Caldwell County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°40′N93°59′W / 39.66°N 93.98°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Missouri |
Founded | December 29, 1836 |
Named for | John Caldwell |
Seat | Kingston |
Largest city | Hamilton |
Area | |
• Total | 430 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
• Land | 426 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
• Water | 3.2 sq mi (8 km2) 0.8% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,815 |
• Density | 21/sq mi (7.9/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | www |
Caldwell County is a county located in Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 8,815. It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. [1] Its county seat is Kingston. [2] The county was organized December 29, 1836, and named by Alexander Doniphan to honor John Caldwell, who participated in George Rogers Clark's Native American Campaign of 1786 and was the second Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
Caldwell County was originally established as a haven for Mormons, who had been driven from Jackson County in November 1833, and had been refugees in adjacent Clay County since. The county was one of the principal settings of the 1838 Missouri Mormon War, which led to the expulsion of all Latter Day Saints from Missouri, following the issuance of an "extermination order" by then–Governor Lilburn Boggs.
Caldwell County was originally part of Ray County. The first white settler was Jesse Mann Sr., who settled one-half mile northeast of the public square of Kingston on Shoal Creek in 1831. The early settlers moved back south in 1832 for better protection during the Black Hawk War uprising.
A few Mormon settlers, who had been evicted from Jackson County, Missouri, moved into the county in 1832, and included Jacob Hawn, whose mill on Shoal Creek would become the scene of the bloodiest incident in the Mormon War, known as the Hawn's Mill Massacre.
The settlers established Salem, the first town in the county, two miles southeast of Kingston. A larger number of Mormons moved to the county in the fall of 1836. The Missouri General Assembly created Caldwell County in December 1836, with the understanding that it would be dedicated to Mormon settlers. Its county seat was Far West, Missouri. By 1838 Far West reported a population of 4,000. [3]
The major figures of early Mormon history, including Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Edward Partridge, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt and John D. Lee, were included in the migration.
Mormon settlers moved further north into Daviess County, particularly at Adam-ondi-Ahman, after Smith proclaimed that it was the Biblical place where Adam and Eve were banished after leaving the Garden of Eden. He said it would be a gathering place on the Judgement Day. The Mormon War erupted following a skirmish between original Missouri settlers and Mormon settlers in the Gallatin Election Day Battle.
After the Missouri militia was routed in the Battle of Crooked Creek, Governor Lilburn Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order 44 (Mormon Extermination Order) to evict the Mormons from the state. Three days later, a group from Livingston County killed 18 Mormons in the Hawn's Mill massacre. Troops laid siege to Far West, where Smith surrendered in October 1838. The settlers agreed to leave; they abandoned Far West and initially regrouped in Quincy, Illinois, for the winter of 1838–39. The following spring, they founded Nauvoo, Illinois.
Following the dissolution of Far West, the county seat was moved to present-day Kingston.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 430 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 426 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) (0.8%) is water. [4]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1840 | 1,458 | — | |
1850 | 2,310 | 58.4% | |
1860 | 5,034 | 117.9% | |
1870 | 11,390 | 126.3% | |
1880 | 13,646 | 19.8% | |
1890 | 15,152 | 11.0% | |
1900 | 16,656 | 9.9% | |
1910 | 14,605 | −12.3% | |
1920 | 13,849 | −5.2% | |
1930 | 12,509 | −9.7% | |
1940 | 11,629 | −7.0% | |
1950 | 9,929 | −14.6% | |
1960 | 8,830 | −11.1% | |
1970 | 8,351 | −5.4% | |
1980 | 8,660 | 3.7% | |
1990 | 8,380 | −3.2% | |
2000 | 8,969 | 7.0% | |
2010 | 9,424 | 5.1% | |
2020 | 8,815 | −6.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8] 1990-2000 [9] 2010-2015 [1] |
As of the census [10] of 2000, there were 8,969 people, 3,523 households, and 2,501 families residing in the county. The population density was 8/km2 (21/sq mi). There were 4,493 housing units at an average density of 4/km2 (10/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,523 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.50% 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 2.51, and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,240, and the median income for a family was $37,087. Males had a median income of $28,710 versus $19,523 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,343. 11.90% of the population and 9.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.10% of those under the age of 18 and 12.90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 8,172 | 93% |
Black or African American (NH) | 65 | 1% |
Native American (NH) | 34 | 0.4% |
Asian (NH) | 26 | 0.3% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 7 | 0.08% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 360 | 4.1% |
Hispanic or Latino | 151 | 1.7% |
Caldwell County is divided into 12 townships
The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Caldwell County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.
Caldwell County, Missouri | |||
---|---|---|---|
Elected countywide officials | |||
Assessor | Beverly Alden | Republican | |
Circuit Clerk | Carrie Miller | Democratic | |
County Clerk | Christine Owen | Republican | |
Commissioner (Presiding) | C.R. (Bud) Motsinger | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 1) | Jonathan Abbott | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 2) | Rex J. Hibler | Republican | |
Coroner | Dana Brown | Republican | |
Prosecuting Attorney | Brady C. Kopek | Republican | |
Public Administrator | Richard Lee | Republican | |
Recorder | Julie Hill | Republican | |
Sheriff | Mitchell K. Allen | Republican | |
Treasurer | June Grooms | Republican |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 77.48%3,603 | 19.70% 916 | 2.82% 131 |
2016 | 63.10%2,276 | 33.40% 1,443 | 3.50% 151 |
2012 | 50.39%2,092 | 45.33% 1,882 | 4.29% 178 |
2008 | 44.58% 2,014 | 52.26%2,361 | 3.16% 143 |
2004 | 56.40%2,419 | 41.87% 1,796 | 1.73% 74 |
2000 | 52.01%2,006 | 44.10% 1,701 | 3.89% 150 |
1996 | 38.04% 1,314 | 58.80%2,031 | 3.16% 109 |
All of Caldwell County is a part of Missouri's 8th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Randy Railsback (R-Hamilton).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Randy Railsback | 4,203 | 100.00% | +21.81 | |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | James W. (Jim) Neely | 2,907 | 78.19% | -21.81 | |
Democratic | Caleb McKnight | 811 | 21.81% | +21.81 | |
All of Caldwell County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Denny Hoskins | 3,651 | 83.55% | +10.57 | |
Libertarian | Mark Bliss | 719 | 16.46% | +10.05 | |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Denny Hoskins | 3,039 | 72.98% | +6.24 | |
Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 858 | 20.61% | -5.37 | |
Libertarian | Bill Wayne | 267 | 6.41% | -0.87 | |
All of Caldwell 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. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Graves | 3,693 | 80.23% | +3.27 | |
Democratic | Gena L. Ross | 769 | 16.69% | -3.45 | |
Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 142 | 3.09% | +0.19 | |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Graves | 2,893 | 76.96% | +2.34 | |
Democratic | Henry Robert Martin | 757 | 20.14% | -0.09 | |
Libertarian | Dan Hogan | 109 | 2.90% | -0.71 | |
Caldwell County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Josh Hawley | 2,558 | 67.71% | +22.23 | |
Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,022 | 27.05% | -17.27 | |
Independent | Craig O'Dear | 102 | 2.70% | ||
Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 70 | 1.85% | -8.36 | |
Green | Jo Crain | 26 | 0.69% | +0.69 | |
Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,513 | 58.25% | +12.77 | |
Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,517 | 35.16% | -9.15 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 153 | 3.55% | -6.66 | |
Green | Johnathan McFarland | 78 | 1.81% | +1.81 | |
Constitution | Fred Ryman | 53 | 1.23% | +1.23 | |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 3,725 | 79.32% | 897 | 19.10% | 74 | 1.58% |
2016 | 3,232 | 74.95% | 838 | 19.43% | 242 | 5.61% |
2012 | 2,721 | 65.30% | 1,312 | 31.49% | 134 | 3.22% |
2008 | 2,654 | 58.15% | 1,814 | 39.75% | 96 | 2.10% |
2004 | 2,593 | 60.75% | 1,645 | 38.54% | 30 | 0.70% |
2000 | 2,220 | 57.66% | 1,488 | 38.65% | 142 | 3.69% |
1996 | 1,464 | 42.21% | 1,487 | 42.88% | 517 | 14.91% |
1992 | 1,295 | 31.94% | 1,456 | 35.91% | 1,304 | 32.16% |
1988 | 2,074 | 54.38% | 1,726 | 45.25% | 14 | 0.37% |
1984 | 2,678 | 65.96% | 1,382 | 34.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
1980 | 2,551 | 60.36% | 1,541 | 36.46% | 134 | 3.17% |
1976 | 2,094 | 49.47% | 2,113 | 49.92% | 26 | 0.61% |
1972 | 3,167 | 72.01% | 1,231 | 27.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 2,631 | 57.81% | 1,490 | 32.74% | 430 | 9.45% |
1964 | 2,125 | 46.20% | 2,475 | 53.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 3,115 | 64.21% | 1,736 | 35.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 3,216 | 62.51% | 1,929 | 37.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 3,755 | 66.83% | 1,860 | 33.10% | 4 | 0.07% |
1948 | 2,687 | 57.46% | 1,985 | 42.45% | 4 | 0.09% |
1944 | 3,384 | 62.75% | 2,001 | 37.10% | 8 | 0.15% |
1940 | 3,976 | 59.23% | 2,728 | 40.64% | 9 | 0.13% |
1936 | 3,792 | 55.66% | 3,014 | 44.24% | 7 | 0.10% |
1932 | 2,688 | 47.35% | 2,949 | 51.95% | 40 | 0.70% |
1928 | 4,167 | 65.82% | 2,164 | 34.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 3,545 | 58.66% | 2,383 | 39.43% | 115 | 1.90% |
1920 | 4,168 | 62.32% | 2,498 | 37.35% | 22 | 0.33% |
1916 | 2,069 | 54.74% | 1,683 | 44.52% | 28 | 0.74% |
1912 | 1,187 | 32.31% | 1,483 | 40.36% | 1,004 | 27.33% |
1908 | 2,161 | 57.55% | 1,540 | 41.01% | 54 | 1.44% |
1904 | 2,276 | 60.92% | 1,350 | 36.13% | 110 | 2.94% |
1900 | 2,235 | 54.81% | 1,722 | 42.23% | 121 | 2.97% |
1896 | 2,115 | 50.18% | 2,053 | 48.71% | 47 | 1.12% |
1892 | 1,750 | 47.17% | 1,388 | 37.41% | 572 | 15.42% |
1888 | 1,853 | 51.60% | 1,528 | 42.55% | 210 | 5.85% |
The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Caldwell County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Joe Biden | 334 | 60.62 | ||
Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 158 | 28.68 | ||
Democratic | Tulsi Gabbard | 9 | 1.63 | ||
Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 50 | 9.07 | ||
Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Caldwell County and statewide by overwhelming margins.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Donald Trump | 692 | 97.06 | ||
Republican | Bill Weld | 8 | 1.12 | ||
Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 13 | 1.82 | ||
The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, as well as a plurality of the vote in Caldwell County.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Donald Trump | 780 | 43.67 | ||
Republican | Ted Cruz | 701 | 39.25 | ||
Republican | John Kasich | 149 | 8.34 | ||
Republican | Marco Rubio | 96 | 5.38 | ||
Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 60 | 3.36 | ||
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin, but lost Caldwell County to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 314 | 55.58 | ||
Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 244 | 43.19 | ||
Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 7 | 1.24 | ||
The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Caldwell County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected delegations favoring Romney.
In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John McCain | 363 | 36.05 | ||
Republican | Mike Huckabee | 302 | 29.99 | ||
Republican | Mitt Romney | 242 | 24.03 | ||
Republican | Ron Paul | 77 | 7.65 | ||
Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 23 | 2.28 | ||
Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Caldwell County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 616 | 59.40 | ||
Democratic | Barack Obama | 379 | 36.55 | ||
Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 42 | 4.06 | ||
Vernon County is 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. Its county seat is Nevada. The county was organized on February 27, 1855, considerably later than counties in the eastern part of the state. It was named for Colonel Miles Vernon (1786–1867), a state senator and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans. This area was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.
Stoddard County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,672. The county seat is Bloomfield. The county was officially organized on January 2, 1835, and is named for Amos Stoddard, the first American commandant of Upper Louisiana.
Ray County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,158. Its county seat is Richmond. The county was organized November 16, 1820, and named for John Ray, a Missouri state legislator and member of the first state Constitutional Convention.
Platte County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 106,718. Its county seat is Platte City. The county was organized December 31, 1838, from the Platte Purchase, named for the Platte River. The Kansas City International Airport is located in the county, approximately one mile west of Interstate 29 between mile markers 12 and 15. The land for the airport was originally in an unincorporated portion of Platte County before being annexed by Platte City, and eventually Kansas City.
Livingston County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,557. Its county seat is Chillicothe. The county was organized January 6, 1837, and named for U.S. Secretary of State Edward Livingston.
Henry County is a county located in the western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,946. Its county seat is Clinton. The county was organized December 13, 1834, as Rives County but was renamed in 1841 for Revolutionary War patriot Patrick Henry. The county originally had been named after William Cabell Rives, who was then serving as a U.S. Senator from Virginia. However, Rives lost popularity in Missouri after he joined the Whig Party.
Harrison County is a county located in the northwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,157. It's county seat is Bethany. The county was organized February 14, 1845, and named for U.S. Representative Albert G. Harrison of Missouri.
Grundy County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,808. Its county seat is Trenton. The county was organized January 2, 1841, from part of Livingston County, Missouri and named after U.S. Attorney General Felix Grundy.
DeKalb County is a county located in the northwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,029. Its county seat is Maysville. The county was organized February 25, 1845 and named for General Johann de Kalb, Baron de Kalb, of the Revolutionary War.
Daviess County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,430. Its county seat is Gallatin. The county was organized December 29, 1836, from Ray County and named for Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, a soldier from Kentucky who was killed in 1811 at the Battle of Tippecanoe.
Crawford County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 Census, the population was 23,056. Its county seat is Steelville. The county was organized in 1829 and is named after U.S. Senator William H. Crawford of Georgia.
Cass County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 107,824. Its county seat is Harrisonville; however, the county contains a portion of Kansas City, Missouri. The county was organized in 1835 as Van Buren County, but was renamed in 1849 after U.S. Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, who later became a presidential candidate.
Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,495. Its county seat is Carrollton. The county was organized on January 2, 1833, from part of Ray County and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Callaway County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States Census, the county's population was 44,283. Its county seat is Fulton. With a border formed by the Missouri River, the county was organized November 25, 1820, and named for Captain James Callaway, grandson of Daniel Boone. The county has been historically referred to as "The Kingdom of Callaway" after an incident in which some residents confronted Union troops during the U.S. Civil War.
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Benton County is a county located in the west central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 19,394 as of the 2020 Census. Its county seat is Warsaw. The county was organized January 3, 1835, and named for U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri.
Bates County is a county located in the west central part of the U.S. state of Missouri, two counties south of the Missouri River and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,042. Its county seat is Butler. The county was organized in 1841 and named after Frederick Bates, the second Governor of Missouri.
Barton County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,637. Its county seat is Lamar. The county was organized in 1855 and named after U.S. Senator David Barton from Missouri.
Andrew County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 18,135. Its county seat is Savannah. The county was organized January 29, 1841, and named for Andrew Jackson Davis, a lawyer and prominent citizen of St. Louis.
The Hawn’s Mill Massacre occurred on October 30, 1838, when a mob/militia unit from Livingston County, Missouri, attacked a Mormon settlement in eastern Caldwell County, Missouri, after the Battle of Crooked River. By far the bloodiest event in the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, it has long been remembered by the members of the Latter Day Saint movement. While the spelling "Haun" is common when referring to the massacre or the mill where it occurred, the mill's owner used the spelling "Hawn" in legal documents.
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