St. Francois County, Missouri

Last updated

St. Francois County, Missouri
County
St Francois County Missouri Courthouse-20150101-073-pano.jpg
St. Francois County Courthouse in Farmington
Seal of St. Francois County, Missouri.png
Seal
Map of Missouri highlighting Saint Francois County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Coordinates: 37°46′55″N90°25′20″W / 37.781944444444°N 90.422222222222°W / 37.781944444444; -90.422222222222
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Missouri.svg Missouri
FoundedDecember 19, 1821
Named after St. Francis River
Seat Farmington
Largest cityFarmington
Area
 • Total
455 sq mi (1,180 km2)
 • Land452 sq mi (1,170 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
66,922
 • Density148/sq mi (57.2/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 8th
Website www.sfcgov.org

St. Francois County ( /ˈfrænsɪs/ FRAN-siss) is a county in the Lead Belt region in the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 census, the population was 66,922. [1] The largest city and county seat is Farmington. [2] The county was officially organized on December 19, 1821. It was named after the St. Francis River. The origin of the river's name is unclear. It may refer to St. Francis of Assisi. [3] Another possibility is that Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit who explored the region in 1673, named the river for the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier; Marquette had spent some time at the mission of St. François Xavier before his voyage and, as a Jesuit, was unlikely to have given the river a name honoring the Franciscans. [4]

Contents

St. Francois County comprises the Farmington Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the St. Louis–St. Charles–Farmington–Illinois Combined Statistical Area.

History

Seal

Seal of St. Francois County, Missouri (2018-2022).png
2018–2022
Seal of St. Francois County, Missouri.png
2022–present

A former county seal, used from 2018 to 2022, was posted on the subreddit r/CrappyDesign where it received considerable attention and was covered by local and national news organizations. It was criticized for being "overdone" and "amateurish," though some said they felt it stood out and was "spontaneous." [5] [6]

The 2018 seal was designed during a weekend deadline by county commissioner Harold Gallaher and incorporated components from an older 1982 seal designed by a high school student in needlework. [7] The seal was unanimously approved by the county commission and was used on government signage and vehicles. [8]

The seal featured clip art-style [9] images of a bald eagle atop the American flag, a pickaxe and shovel, a Bible and Christian cross, and an outline of the county. It also featured the phrase "In God we trust" and the founding date of the county.

In response to the attention it received, the county held a contest to redesign the seal. Gallaher requested that the redesign make reference to the parks in the county as well as include elements from the old seal. [10] The county received 264 [11] or 282 [12] entries from 33 counties and 35 states, of which three finalists were chosen. Some included the St. Francois County Courthouse and referenced the county's mining history. The winning design was submitted by Bryan Finch, a graphic designer from Farmington, Missouri, a city in St. Francois County. [11]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830 2,366—
1840 3,21135.7%
1850 4,96454.6%
1860 7,24946.0%
1870 9,74234.4%
1880 13,82241.9%
1890 17,34725.5%
1900 24,05138.6%
1910 35,73848.6%
1920 31,403−12.1%
1930 35,83214.1%
1940 35,9500.3%
1950 35,276−1.9%
1960 36,5163.5%
1970 36,8180.8%
1980 42,60015.7%
1990 48,90414.8%
2000 55,64113.8%
2010 65,35917.5%
2020 66,9222.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]
1790-1960 [14] 1900-1990 [15]
1990-2000 [16] 2010-2015 [17]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 66,922. The median age was 40.3 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 113.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 116.5 males age 18 and over. [18]

59.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 41.0% lived in rural areas. [19]

There were 24,792 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [18]

There were 28,636 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.9% were owner-occupied and 34.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%. [18]

Racial and ethnic composition

As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was 89.6% White, 4.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.9% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population. [20]

St. Francois County, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980 [21] Pop 1990 [22] Pop 2000 [23] Pop 2010 [24] Pop 2020 [25] % 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)42,12747,48953,22860,63159,47498.89%97.11%95.66%92.77%88.87%
Black or African American alone (NH)1079451,1052,7592,6450.25%1.93%1.99%4.22%3.95%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)331031882281920.08%0.21%0.34%0.35%0.29%
Asian alone (NH)911201742424030.21%0.25%0.31%0.37%0.60%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x [26] x [27] 123221xx0.02%0.05%0.03%
Other race alone (NH)23814121880.05%0.02%0.03%0.02%0.28%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x [28] x [29] 4736772,910xx0.85%1.04%4.35%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)2192394477781,0890.51%0.49%0.80%1.19%1.63%
Total42,60048,90455,64165,35966,922 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 55,641 people, 20,793 households, and 14,659 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 inhabitants per square mile (48/km2). There were 24,449 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.14% White, 2.02% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 20,793 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,551, and the median income for a family was $47,923. Males had a median income of $29,961 versus $19,412 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,047. Approximately 14.90% of the population and 11.00% of families were below the poverty line, including 19.80% under the age of 18 and 11.50% over the age of 65.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), St. Francois County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in St. Francois County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (45.48%), Roman Catholics (14.94%), and Methodists (8.37%). There is also a small Orthodox Christian presence in the county, an example being Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Desloge. [30]

Catholic Churches in the county are Immaculate Conception in Park Hills, St. Joseph in Farmington, St. Joseph in Bonne Terre, St. John in Bismarck, and St. Anne in French Village. [31]

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in St. Francois County. Republicans hold all but two of the county's elected positions.

St. Francois County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Eric Dugal Republican
Auditor Louie Seiberlich Republican
Circuit Clerk Kristina Bone Republican
County Clerk Kevin Engler Republican
Collector Angie K. Usery Republican
Commissioner
(presiding)		 Harold Gallaher Republican
Commissioner
(district 1)		 Kary Buckley Republican
Commissioner
(district 2)		 David Kater Republican
Coroner Jason Coplin Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Blake Dudley Republican
Public Administrator Gary Matheny Republican
Recorder Jay Graf Republican
Sheriff Daniel R. Bullock Republican
Treasurer Parks G. Peterson Republican

State

St. Francois County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2020) [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Cyndi Buchheit Courtway3,78374.73%
Democratic Cynthia Nugent1,27225.13%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2018) [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Elaine Gannon3,21198.14%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Elaine Gannon3,01068.63%+3.40
Democratic Barbara Stocker1,19627.27%−2.98
Libertarian Charles Bigelow1804.10%+4.10
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Elaine Gannon1,48665.23%+13.26
Democratic Dan Darian68930.25%−17.78
Constitution Jerry Dollar Jr.1034.52%+4.52
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Elaine Gannon2,10651.97%
Democratic Rich McCane1,94648.03%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2020) [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Dale Wright6,68797.96%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2018) [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Dale Wright4,37470.12%
Democratic Bill Kraemer1,85529.74
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Kevin Engler5,590100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Kevin Engler2,826100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Kevin Engler4,881100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2020) [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Henderson10,48573.21%
Democratic Tony Dorsett3,81726.65%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2018) [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Henderson8,16971.92%
Democratic Kayla Chick3,16827.89%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Henderson7,30256.74%+56.74
Democratic Travis Barnes5,56743.26%−56.74
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Linda Black5,081100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Linda Black9,704100.00%

All of St. Francois County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Elaine Gannon (R-De Soto).

Missouri Senate — District 3 — St. Francois County (2020) [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Elaine Freeman Gannon23,05897.65%
Missouri Senate — District 3 — St. Francois County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Gary Romine18,99281.79%+21.62
Green Edward R. Weissler4,22918.21%+18.21
Missouri Senate — District 3 — St. Francois County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Gary Romine13,32960.17%
Democratic Joseph Fallert, Jr.8,82339.83%
Past gubernatorial election results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 74.54%20,82723.35% 6,5242.11% 591
2020 69.37%19,25827.67% 7,6822.96% 823
2016 58.51%14,43338.20% 9,4243.29% 811
2012 44.17% 9,96552.88%11,9302.94% 664
2008 34.55% 8,41863.49%15,4681.96% 478
2004 52.14%11,90346.43% 10,6011.43% 327
2000 46.42% 8,71250.22%9,4253.36% 632
1996 40.23% 7,19257.19%10,2242.58% 461
1992 39.44% 7,35060.56%11,2872.58% 461
1988 58.28%9,40140.94% 6,6040.77% 125
1984 52.10%8,77747.90% 8,0680.00% 0
1980 51.93%8,79747.89% 8,1130.18% 30
1976 47.82% 7,56952.13%8,2510.04% 7

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — St. Francois County (2018) [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Josh Hawley13,11159.98%
Democratic Claire McCaskill7,77035.54%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell3421.56%
Green Jo Crain1570.72%
Independent Craig O'Dear4472.04%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — St. Francois County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Roy Blunt13,11053.32%+12.57
Democratic Jason Kander10,11741.15%−11.23
Libertarian Jonathan Dine6612.69%−4.18
Green Johnathan McFarland4311.75%+1.75
Constitution Fred Ryman2691.09%+1.09
U.S. Senate — Missouri — St. Francois County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Todd Akin9,14240.75%
Democratic Claire McCaskill11,75152.38%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine1,5406.87%

St. Francois 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2020) [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith19,50571.53
Democratic Kathy Ellis7,17026.30
Libertarian Tom Schmitz5762.11
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2018) [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith14,05165.16%
Democratic Kathy Ellis7,05232.70%
Libertarian Jonathan Shell4442.06%
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith16,30968.07%+8.72
Democratic Dave Cowell6,93328.94%−1.86
Libertarian Jonathan Shell7183.00%+0.66
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith7,31759.35%−2.46
Democratic Barbara Stocker3,79830.80%−2.64
Libertarian Rick Vandeven2882.34%+1.27
Constitution Doug Enyart4653.77%+0.50
Independent Terry Hampton4613.74%+3.74
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — Special Election – St. Francois County (2013)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jason T. Smith1,85061.81%−7.50
Democratic Steve Hodges1,00133.44%+5.73
Libertarian Bill Slantz321.07%−1.91
Constitution Doug Enyart983.27%+3.27
Write-In Wayne L. Byington120.40%+0.40
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson15,42369.31%
Democratic Jack Rushin6,16627.71%
Libertarian Rick Vandeven6642.98%
United States presidential election results for St. Francois County, Missouri [36]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
№ %№ %№ %
1888 1,44538.44%2,21458.90%1002.66%
1892 1,25336.53%2,14162.42%361.05%
1896 1,66442.37%2,24557.17%180.46%
1900 2,29545.30%2,70753.43%641.26%
1904 2,89451.25%2,61546.31%1382.44%
1908 3,26048.56%2,94243.83%5117.61%
1912 2,30537.03%2,78644.76%1,13418.22%
1916 3,01543.79%3,67553.38%1952.83%
1920 5,50449.86%5,30048.01%2352.13%
1924 6,11751.16%5,54246.35%2972.48%
1928 9,04068.34%4,17131.53%170.13%
1932 6,01743.59%7,61355.15%1741.26%
1936 7,27147.79%7,87651.77%660.43%
1940 8,68751.55%8,13248.26%320.19%
1944 7,32052.00%6,74547.92%110.08%
1948 6,23446.03%7,27653.73%320.24%
1952 9,67254.55%8,04045.35%170.10%
1956 9,96856.85%7,56643.15%00.00%
1960 10,13158.44%7,20541.56%00.00%
1964 5,69035.00%10,56765.00%00.00%
1968 7,49247.60%6,37940.53%1,86711.86%
1972 8,81265.42%4,65834.58%00.00%
1976 7,00244.01%8,85255.63%570.36%
1980 8,91452.70%7,49544.31%5073.00%
1984 9,79257.84%7,13742.16%00.00%
1988 7,92349.13%8,15850.59%460.29%
1992 5,88931.08%9,36749.44%3,69119.48%
1996 6,20034.98%9,03450.96%2,49214.06%
2000 9,32749.50%9,07548.17%4392.33%
2004 12,08752.71%10,74846.87%980.43%
2008 12,66051.57%11,54047.01%3501.43%
2012 13,24858.35%8,82938.89%6282.77%
2016 17,46870.10%6,25025.08%1,2024.82%
2020 20,51173.08%7,04425.10%5101.82%
2024 21,52174.99%6,81123.73%3661.28%

Covid-19 controversy

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the head of the St. Francois County Public Health Department described being driven to resign from her position by residents who refused to "accept the reality of the pandemic" and made “cowardly“ anonymous threats against her and her family. [37]

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in St. Francois County, 72.4% possess a high school diploma or higher while 10.2% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest level of educational attainment.

Public schools

Private schools

Vocational-technical and other schools

Colleges and universities

Public libraries

Farmington Public Library

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Former community

See also

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, by Robert A. Campbell, a publication from 1874, now in the public domain in the United States.

  1. ↑ "QuickFacts St. Francois County, Missouri; United States". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 358.
  4. ↑ St. Francois County, Missouri Place Names Archived July 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , Western Historical Manuscript Collection
  5. ↑ Adler, Eric (January 5, 2022). "Missouri seal was the work of a county commissioner. The internet can't stop laughing". The Kansas City Star . Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. ↑ Amelia Bamsey (January 11, 2022). "This might just be the worst logo we've ever seen". Creative Bloq. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  7. ↑ Salcedo, Andrea (January 12, 2022). "A Missouri county's 'cluttered' seal was ridiculed online. It prompted a global search for a replacement". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  8. ↑ Jenkins, Kevin (March 19, 2018). "Commission unveils new county seal". Daily Journal Online. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ Sullivan, Becky (January 6, 2022). "A Missouri county asks for help designing a new seal after old one turns heads online". NPR . Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  10. ↑ Marberry, Mark (January 4, 2022). "Commission agrees to county seal redesign, contest". Daily Journal Online. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Finch Wins County Seal Contest". www.kfmo.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  12. ↑ "St. Francois County Seal Finalists". www.kfmo.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  16. ↑ "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 20, 2014.
  17. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  19. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  20. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  21. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . p. 20-25.
  22. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau . p. 13-63.
  23. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – St. Francois County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau .
  24. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Francois County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau .
  25. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Francois County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau .
  26. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  27. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  28. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  29. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  30. ↑ "Parishes - Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary Church". oca.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Archdiocese of St. Louis – The Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, MO". archstl.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  32. 1 2 3 4 "November 3, 2020 Official Results".
  33. 1 2 "Election Results".
  34. 1 2 3 St. Francois County Clerk (2018), Statement of Votes Cast (PDF)
  35. ↑ "Missouri U.S. House - District 8 Election Results | des Moines Register". The Des Moines Register .
  36. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  37. ↑ Elliott, Amber, as told to Eli Saslow. ‘This is how we treat each other? This is who we are?' Washington Post, November 18, 2020.
  38. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Bonne Terre Memorial Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.

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