Ozark County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 36°39′N92°26′W / 36.65°N 92.44°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Missouri |
Founded | January 29, 1841 |
Named for | Ozark Mountains |
Seat | Gainesville |
Largest city | Gainesville |
Area | |
• Total | 755 sq mi (1,960 km2) |
• Land | 745 sq mi (1,930 km2) |
• Water | 10 sq mi (30 km2) 1.4% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,553 |
• Density | 11/sq mi (4.4/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 8th |
Website | www |
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. [1] The largest city and county seat is Gainesville. [2] 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. [3]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 square miles (1,960 km2), of which 745 square miles (1,930 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.4%) is water. [4] Arkansas is located to the south of Ozark County.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 2,294 | — | |
1860 | 2,447 | 6.7% | |
1870 | 3,363 | 37.4% | |
1880 | 5,618 | 67.1% | |
1890 | 9,795 | 74.4% | |
1900 | 12,145 | 24.0% | |
1910 | 11,926 | −1.8% | |
1920 | 11,125 | −6.7% | |
1930 | 9,537 | −14.3% | |
1940 | 10,766 | 12.9% | |
1950 | 8,856 | −17.7% | |
1960 | 6,744 | −23.8% | |
1970 | 6,226 | −7.7% | |
1980 | 7,961 | 27.9% | |
1990 | 8,598 | 8.0% | |
2000 | 9,542 | 11.0% | |
2010 | 9,723 | 1.9% | |
2020 | 8,553 | −12.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790-1960 [6] 1900-1990 [7] 1990-2000 [8] 2010-2015 [9] |
As of the census [10] of 2000, there were 9,542 people, 3,950 households, and 2,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 5,114 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.57% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Approximately 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Ozark County were 28.6% American, 15.9% German, 12.1% English, and 11.4% Irish.
There were 3,950 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 28.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,508, and the median income for a family was $36,622. Males had a median income of $21,685 versus $17,312 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,302. About 16.10% of families and 21.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.80% of those under age 18 and 17.20% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Ozark County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Ozark County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (25.79%), Churches of Christ (24.83%), and Pentecostals (17.07%).
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 8,000 | 93.5% |
Black or African American (NH) | 19 | 0.22% |
Native American (NH) | 38 | 0.44% |
Asian (NH) | 14 | 0.16% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 5 | 0.06% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 368 | 4.3% |
Hispanic or Latino | 109 | 1.27% |
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Ozark County, 73.0% possesses a high school diploma or higher while 8.3% holds a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.
Gainesville Library
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The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Ozark County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.
Ozark County, Missouri | |||
---|---|---|---|
Elected countywide officials | |||
Assessor | Jama Berry | Republican | |
Circuit Clerk | Jackie Smith | Republican | |
County Clerk | Brian Wise | Republican | |
Collector | Darla Sullivan | Republican | |
Commissioner (Presiding) | Terry Newton | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 1) | Gary Collins | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 2) | Layne Nance | Republican | |
Coroner | Gene Britt | Republican | |
Prosecuting Attorney | Lee Pipkins | Republican | |
Public Administrator | Melinda Abraham | Republican | |
Recorder | Jackie Smith | Republican | |
Sheriff | Cass Martin | Republican | |
Surveyor | Matt Wade | Republican | |
Treasurer | Christy Thompson | Republican |
All of Ozark County is a part of Missouri's 155th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Travis Smith (R-Dora). [12]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lyle Rowland | 3,799 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lyle Rowland | 2,257 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lyle Rowland | 3,591 | 100.00% |
All of Ozark County is a part of Missouri's 33rd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Carla Eslinger (R-Wasola).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Cunningham | 3,787 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Cunningham | 3,608 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Roy Blunt | 3,085 | 69.02% | +19.04 | |
Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,113 | 24.90% | −17.45 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 126 | 2.82% | −4.85 | |
Green | Johnathan McFarland | 70 | 1.56% | +1.56 | |
Constitution | Fred Ryman | 76 | 1.70% | +1.70 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Todd Akin | 2,202 | 49.98% | ||
Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,866 | 42.35% | ||
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 338 | 7.67% |
Ozark County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason T. Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason T. Smith | 3,478 | 80.11% | +9.61 | |
Democratic | Dave Cowell | 723 | 16.61% | −0.85 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Shell | 143 | 3.28% | +1.09 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason T. Smith | 1,833 | 70.50% | −1.54 | |
Democratic | Barbara Stocker | 454 | 17.46% | −2.04 | |
Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 57 | 2.19% | −0.97 | |
Constitution | Doug Enyart | 33 | 1.27% | −4.03 | |
Independent | Terry Hampton | 223 | 8.58% | +8.58 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason T. Smith | 639 | 72.04% | −3.05 | |
Democratic | Steve Hodges | 173 | 19.50% | −1.36 | |
Libertarian | Bill Slantz | 28 | 3.16% | −0.89 | |
Constitution | Doug Enyart | 47 | 5.30% | +5.30 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jo Ann Emerson | 3,264% | 75.09% | ||
Democratic | Jack Rushin | 907 | 20.86% | ||
Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 176 | 4.05% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 82.25%3,963 | 15.96% 769 | 1.78% 86 |
2016 | 68.66%3,078 | 27.39% 1,228 | 3.95% 177 |
2012 | 52.63%2,334 | 43.92% 1,948 | 3.45% 153 |
2008 | 42.47% 1,967 | 53.63%2,484 | 3.90% 181 |
2004 | 63.04%2,949 | 34.80% 1,628 | 2.16% 101 |
2000 | 58.65%2,502 | 38.54% 1,644 | 2.81% 120 |
1996 | 59.15%2,376 | 38.16% 1,533 | 2.69% 108 |
1992 | 53.21%2,222 | 46.79% 1,954 | 0.00% 0 |
1988 | 74.47%2,721 | 25.18% 920 | 0.36% 13 |
1984 | 74.92%2,742 | 25.08% 918 | 0.00% 0 |
1980 | 61.61%2,287 | 38.20% 1,418 | 0.19% 7 |
1976 | 61.76%1,886 | 38.21% 1,167 | 0.03% 1 |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 4,064 | 83.55% | 752 | 15.46% | 48 | 0.99% |
2016 | 3,639 | 80.78% | 724 | 16.07% | 142 | 3.15% |
2012 | 3,080 | 69.17% | 1,261 | 28.32% | 112 | 2.52% |
2008 | 2,918 | 62.27% | 1,661 | 35.45% | 107 | 2.28% |
2004 | 3,083 | 65.50% | 1,561 | 33.16% | 63 | 1.34% |
2000 | 2,663 | 62.05% | 1,432 | 33.36% | 197 | 4.59% |
1996 | 1,882 | 47.18% | 1,445 | 36.22% | 662 | 16.60% |
1992 | 1,772 | 41.49% | 1,581 | 37.02% | 918 | 21.49% |
1988 | 2,404 | 64.21% | 1,329 | 35.50% | 11 | 0.29% |
1984 | 2,614 | 70.19% | 1,110 | 29.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
1980 | 2,434 | 64.56% | 1,242 | 32.94% | 94 | 2.49% |
1976 | 1,754 | 56.49% | 1,341 | 43.19% | 10 | 0.32% |
1972 | 2,119 | 77.22% | 625 | 22.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 1,967 | 68.37% | 606 | 21.06% | 304 | 10.57% |
1964 | 1,540 | 59.14% | 1,064 | 40.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 2,595 | 78.26% | 721 | 21.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 2,141 | 70.71% | 887 | 29.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 2,572 | 77.73% | 734 | 22.18% | 3 | 0.09% |
1948 | 1,967 | 69.46% | 859 | 30.33% | 6 | 0.21% |
1944 | 2,707 | 81.10% | 628 | 18.81% | 3 | 0.09% |
1940 | 3,421 | 77.66% | 965 | 21.91% | 19 | 0.43% |
1936 | 2,981 | 68.47% | 1,359 | 31.21% | 14 | 0.32% |
1932 | 1,730 | 55.70% | 1,358 | 43.72% | 18 | 0.58% |
1928 | 2,616 | 82.68% | 529 | 16.72% | 19 | 0.60% |
1924 | 1,758 | 69.05% | 688 | 27.02% | 100 | 3.93% |
1920 | 2,457 | 79.72% | 569 | 18.46% | 56 | 1.82% |
1916 | 1,331 | 65.89% | 654 | 32.38% | 35 | 1.73% |
1912 | 695 | 32.69% | 575 | 27.05% | 856 | 40.26% |
1908 | 1,233 | 65.76% | 594 | 31.68% | 48 | 2.56% |
1904 | 1,305 | 68.00% | 556 | 28.97% | 58 | 3.02% |
1900 | 1,272 | 63.28% | 695 | 34.58% | 43 | 2.14% |
1896 | 1,187 | 53.47% | 1,025 | 46.17% | 8 | 0.36% |
1892 | 881 | 57.24% | 387 | 25.15% | 271 | 17.61% |
1888 | 884 | 59.13% | 434 | 29.03% | 177 | 11.84% |
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Ozark County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush carried Ozark County in 2000 and 2004 by convincing two-to-one margins. Like many other rural counties throughout Missouri, Ozark County favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Ozark County in over 150 years. [14]
Like most rural areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Ozark County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to 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 Ozark County with 82.18 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 narrowly failed in Ozark County with 51.07 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 Ozark 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 Ozark County with 76.94 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.
In the 2008 presidential primary, voters in Ozark 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 766, than any candidate from either party in Ozark County during the 2008 presidential primary.
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.
Wayne County is a county located in the Ozark foothills in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,974. The county seat is Greenville. The county was officially organized on December 11, 1818, and is named after General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who served in the American Revolution. As of August 28, 2023, Wayne County is designated the UFO Capital of Missouri, along with the city of Piedmont.
Warren County is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,532. The county is located on the north side of the Missouri River. Its county seat is Warrenton. The county was established on January 5, 1833, and was named for General Joseph Warren, who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.
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.
Ripley County is a county in the Ozarks of Missouri. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 10,679. The largest city and county seat is Doniphan. The county was officially organized on January 5, 1833, and is named after Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, a soldier who served with distinction in the War of 1812.
Reynolds County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region in the Lead Belt of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,096. Its county seat is Centerville. The county was officially organized on February 25, 1845, and was named in honor of former Governor of Missouri Thomas Reynolds.
Oregon County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,635. Its county seat is Alton. The county was officially organized on February 14, 1845, and was named for the Oregon Territory in the northwestern United States.
McDonald County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,303. Its county seat is Pineville. The county was organized in 1849 and named for Sergeant Alexander McDonald, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. The county has three sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Old McDonald County Courthouse and the Powell Bridge.
Iron County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,537. The largest city and county seat is Ironton. Iron County was officially organized on February 17, 1857, and was named after the abundance of iron ore found within its borders.
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.
Gasconade County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,794. The county seat has been Hermann since 1842. The county was named after the Gasconade River.
Dunklin County is located in the Bootheel of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,283. The largest city and county seat is Kennett. The county was officially organized on February 14, 1845, and is named in honor of Daniel Dunklin, a Governor of Missouri who died the year before the county was organized.
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.
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. 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.
Gainesville is a city in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. The population was 745 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Ozark County.