Monroe County, Missouri

Monroe County
County
The Monroe County Courthouse in Paris
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°30′N92°00′W / 39.5°N 92°W / 39.5; -92
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Founded	January 6, 1831
Named for	James Monroe
Seat	Paris
Largest city	Monroe City
Area
• Total	670 sq mi (1,700 km2)
• Land	648 sq mi (1,680 km2)
• Water	23 sq mi (60 km2)  3.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,666
• Density	13/sq mi (5.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	6th
Website	www.monroecountymo.org

Monroe County is a county in northeast Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,666. ^[1] Its county seat is Paris. ^[2] It is the birthplace of Mark Twain.

History

The county was organized January 6, 1831 ^[3] and named for James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. ^[4]

Monroe County was one of several along the Missouri River settled by migrants from the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Tennessee. They brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them and quickly started cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco. They also brought characteristic antebellum architecture and culture. The county was at the heart of what was called Little Dixie. ^[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 670 square miles (1,700 km²), of which 648 square miles (1,680 km²) is land and 23 square miles (60 km²) (3.4%) is water. ^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Shelby County (north)
• Marion County (northeast)
• Ralls County (east)
• Audrain County (south)
• Randolph County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 24
• U.S. Route 36
• Route 15
• Route 107
• Route 151

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	9,505		—
1850	10,541		10.9%
1860	14,785		40.3%
1870	17,149		16.0%
1880	19,071		11.2%
1890	20,790		9.0%
1900	19,716		−5.2%
1910	18,304		−7.2%
1920	16,414		−10.3%
1930	13,466		−18.0%
1940	13,195		−2.0%
1950	11,314		−14.3%
1960	10,688		−5.5%
1970	9,542		−10.7%
1980	9,716		1.8%
1990	9,104		−6.3%
2000	9,311		2.3%
2010	8,840		−5.1%
2020	8,666		−2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9] 1990-2000 [10] 2010-2015 [11]

As of the census ^[12] of 2010, there were 8,840 people, 3,656 households, and 2,566 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 inhabitants per square mile (5.4/km²). There were 4,565 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.66% White, 3.83% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Approximately 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.7% were of German, 23.2% American, 14.2% English and 11.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,656 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,871, and the median income for a family was $36,895. Males had a median income of $26,534 versus $20,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,695. About 8.30% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Monroe County Racial Composition ^[13]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	7,902	91.2%
Black or African American (NH)	177	2.04%
Native American (NH)	32	0.36%
Asian (NH)	31	0.36%
Pacific Islander (NH)	1	0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)	364	4.2%
Hispanic or Latino	159	1.83%

Government and politics

Local

The Democratic Party used to dominate politics at the local, state and federal levels in Monroe County. However, like the rest of the state, the county has swung heavily towards the Republican Party in recent years, with Republicans now controlling 10 of the 13 elected positions in the county.

The GOP began to make gains in the county in 2006 at the state and federal level, and has gained ground in almost every election since.

Monroe County voters have selected Republican candidates over Democrats in 13 consecutive U.S. House elections (1998 through 2022), the last nine U.S. Senate elections (2000 through 2022), six continuous presidential contests (2000 through 2020), four of five gubernatorial elections (2004 through 2020), five of six state Senate races, and the last four state auditor races (2010 through 2022). In 2014, for the first time in history,^{[ citation needed ]} Republican Jim Hansen defeated a Democrat to represent the county in the state House of Representatives. In 2016, for the first time in history, Ron Staggs, a Republican, was elected to a county office when he defeated a Democratic opponent for western commissioner. In 2018 two Republicans were elected to county offices: Talley Kendrick, the first Republican to run unopposed in a general election won as prosecuting attorney, and Lori Decker won a contested election for recorder. In the 2020 general election, four Republicans were elected to county office. In 2022, Curt Wheeler beat a Democrat and an Independent, to become the county's first Republican presiding commissioner.

In the 2008 general election, notwithstanding the secretary of state's race, for the first time in history, Monroe Countians gave a plurality to every Republican candidate for federal and state offices, on the ballot, that had a Democratic opponent. Four years later, in the 2012 election, Republican candidates won six of eight state-wide state and federal races, and one was lost by five votes out of more than 4,000 cast. In November 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 every Republican for federal and state office, on the county ballot, defeated their Democratic opponent.

In the April 2016 presidential primary, Republicans outvoted Democrats more than 3-to-1, 1,600 votes in the GOP primary compared to 495 in the Democratic, and more Republican votes than Democratic were cast in the 2020 presidential primary. In 2016's August primary, Republicans out voted Democrats 895 to 698; in the 2018 August primary, Republicans out voted Democrats 1,621 votes to 851. In both the 2020 presidential primary and the August primary Republicans outvoted Democrats two-to-one.

Monroe County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Melinda James	Republican
Circuit Clerk	Heather D. Wheeler	Republican
County Clerk	Beth Whelan	Republican
Collector	Chrissy Graupman	Republican
Commissioner (Presiding)	Curt Wheeler	Republican
Commissioner (District 1)	Mike Whelan	Democratic
Commissioner (District 2)	Marilyn Morgan O'Bannon	Republican
Coroner	James K. Reinhard	Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney	Nicole Volkert	Republican
Public Administrator	Jessica Chase	Republican
Recorder	Lori Decker	Republican
Sheriff	Joe Collston	Republican
Treasurer	Shelia Jurgesmyer	Democratic

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	78.23%3,472	20.28% 900	1.49% 66
2016	64.44%2,659	33.13% 1,367	2.42% 100
2012	48.55% 1,948	48.68%1,953	2.77% 111
2008	56.97%2,459	41.94% 1,810	1.09% 47
2004	60.00%2,576	38.90% 1,670	1.10% 47
2000	44.08% 1,801	54.19%2,214	1.73% 71
1996	27.51% 1,053	70.72%2,707	1.78% 68

Monroe County is divided into two representative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both represented by Republicans.

• District 5 — Lindell F. Shumake (R-Hannibal). Consists of Monroe City and the northern part of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 5 — Monroe County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Lindell F. Shumake	782	74.33%	+5.35
	Democratic	O. C. Latta	270	25.67%	-5.35

Missouri House of Representatives — District 5 — Monroe County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Lindell F. Shumake	367	68.98%	+27.93
	Democratic	C. Leroy Deichman	165	31.02%	-27.93

Missouri House of Representatives — District 5 — Monroe County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Lindell F. Shumake	429	41.05%
	Democratic	Tom Shively	616	58.95%

• District 40 – Jim Hansen (R-Frankford). Consists of the communities of Florida, Holliday, Madison, Paris, Santa Fe, and Stoutsville.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 40 — Monroe County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Hansen	2,598	100.00%	+27.01

Missouri House of Representatives — District 40 — Monroe County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Hansen	1,208	72.99%	+36.82
	Democratic	Lowell Jackson	447	27.01%	-36.82

Missouri House of Representatives — District 40 — Monroe County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Hansen	1,080	36.17%
	Democratic	Paul Quinn	1,906	63.83%

Monroe County is a part of Missouri's 10th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Jeanie Riddle (R-Fulton).

Missouri Senate — District 10 — Monroe County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jeanie Riddle	1,599	71.55%
	Democratic	Ed Schieffer	620	28.45%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Monroe County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Roy Blunt	2,584	62.89%	+15.00
	Democratic	Jason Kander	1,330	32.39%	-14.77
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	105	2.55%	-2.40
	Green	Johnathan McFarland	48	1.69%	+1.69
	Constitution	Fred Ryman	42	1.02%	+1.02

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Monroe County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Todd Akin	1,917	47.89%
	Democratic	Claire McCaskill	1,888	47.16%
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	198	4.95%

Monroe County is included in Missouri's 6th congressional district and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Monroe County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sam Graves	2,955	74.15%	+0.82
	Democratic	David M. Blackwell	899	22.56%	-1.81
	Libertarian	Russ Lee Monchil	94	2.36%	+0.06
	Green	Mike Diel	37	0.93%	+0.93

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Monroe County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sam Graves	1,592	73.33%	+10.41
	Democratic	Bill Hedge	529	24.37%	-10.38
	Libertarian	Russ Lee Monchil	50	2.30%	+0.02

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Monroe County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sam Graves	2,410	62.92%
	Democratic	Kyle Yarber	1,331	34.75%
	Libertarian	Russ Lee Monchil	89	2.32%

Political culture

During the 19th century and most of the 20th century Democrats controlled Monroe County. The county was one of only two jurisdictions in Missouri to be carried by Democrat George McGovern in the 1972 presidential election against incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon, the other being the city of St. Louis. Monroe County was first carried by a Republican in 1976 by John Danforth in the U.S. Senate race. In 1984, Ronald Reagan became the first Republican candidate for president to win the county. Since 2000, the county has voted Republican in federal and state elections, and now Republicans control two-thirds of elected county positions.

United States presidential election results for Monroe County, Missouri ^[14]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	3,477	77.56%	936	20.88%	70	1.56%
2016	3,159	76.01%	853	20.52%	144	3.46%
2012	2,564	63.20%	1,398	34.46%	95	2.34%
2008	2,533	58.72%	1,703	39.48%	78	1.81%
2004	2,632	61.11%	1,647	38.24%	28	0.65%
2000	2,175	53.13%	1,860	45.43%	59	1.44%
1996	1,333	34.80%	1,938	50.59%	560	14.62%
1992	1,153	27.54%	2,060	49.20%	974	23.26%
1988	1,542	38.42%	2,461	61.31%	11	0.27%
1984	2,163	52.06%	1,992	47.94%	0	0.00%
1980	2,026	44.48%	2,445	53.68%	84	1.84%
1976	1,585	34.09%	3,039	65.35%	26	0.56%
1972	2,141	48.22%	2,299	51.78%	0	0.00%
1968	1,349	29.07%	2,776	59.81%	516	11.12%
1964	928	18.45%	4,103	81.55%	0	0.00%
1960	1,519	27.47%	4,011	72.53%	0	0.00%
1956	1,331	23.18%	4,412	76.82%	0	0.00%
1952	1,488	23.77%	4,760	76.05%	11	0.18%
1948	809	14.49%	4,769	85.39%	7	0.13%
1944	1,098	17.98%	5,000	81.89%	8	0.13%
1940	1,200	16.60%	6,018	83.23%	13	0.18%
1936	939	12.79%	6,376	86.87%	25	0.34%
1932	714	10.25%	6,210	89.12%	44	0.63%
1928	1,378	21.69%	4,957	78.01%	19	0.30%
1924	1,141	16.51%	5,597	81.00%	172	2.49%
1920	1,406	18.42%	6,136	80.37%	93	1.22%
1916	742	16.20%	3,738	81.60%	101	2.20%
1912	583	13.04%	3,586	80.22%	301	6.73%
1908	871	18.61%	3,772	80.58%	38	0.81%
1904	790	18.17%	3,487	80.18%	72	1.66%
1900	795	16.30%	4,016	82.35%	66	1.35%
1896	892	16.85%	4,379	82.72%	23	0.43%
1892	787	16.57%	3,863	81.33%	100	2.11%
1888	983	20.09%	3,873	79.15%	37	0.76%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Missouri presidential preference primary (2016)

In the April 2016 presidential primary, Republicans out voted Democrats more than 3-to-1, 1,600 votes in the GOP primary compared to 495 in the Democrat. In 2016's August primary, Republicans outvoted Democrats 895 to 698.

Education

Public schools

• Holliday C-2 School District – Holliday
  • Holliday Elementary School (K-08)
• Madison C-3 School District – Madison
  • Madison Elementary School (PK-06)
  • Madison High School (07-12)
• Middle Grove C-1 School District – Madison
  • Middle Grove Elementary School (K-08)
• Monroe City R-I School District – Monroe City
  • Monroe City Elementary School (PK-04)
  • Monroe City Middle School (05-08)
  • Monroe City High School (09-12)
• Paris R-II School District – Paris
  • Paris Elementary School (PK-06)
  • Paris Junior High School (07-08)
  • Paris High School (09-12)

Private schools

• Holy Rosary School – Monroe City (K-09) – Roman Catholic
• Foundation for Life Christian School – Paris (PK-12) – Nondenominational Christian

Public libraries

• Monroe City Public Library ^[15]

Communities

Cities and Towns

• Florida
• Holliday
• Madison
• Monroe City (partly in Marion County and a small part in Ralls County)
• Paris (county seat)
• Stoutsville

Unincorporated Communities

• Ash
• Clapper
• Evansville
• Granville
• Indian Creek
• Middle Grove
• North Fork
• Santa Fe
• Strother
• Tulip
• Woodlawn

Notable people

• Mark Twain, American author and humorist, was born in Monroe County. The Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site in Mark Twain State Park commemorates this occasion. ^[16]
• Xenophon Overton Pindall, member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Arkansas State Senate and Acting Governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas ^[17]
• Eli C. D. Shortridge, third Governor of North Dakota from 1893 to 1895' raised in Monroe County. ^[18]

See also

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

References

1. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Smiley, W. L. (1876). An illustrated historical atlas of Monroe County, Missouri, 1876. Philadelphia: Edwards Brothers. p. 8. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p.  212.
5. The Story of Little Dixie, Missouri, Missouri Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Archived 2012-07-17 at the Wayback Machine , accessed 3 June 2008
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
10. "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.
11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Monroe County, Missouri".
14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
15. Breeding, Marshall. "Monroe City Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
16. "Mark Twain Birthplace State Historical Site". Missouri State Parks. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
17. "Arkansas Governor Xenophon Overton Pindall". National Governors Association. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
18. "North Dakota Governor Eli C. D. Shortridge". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 29, 2012.

External links

• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Monroe County Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
• Monroe County Sheriff's Office

39°30′N92°00′W / 39.50°N 92.00°W / 39.50; -92.00