Vernon County, Missouri

Vernon County is a county located in the center of the western border of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,159.[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 was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.

Vernon County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°51′N 94°20′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedFebruary 27, 1855
Named forColonel Miles Vernon, state senator, and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans
SeatNevada
Largest cityNevada
Area
 • Total837 sq mi (2,170 km2)
 • Land826 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total21,159
 • Density25/sq mi (9.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.vernoncountymo.org

History

The county was developed for agriculture and is still largely 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 completely depopulated by Union General Thomas Ewing's General Order No. 11 (1863), which ordered the people evacuated in order to end support for Confederate guerrillas operating in the area. Most of the residents would not be 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

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

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18604,850—
187011,247131.9%
188019,36972.2%
189031,50562.7%
190031,6190.4%
191028,827−8.8%
192026,069−9.6%
193025,031−4.0%
194025,5862.2%
195022,685−11.3%
196020,540−9.5%
197019,065−7.2%
198019,8063.9%
199019,041−3.9%
200020,4547.4%
201021,1593.4%
Est. 201820,528[7]−3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2015[1]

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/km²). There were 8,872 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/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 the age of 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.

Education

Public schools

/ Northeast Vernon County R-I School District – Walker

    • Northeast Vernon County Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Northeast Vernon County High School (07-12)
  • Sheldon R-VIII School District – Sheldon
    • Sheldon Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Sheldon High School (07-12)

Private schools

Colleges and universities

Public libraries
  • Nevada Public Library[13]

Politics

Local

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

Vernon County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Cherie K. Roberts Democratic
Circuit Clerk Vickie Erwin Democratic
County Clerk Mike Buehler[14] Republican
Collector Brent Banes Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Joe Hardin[14] Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Cindy Thompson Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Everett Wolf[15] Republican
Coroner David L. Ferry Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Brandy McInroy[14] Republican
Public Administrator Tammy Bond Democratic
Recorder Doug Shupe Republican
Sheriff Jason Mosher[14] Republican
Surveyor Jerry Wood Republican
Treasurer Brent Banes Republican

State
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 66.67% 5,699 30.66% 2,621 2.67% 228
2012 52.26% 4,424 44.40% 3,759 3.34% 283
2008 46.54% 4,095 51.05% 4,491 2.41% 212
2004 66.76% 5,989 31.97% 2,868 1.27% 114
2000 52.49% 4,370 45.20% 3,763 2.30% 192
1996 39.90% 3,039 57.27% 4,362 2.84% 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)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Patricia Pike 7,836 100.00% +46.45
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Patricia Pike 2,960 53.55% -46.45
Democratic Sam Foursha 2,398 43.38% +43.38
Constitution William M. Gilmore 170 3.07% +3.07
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Randy Pike 7,309 100.00%

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri’s 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Ed Emery (R-Lamar).

Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Ed Emery 5,492 65.69% -2.73
Independent Tim Wells 2,320 27.75% +27.75
Libertarian Lora Young 548 6.56% +6.56
Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Ed Emery 5,698 68.42%
Democratic Charlie A. Burton 2,630 31.58%

Federal
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Roy Blunt 5,448 63.71% +14.48
Democratic Jason Kander 2,700 31.58% -13.38
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 231 2.70% -3.11
Green Johnathan McFarland 91 1.06% +1.06
Constitution Fred Ryman 81 0.95% +0.95
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Todd Akin 4,171 49.23%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 3,810 44.96%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 492 5.81%

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)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Vicky Hartzler 6,526 77.00% +4.66
Democratic Gordon Christensen 1,676 19.78% -3.76
Libertarian Mark Bliss 273 3.22% -0.90
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Vicky Hartzler 3,970 72.34% +5.41
Democratic Nate Irvin 1,292 23.54% -5.66
Libertarian Herschel L. Young 226 4.12% +1.01
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Vicky Hartzler 5,597 66.93%
Democratic Teresa Hensley 2,442 29.20%
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook 260 3.11%
Constitution Greg Cowan 64 0.76%

Political culture

As Like many neighboring counties to it, 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.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 75.7% 6,533 19.8% 1,707 4.5% 391
2012 67.6% 5,758 30.3% 2,580 2.2% 183
2008 60.1% 5,334 38.1% 3,381 1.8% 163
2004 63.8% 5,732 35.7% 3,206 0.6% 54
2000 59.3% 4,985 37.5% 3,156 3.2% 267
1996 40.7% 3,123 43.8% 3,363 15.5% 1,188
1992 34.3% 2,851 42.7% 3,546 23.0% 1,906
1988 54.8% 4,149 44.9% 3,402 0.3% 21
1984 63.5% 5,181 36.6% 2,984
1980 51.9% 4,391 43.8% 3,704 4.3% 361
1976 42.8% 3,715 56.7% 4,921 0.6% 48
1972 61.5% 4,892 38.5% 3,057
1968 45.3% 3,590 44.9% 3,557 9.9% 783
1964 34.1% 3,077 65.9% 5,958
1960 56.3% 5,387 43.7% 4,186
1956 53.3% 5,184 46.7% 4,547
1952 56.9% 5,924 42.8% 4,450 0.3% 34
1948 41.6% 3,808 58.3% 5,342 0.2% 14
1944 51.4% 5,171 48.6% 4,885 0.1% 6
1940 46.4% 5,443 53.4% 6,271 0.2% 21
1936 39.6% 4,546 59.9% 6,872 0.5% 60
1932 29.5% 2,856 69.1% 6,687 1.4% 138
1928 60.9% 5,783 38.7% 3,676 0.3% 31
1924 38.9% 3,593 52.4% 4,839 8.7% 807
1920 45.3% 4,645 52.9% 5,419 1.8% 182
1916 35.5% 2,211 60.6% 3,776 3.9% 241
1912 26.6% 1,654 55.9% 3,483 17.5% 1,089
1908 37.5% 2,369 58.6% 3,705 3.9% 247
1904 40.5% 2,450 53.3% 3,225 6.2% 373
1900 34.2% 2,356 62.6% 4,306 3.2% 219
1896 30.0% 2,230 69.1% 5,133 0.9% 63
1892 29.1% 1,847 57.1% 3,627 13.8% 875
1888 34.0% 2,252 61.2% 4,057 4.8% 317

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
Vernon County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain705 (32.64%)
Mike Huckabee920 (42.59%)
Mitt Romney408 (18.89%)
Ron Paul74 (3.43%)
Vernon County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Clinton1,434 (61.55%)
Barack Obama732 (31.42%)
John Edwards (withdrawn)124 (5.32%)

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.

Communities

Townships

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Notable People

The Texas political figure Orville Bullington was born in Indian Springs in Vernon County before his family moved to Parker County, west of Fort Worth, Texas.

Alice Ghostley 1923-2008 Comedienne. Born in Eve, Missouri (Vernon County).

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See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  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 3 May 2015.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. Breeding, Marshall. "Nevada Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. 2014 Election
  15. 2012 Election
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-27.

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