DeKalb County, Missouri
DeKalb County is a county located in the northwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 12,892.[1] Its county seat is Maysville.[2] The county was organized February 25, 1845[3] and named for General Johann de Kalb,[4] Baron de Kalb, of the Revolutionary War.
DeKalb County | |
---|---|
DeKalb County Courthouse in Maysville | |
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 39°54′N 94°24′W | |
Country | |
State | |
Founded | February 25, 1845 |
Named for | Johann de Kalb |
Seat | Maysville |
Largest city | Cameron |
Area | |
• Total | 426 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
• Land | 421 sq mi (1,090 km2) |
• Water | 4.5 sq mi (12 km2) 1.0% |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 12,892 |
• Estimate (2018) | 12,630 |
• Density | 30/sq mi (12/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | www |
DeKalb County is part of the St. Joseph, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 426 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 421 square miles (1,090 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]
Adjacent counties
- Gentry County (north)
- Daviess County (east)
- Caldwell County (southeast)
- Clinton County (south)
- Buchanan County (southwest)
- Andrew County (west)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1850 | 2,075 | — | |
1860 | 5,224 | 151.8% | |
1870 | 9,858 | 88.7% | |
1880 | 13,334 | 35.3% | |
1890 | 14,539 | 9.0% | |
1900 | 14,418 | −0.8% | |
1910 | 12,531 | −13.1% | |
1920 | 11,694 | −6.7% | |
1930 | 10,270 | −12.2% | |
1940 | 9,751 | −5.1% | |
1950 | 8,047 | −17.5% | |
1960 | 7,226 | −10.2% | |
1970 | 7,305 | 1.1% | |
1980 | 8,222 | 12.6% | |
1990 | 9,967 | 21.2% | |
2000 | 11,597 | 16.4% | |
2010 | 12,892 | 11.2% | |
Est. 2018 | 12,630 | [6] | −2.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1] |
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 11,597 people, 3,528 households and 2,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 3,839 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.09% White, 8.86% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races and 0.93% from two or more races. Approximately 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,528 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 9.60% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% 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 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out with 20.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 36.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64 and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 152.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 168.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,654 and the median income for a family was $37,329. Males had a median income of $28,434 versus $20,207 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,687. About 7.20% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 75.20% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), DeKalb County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in DeKalb County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (37.63%), United Methodists (19.88%) and Community of Christ (14.82%).
Education
Public Schools
- Maysville R-I School District – Maysville
- Maysville Elementary School (K-06)
- Maysville Junior/Senior High School (07-12)
- Osborn R-0 School District – Osborn
- Osborn Elementary School (K-06)
- Osborn Senior High School (07-12)
- Stewartsville C-2 School District – Stewartsville
- Stewartsville Elementary School (K-06)
- Stewartsville Senior High School (07-12)
- Union Star R-II School District – Union Star
- Union Star Elementary School (K-06)
- Union Star Senior High School (07-12)
Politics
Local
The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in DeKalb County. Republicans hold all but four of the elected positions in the county.
DeKalb County, Missouri | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Elected countywide officials | ||||
Assessor | Ruth A. Ross | Democratic | ||
Circuit Clerk | Julie Whitsell | Republican | ||
County Clerk | Melissa (Missy) Meek | Republican | ||
Collector | Joan Jody Pearl | Democratic | ||
Commissioner (Presiding) |
Harold O. Allison | Republican | ||
Commissioner (District 1) |
Garry McFee | Republican | ||
Commissioner (District 2) |
Joe Kagay | Republican | ||
Coroner | Heath Turner | Republican | ||
Prosecuting Attorney | Erik Tate | Democratic | ||
Public Administrator | Connie Bray | Republican | ||
Recorder | Julie Whitsell | Republican | ||
Sheriff | Wes Raines | Republican | ||
Surveyor | David Clark | Republican | ||
Treasurer | Joan Jody Pearl | Democratic |
State
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 66.63% 3,061 | 30.76% 1,413 | 2.61% 120 |
2012 | 55.06% 2,394 | 41.74% 1,815 | 3.20% 139 |
2008 | 50.13% 2,332 | 46.80% 2,177 | 3.07% 143 |
2004 | 57.93% 2,710 | 40.40% 1,890 | 1.67% 78 |
2000 | 52.93% 2,129 | 44.70% 1,798 | 2.37% 95 |
1996 | 34.11% 1,317 | 63.30% 2,444 | 2.59% 100 |
DeKalb County is a part of Missouri’s 2nd District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by J. Eggleston (R-Maysville).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | J. Eggleston | 4,107 | 100.00% | +29.22 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | J. Eggleston | 1,899 | 70.78% | -3.69 | |
Democratic | Mike Waltemath | 784 | 29.22% | +29.22 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Casey Guernsey | 3,019 | 74.47% | ||
Independent | Jim Nash | 1,035 | 25.53% |
DeKalb County is a part of Missouri’s 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dan Hegeman | 2,300 | 100.00% |
Federal
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,826 | 61.83% | +15.28 | |
Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,478 | 32.33% | -12.71 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 146 | 3.19% | -5.22 | |
Green | Johnathan McFarland | 50 | 1.09% | +1.09 | |
Constitution | Fred Ryman | 71 | 1.55% | +1.55 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Todd Akin | 2,015 | 46.55% | ||
Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,950 | 45.04% | ||
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 364 | 8.41% |
DeKalb 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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Graves | 3,458 | 76.42% | +4.02 | |
Democratic | David M. Blackwell | 906 | 20.02% | -2.73 | |
Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 112 | 2.48% | -2.37 | |
Green | Mike Diel | 49 | 1.08% | +1.08 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Graves | 1,957 | 72.40 | -0.91 | |
Democratic | Bill Hedge | 615 | 22.75 | -1.35 | |
Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 131 | 4.85 | +2.26 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Graves | 3,167 | 73.31% | ||
Democratic | Kyle Yarber | 1,041 | 24.10% | ||
Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 112 | 2.59% |
Political culture
In recent presidential elections, DeKalb County has often been dominated by Republicans. The last time a Democratic candidate has won this county was in 1996 by Bill Clinton: however, the county was won by margin of 1.4%.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 76.5% 3,540 | 17.8% 824 | 5.7% 262 |
2012 | 70.3% 3,056 | 27.5% 1,194 | 2.3% 100 |
2008 | 61.3% 2,889 | 35.9% 1,692 | 2.8% 133 |
2004 | 62.8% 2,941 | 36.4% 1,707 | 0.8% 38 |
2000 | 58.4% 2,363 | 38.6% 1,562 | 3.1% 124 |
1996 | 42.3% 1,627 | 43.7% 1,679 | 14.0% 540 |
1992 | 31.6% 1,318 | 39.1% 1,630 | 29.3% 1,223 |
1988 | 48.5% 1,863 | 51.3% 1,970 | 0.3% 10 |
1984 | 59.9% 2,188 | 40.1% 1,464 | |
1980 | 53.1% 2,062 | 43.2% 1,677 | 3.8% 146 |
1976 | 46.0% 1,739 | 53.5% 2,023 | 0.5% 17 |
1972 | 67.4% 2,766 | 32.6% 1,339 | |
1968 | 54.9% 2,112 | 37.7% 1,452 | 7.4% 285 |
1964 | 41.7% 1,679 | 58.3% 2,347 | |
1960 | 59.4% 2,484 | 40.6% 1,697 | |
1956 | 57.6% 2,538 | 42.5% 1,872 | |
1952 | 63.3% 3,073 | 36.5% 1,773 | 0.2% 10 |
1948 | 50.7% 2,098 | 49.2% 2,033 | 0.1% 4 |
1944 | 57.5% 2,658 | 42.4% 1,961 | 0.1% 6 |
1940 | 54.9% 3,072 | 44.8% 2,505 | 0.3% 16 |
1936 | 51.6% 2,872 | 48.1% 2,680 | 0.3% 18 |
1932 | 40.7% 1,747 | 58.8% 2,519 | 0.5% 22 |
1928 | 63.5% 3,338 | 36.1% 1,898 | 0.3% 18 |
1924 | 52.6% 2,730 | 45.6% 2,368 | 1.8% 94 |
1920 | 57.8% 3,001 | 40.9% 2,121 | 1.3% 67 |
1916 | 49.2% 1,640 | 49.4% 1,647 | 1.4% 45 |
1912 | 33.1% 1,090 | 50.2% 1,652 | 16.7% 550 |
1908 | 50.5% 1,703 | 48.4% 1,632 | 1.0% 35 |
1904 | 51.2% 1,768 | 46.6% 1,607 | 2.2% 76 |
1900 | 46.2% 1,669 | 50.9% 1,840 | 2.9% 103 |
1896 | 42.0% 1,590 | 57.2% 2,167 | 0.8% 29 |
1892 | 41.6% 1,339 | 42.6% 1,372 | 15.8% 507 |
1888 | 48.6% 1,598 | 47.8% 1,573 | 3.6% 119 |
At the presidential level, DeKalb County is Republican-leaning. George W. Bush carried the county easily in 2000 and 2004. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry DeKalb County in 1996 and like many of the rural counties throughout Missouri, DeKalb County strongly favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008.
Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in DeKalb County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings, at least on the state and national levels. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed in DeKalb County with 80.7% of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71% support from voters. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in DeKalb County with 55.9% voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51% of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite DeKalb 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 in DeKalb County with 67.7% of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99% voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.)
Missouri presidential preference primary
2012
In the 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary, voters in DeKalb 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 state convention were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum.
2008
- Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 596, than any candidate from either party in DeKalb County during the 2008 presidential primary.
DeKalb County, Missouri | |
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2008 Republican primary in Missouri | |
John McCain | 310 (30.21%) |
Mike Huckabee | 276 (26.90%) |
Mitt Romney | 337 (32.85%) |
Ron Paul | 81 (7.89%) |
DeKalb County, Missouri | |
---|---|
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri | |
Hillary Clinton | 596 (57.86%) |
Barack Obama | 372 (36.12%) |
John Edwards (withdrawn) | 51 (4.95%) |
Uncommitted | 8 (0.78%) |
Communities
- Amity
- Cameron
- Clarksdale
- Fairport
- Maysville (county seat)
- Osborn
- Stewartsville
- Union Star
- Weatherby
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in DeKalb County, Missouri
References
- "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 284.
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 103.
- "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- Breeding, Marshall. "Cameron Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- "DeKalb County Public Library". Google.com. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
External links
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of DeKalb County from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books