jpg
Marion County courthouse in Palmyra
Map of Missouri highlighting Marion County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri in United States.svg
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°49′N91°37′W / 39.81°N 91.62°W / 39.81; -91.62
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Missouri.svg  Missouri
FoundedDecember 23, 1826
Named for Francis Marion
Seat Palmyra
Largest city Hannibal
Area
 • Total444 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Land437 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total28,525 Decrease2.svg
 • Density64/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 6th
Website http://marioncountymo.com/

Marion County is a county located in the northeastern portion of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,525. [1] Its county seat is Palmyra. [2] Unique from most third-class counties in the state, Marion has two county courthouses, the second located in Hannibal. [3] The county was organized on December 23, 1826 [4] [5] and named for General Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," who was from South Carolina and served in the American Revolutionary War. [6] The area was known as the "Two Rivers Country" before organization. Marion County is part of the Hannibal, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Quincy-Hannibal, IL-MO Combined Statistical Area.

Contents

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 437 square miles (1,130 km2) is land, and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.7%) is water. [7]

Adjacent counties

Major Roadways

Transit

Railroads

History

Marion County was created by the state legislature in 1845 from parts of Ralls and Shelby Counties. It was settled from Virginia and Kentucky by farmers looking for cheap farmland; some owned slaves. It was named after Francis Marion, a general in the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Palmyra, which was established in 1833 and became a locally important river port on the Mississippi. By the late 1800s, the county was the center of a thriving agricultural community. Tobacco was the main crop, though cotton, wheat, barley, oats, and hay were also grown. Livestock included horses, mules, and cattle. [8]

The best known native son is Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) born in 1835, in the village of Florida. His youthful experiences in Hannibal became the setting for the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. [9] Other prominent locals included Governor John S. Phelps, and Confederate General A.P. Morehead. The region was bitterly divided in the Civil War but Unionist elements prevailed. Palmyra was the site of a skirmish in 1862, and the county was the site of several other battles and raids. Today, Marion County continues to be primarily an agricultural county. It is home to a number of historic sites and buildings, with a major tourist industry focused on Mark Twain characters and settings. [10]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830 4,837—
1840 9,62398.9%
1850 12,23027.1%
1860 18,83854.0%
1870 23,78026.2%
1880 24,8374.4%
1890 26,2335.6%
1900 26,3310.4%
1910 30,57216.1%
1920 30,226−1.1%
1930 33,49310.8%
1940 31,576−5.7%
1950 29,765−5.7%
1960 29,522−0.8%
1970 28,121−4.7%
1980 28,6381.8%
1990 27,682−3.3%
2000 28,2892.2%
2010 28,7811.7%
2020 28,525−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]
1790-1960 [12] 1900-1990 [13]
1990-2000 [14] 2010 [15]

As of the census [16] of 2010, there were 28,781 people, 11,066 households, and 7,524 families residing in the county. The population density was 65 inhabitants per square mile (25/km2). There were 12,443 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.26% White, 4.62% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Approximately 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.5% were German, 25.6% American, 11.0% Irish, and 10.3% English ancestry.

There were 11,066 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,774, and the median income for a family was $41,290. Males had a median income of $30,935 versus $20,591 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,964. About 9.30% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Marion County Racial Composition [17]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)24,93087.4%
Black or African American (NH)1,3634.8%
Native American (NH)670.23%
Asian (NH)1650.58%
Pacific Islander (NH)160.05%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,4685.1%
Hispanic or Latino 5161.8%

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Post-secondary

Public libraries

Hannibal Free Public Library [18]

Communities

Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

Former communities

Politics

Marion County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Mark Novak Democratic
Circuit Clerk Cheryl Damron (Division I) / Chris Tate (Division II) Republican
County Clerk Marla Meyers Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 David Lomax Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Steve Begley Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Larry Welch Republican
Coroner Rick Jones Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Luke A Bryant Republican
Public Administrator Wendy Howe Democratic
Recorder Harla Friez Democratic
Sheriff Jimmy Shinn Republican
Surveyor John D. Janes Independent
Treasurer Joelle Fohey Democratic

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 75.91%10,08222.70% 3,0151.39% 185
2016 65.84%8,48431.86% 4,1052.30% 297
2012 53.03%6,38044.83% 5,3942.14% 257
2008 58.82%7,34139.77% 4,9641.41% 176
2004 67.03%8,29231.77% 3,9301.20% 148
2000 50.05%5,83248.88% 5,6961.07% 125
1996 31.55% 3,38866.68%7,1611.78% 191

Marion County is in Missouri's 5th district in the Missouri House of Representatives, represented by Lindell F. Shumake (R-Hannibal).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 5 — Marion County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Lindell F. Shumake9,53274.88%+0.24
Democratic O.C. Latta3,19725.12%−0.24
Missouri House of Representatives — District 5 — Marion County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Lindell F. Shumake5,08974.64%+12.30
Democratic C. Leroy Deichman1,72925.36%−12.30
Missouri House of Representatives — District 5 — Marion County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Lindell F. Shumake7,44562.34%
Democratic Tom Shively4,49737.66%

All of Marion County is a part of Missouri's 18th District in the Missouri Senate; it is represented by Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown).

Missouri Senate — District 18 — Marion County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Brian Munzlinger5,630100.00%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Marion County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Roy Blunt8,23964.11%+11.46
Democratic Jason Kander4,11532.02%−11.77
Libertarian Jonathan Dine2772.16%−1.40
Green Johnathan McFarland1281.00%+1.00
Constitution Fred Ryman930.72%+0.72
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Marion County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Todd Akin6,35052.65%
Democratic Claire McCaskill5,28143.79%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine4293.56%

Marion County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District - Marion County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Sam Graves9,40574.46%+0.30
Democratic David M. Blackwell2,91523.08%−0.76
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil1931.53%−0.47
Green Mike Diel1180.93%+0.93
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Marion County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Sam Graves5,00874.16%+9.76
Democratic Bill Hedge1,61023.84%−9.88
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil1352.00%+0.12
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Marion County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Sam Graves7,46264.40%
Democratic Kyle Yarber3,90733.72%
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil2181.88%
United States presidential election results for Marion County, Missouri [20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2020 9,91574.13%3,20223.94%2591.94%
2016 9,41972.80%2,99423.14%5254.06%
2012 7,92365.17%4,03133.16%2041.68%
2008 7,70561.38%4,70337.47%1451.16%
2004 7,81562.76%4,56836.68%700.56%
2000 6,55055.93%4,99342.63%1691.44%
1996 4,65343.40%4,92445.93%1,14410.67%
1992 4,76240.41%5,15643.76%1,86515.83%
1988 5,03447.16%5,61752.62%230.22%
1984 6,83159.42%4,66640.58%00.00%
1980 6,03649.53%5,89048.33%2602.13%
1976 5,50147.17%6,12452.51%380.33%
1972 7,19763.31%4,17136.69%00.00%
1968 4,73241.62%5,41647.64%1,22110.74%
1964 3,60530.25%8,31469.75%00.00%
1960 6,43148.76%6,75851.24%00.00%
1956 5,65745.14%6,87454.86%00.00%
1952 6,16242.10%8,45757.78%180.12%
1948 3,80229.37%9,12270.47%200.15%
1944 4,56034.68%8,57565.21%140.11%
1940 5,89237.62%9,72362.09%450.29%
1936 4,62829.39%11,06870.29%510.32%
1932 4,12328.40%10,29370.89%1030.71%
1928 7,66457.34%5,67942.49%240.18%
1924 5,40843.98%5,73946.67%1,1509.35%
1920 4,66040.36%6,71958.20%1661.44%
1916 2,75937.28%4,53461.26%1081.46%
1912 1,69328.65%3,47158.74%74512.61%
1908 2,55437.71%3,98258.80%2363.48%
1904 2,43342.22%3,12754.27%2023.51%
1900 2,49038.16%3,92760.17%1091.67%
1896 2,69939.93%4,00859.30%520.77%
1892 2,15436.47%3,63461.52%1192.01%
1888 2,29439.02%3,36557.24%2203.74%

Historically a Democratic county in the 20th century, with the exception of Republican landslides in 1972 and 1984, Marion County has been reliably Republican since 2000. The last Democrat to receive 40% or more of the vote was Al Gore that same year.

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,587, than any candidate from either party in Marion County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Marion County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Marion County, Missouri". 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Marion County Collection Descriptions". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  5. ↑ "A Short History of Marion County". MOGenWeb. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  6. ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp.  193.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ Thomas C. Hines, The History of Marion County, Missouri: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People and Its Principal Interests (1912).
  9. ↑ Paul A. Shackel, "America’s home town: fiction, Mark Twain, and the re‐creation of Hannibal, Missouri." International Journal of Heritage Studies 17.3 (2011): 197-213. online
  10. ↑ Robert L. Allen and F. Charles Petrillo, eds., History of Marion County, Missouri (1999).
  11. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Marion County, Missouri".
  18. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Hannibal Free Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  19. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Palmyra Bicentennial Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.

Further reading

39°49′N91°37′W / 39.81°N 91.62°W / 39.81; -91.62

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