Vernon County, Missouri

Last updated

Vernon County
County
VernonCountyCourthouse front.JPG
Vernon County Courthouse
Map of Missouri highlighting Vernon County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri in United States.svg
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°51′N94°20′W / 37.85°N 94.34°W / 37.85; -94.34
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Missouri.svg  Missouri
FoundedFebruary 27, 1855
Named for Colonel Miles Vernon, state senator, and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans
Seat Nevada
Largest cityNevada
Area
 • Total
837 sq mi (2,170 km2)
 • Land826 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
19,707
 • Density24/sq mi (9.1/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th
Website www.vernoncountymo.org

Vernon County is a county located in the western region of the U.S. state of Missouri, on the border with Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,707. [1] Its county seat is Nevada. [2] The county was organized on February 27, 1855, considerably later than counties in the eastern part of the state. [3] It was named for Colonel Miles Vernon (1786–1867), a state senator and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans. [4] This area was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.

Contents

History

The county was developed by European Americans for agriculture and is still mostly rural.

Vernon County suffered considerable damage during the American Civil War. Guerrillas and insurgents had waged raids against Union troops and carried out personal vendettas in the county. On May 23, 1863, Union Army soldiers burned the county seat of Nevada, along with the courthouse, in retaliation. The present courthouse was completed in 1907. [5]

Vernon County was one of four Missouri counties that were wholly depopulated by Union General Thomas Ewing Jr.'s General Order No. 11 (1863), which ordered the people evacuated to end support for Confederate guerrillas operating in the area. Most of the residents were not allowed to return to their homes until after the Civil War ended in May 1865.

Geography

A boardwalk allows visitors to explore a restored wetland at Four Rivers Conservation Area in northern Vernon County Wetland boardwalk at Four Rivers Conservation Area in Vernon County, Missouri.jpg
A boardwalk allows visitors to explore a restored wetland at Four Rivers Conservation Area in northern Vernon County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 837 square miles (2,170 km2), of which 826 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.2%) is water. [6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Transit

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860 4,850—
1870 11,247131.9%
1880 19,36972.2%
1890 31,50562.7%
1900 31,6190.4%
1910 28,827−8.8%
1920 26,069−9.6%
1930 25,031−4.0%
1940 25,5862.2%
1950 22,685−11.3%
1960 20,540−9.5%
1970 19,065−7.2%
1980 19,8063.9%
1990 19,041−3.9%
2000 20,4547.4%
2010 21,1593.4%
2020 19,707−6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9]
1990-2000 [10] 2010 [11]

As of the census [12] of 2000, there were 20,454 people, 7,966 households, and 5,432 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 8,872 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.99% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Approximately 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,966 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% 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 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,021, and the median income for a family was $37,714. Males had a median income of $28,182 versus $19,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,047. About 10.10% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Vernon County Racial Composition [13]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)17,96691.2%
Black or African American (NH)1100.56%
Native American (NH)1310.66%
Asian (NH)1030.52%
Pacific Islander (NH)180.1%
Other/Mixed (NH)9534.83%
Hispanic or Latino 4262.16%

Education

Public schools

/ Northeast Vernon County R-I School District – Walker

Private schools

Colleges and universities

Public libraries

Communities

Townships

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Former settlements

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Vernon County despite the Democratic Party's historical control. Republicans hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.

Vernon County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Lena Kleeman Republican
Circuit Clerk Carrie Poe Republican
County Clerk Adrienne Lee [15] Republican
Collector Brent Banes Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Joe Wilson [15] Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Cindy Thompson Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Everett Wolf [16] Republican
Coroner David L. Ferry Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Brandy McInroy [17] Republican
Public Administrator Kelsey Westerhold Republican
Recorder Shelly Baldwin Republican
Sheriff Jason Mosher [17] Republican
Treasurer Brent Banes Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.01%7,02220.72% 1,8892.27% 207
2016 66.67%5,69930.66% 2,6212.67% 228
2012 52.26%4,42444.40% 3,7593.34% 283
2008 46.54% 4,09551.05%4,4912.41% 212
2004 66.76%5,98931.97% 2,8681.27% 114
2000 52.49%4,37045.20% 3,7632.30% 192
1996 39.90% 3,03957.27%4,3622.84% 216

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 126th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Patricia Pike (R-Adrian).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Patricia Pike7,836100.00%+46.45
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Patricia Pike2,96053.55%−46.45
Democratic Sam Foursha2,39843.38%+43.38
Constitution William M. Gilmore1703.07%+3.07
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Randy Pike7,309100.00%

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville).

Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Ed Emery5,49265.69%−2.73
Independent Tim Wells2,32027.75%+27.75
Libertarian Lora Young5486.56%+6.56
Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Ed Emery5,69868.42%
Democratic Charlie A. Burton2,63031.58%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Roy Blunt5,44863.71%+14.48
Democratic Jason Kander2,70031.58%−13.38
Libertarian Jonathan Dine2312.70%−3.11
Green Johnathan McFarland911.06%+1.06
Constitution Fred Ryman810.95%+0.95
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Todd Akin4,17149.23%
Democratic Claire McCaskill3,81044.96%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine4925.81%

All of Vernon County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler6,52677.00%+4.66
Democratic Gordon Christensen1,67619.78%−3.76
Libertarian Mark Bliss2733.22%−0.90
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler3,97072.34%+5.41
Democratic Nate Irvin1,29223.54%−5.66
Libertarian Herschel L. Young2264.12%+1.01
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler5,59766.93%
Democratic Teresa Hensley2,44229.20%
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook2603.11%
Constitution Greg Cowan640.76%

Political culture

Like many neighboring counties, Vernon County has become increasingly Republican over the past few presidential elections. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1996 by Bill Clinton.

United States presidential election results for Vernon County, Missouri [18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 7,11279.01%1,77419.71%1151.28%
2020 7,15577.90%1,90320.72%1271.38%
2016 6,53375.69%1,70719.78%3914.53%
2012 5,75867.57%2,58030.28%1832.15%
2008 5,33460.08%3,38138.08%1631.84%
2004 5,73263.75%3,20635.65%540.60%
2000 4,98559.29%3,15637.54%2673.18%
1996 3,12340.70%3,36343.82%1,18815.48%
1992 2,85134.34%3,54642.71%1,90622.96%
1988 4,14954.79%3,40244.93%210.28%
1984 5,18163.45%2,98436.55%00.00%
1980 4,39151.93%3,70443.80%3614.27%
1976 3,71542.78%4,92156.67%480.55%
1972 4,89261.54%3,05738.46%00.00%
1968 3,59045.27%3,55744.85%7839.87%
1964 3,07734.06%5,95865.94%00.00%
1960 5,38756.27%4,18643.73%00.00%
1956 5,18453.27%4,54746.73%00.00%
1952 5,92456.92%4,45042.76%340.33%
1948 3,80841.55%5,34258.29%140.15%
1944 5,17151.39%4,88548.55%60.06%
1940 5,44346.38%6,27153.44%210.18%
1936 4,54639.61%6,87259.87%600.52%
1932 2,85629.50%6,68769.07%1381.43%
1928 5,78360.94%3,67638.74%310.33%
1924 3,59338.89%4,83952.38%8078.73%
1920 4,64545.33%5,41952.89%1821.78%
1916 2,21135.50%3,77660.63%2413.87%
1912 1,65426.57%3,48355.94%1,08917.49%
1908 2,36937.48%3,70558.61%2473.91%
1904 2,45040.51%3,22553.32%3736.17%
1900 2,35634.24%4,30662.58%2193.18%
1896 2,23030.03%5,13369.12%630.85%
1892 1,84729.09%3,62757.13%87513.78%
1888 2,25233.99%4,05761.23%3174.78%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,434, than any candidate from either party in Vernon County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Vernon County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ History of Vernon county, Missouri. St. Louis: Brown & Co. 1887. pp. 194–196.
  4. ↑ "The Nevada Daily Mail". May 11, 1960. p. 8. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ "History". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 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 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 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) – Vernon County, Missouri".
  14. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Nevada Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. 1 2 2022 Election
  16. ↑ 2012 Election
  17. 1 2 2014 Election
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

37°51′N94°20′W / 37.85°N 94.34°W / 37.85; -94.34

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