Christian County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:36°58′N93°11′W / 36.97°N 93.19°W /36.97; -93.19 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | March 8, 1859[1] |
| Named after | William Christian |
| Seat | Ozark |
| Largest city | Nixa |
| Area | |
• Total | 564 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
| • Land | 563 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
| • Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) 0.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 88,842 |
| • Density | 158/sq mi (60.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Website | christiancountymo |
Christian County is located in the southwestern part of theU.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, its population was 88,842. Itscounty seat isOzark.[2] The county was organized in 1859 and is named afterChristian County, Kentucky, which in turn is named forWilliam Christian, aKentucky soldier of theAmerican Revolutionary War.[3]
Part of theSpringfield, Missouri metropolitan statistical area, Christian County experienced rapid growth between 2000 and 2010, becoming the fastest-growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest in the nation, largely due to Springfield's expansion.[4]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is are covered by water.[5]The county is drained byJames River and branches of theWhite River. The surface is undulating or hilly.[6]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 5,491 | — | |
| 1870 | 6,707 | 22.1% | |
| 1880 | 9,628 | 43.6% | |
| 1890 | 14,017 | 45.6% | |
| 1900 | 16,939 | 20.8% | |
| 1910 | 15,832 | −6.5% | |
| 1920 | 15,252 | −3.7% | |
| 1930 | 13,169 | −13.7% | |
| 1940 | 13,538 | 2.8% | |
| 1950 | 12,412 | −8.3% | |
| 1960 | 12,359 | −0.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,124 | 22.4% | |
| 1980 | 22,402 | 48.1% | |
| 1990 | 32,644 | 45.7% | |
| 2000 | 54,285 | 66.3% | |
| 2010 | 77,422 | 42.6% | |
| 2020 | 88,842 | 14.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[11] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[12] | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 52,409 | 72,982 | 78,890 | 96.54% | 94.27% | 88.80% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 139 | 433 | 597 | 0.26% | 0.56% | 0.67% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 281 | 442 | 468 | 0.52% | 0.57% | 0.53% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 154 | 385 | 624 | 0.28% | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian alone (NH) | 15 | 50 | 68 | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 29 | 240 | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.27% |
| Multiracial (NH) | 560 | 1,203 | 4,943 | 1.03% | 1.55% | 5.56% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 714 | 1,898 | 3,012 | 1.32% | 2.45% | 3.39% |
| Total | 54,285 | 77,422 | 88,842 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 88,842. The median age was 38.1 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.7 males age 18 and over.[15][16]
The racial makeup of the county was 90.0% White, 0.7%Black or African American, 0.6%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Asian, 0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 6.8% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.[16]
57.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 42.2% lived in rural areas.[17]
There were 33,385 households in the county, of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]
There were 35,134 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.5% were owner-occupied and 25.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%.[15]
As of the 2000census,[18] 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families were residing in the county. The population density was 96 inhabitants per square mile (37/km2). The 21,827 housing units had an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White, 0.27% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% fromother races, and 1.13% from two or more races. About 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race; 23.7% were ofAmerican, 21.1%German, 12.3%English and 11.3%Irish in ancestry.
Of the 20,425 households, 38.6% had children under 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were not families. Around 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the age distribution was 27.8% under 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $50,200, and for a family was $58,806. Males had a median income of $31,929 versus $21,852 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $23,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
TheRepublican Party controls politics at the local level in Christian County. The Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.
On May 20, 2015, Sheriff Joey Kyle plead guilty to embezzling county funds and participating in an illegal fraud scheme. As a part of a plea agreement, he immediately resigned as sheriff, was sentenced to one year plus one day in federal prison, and must repay more than $50,000 in restitution to Christian County.[19]
| Christian County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Danny Gray | Republican | |
| Auditor | Amy Dent | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Barbie Barnett-Stillings | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Kay Brown | Republican | |
| Collector | Ted Nichols | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Lynn Morris | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Johnny Williams | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Bradley A. Jackson | Republican | |
| Coroner | Mandi Armintage | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Amy Fite | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Ken Davis | Republican | |
| Recorder | Kelly Hall | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Brad Cole | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Karen Matthews | Republican | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 74.71%37,658 | 23.51%11,822 | 1.78%897 |
| 2020 | 74.60%34,827 | 23.30%10,863 | 2.1%970 |
| 2016 | 68.97%28,618 | 27.94%11,593 | 3.09%1,285 |
| 2012 | 58.01%21,902 | 39.73%15,000 | 2.26%852 |
| 2008 | 49.65%18,556 | 47.73%17,840 | 2.61%977 |
| 2004 | 68.61%21,400 | 30.27%9,443 | 1.12%348 |
| 2000 | 58.90%13,646 | 39.49%9,148 | 1.61%373 |
| 1996 | 56.69%10,559 | 40.22%7,491 | 3.10%577 |
Christian County is divided into three legislative districts in theMissouri House of Representatives, all of which are represented by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Phillips | 1,865 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Phillips | 856 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Phillips | 1,625 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jared Taylor | 16,991 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jered Taylor | 7,528 | 100.00% | +28.86 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kevin Elmer | 12,375 | 71.14% | ||
| Democratic | Bob Rubino | 5,020 | 28.86% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lynn Morris | 14,371 | 75.80% | +3.45 | |
| Democratic | Jim Billedo | 4,175 | 22.02% | +1.27 | |
| Green | Robert Debbaut | 413 | 2.18% | +2.18 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lynn Morris | 7,151 | 79.25% | −20.75 | |
| Democratic | Jim Billedo | 1,872 | 20.75% | +20.75 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lynn Morris | 15,284 | 100.00% | ||
All of Christian County is a part of Missouri's 20th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byEric Burlison (R-Battlefield).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jay Wasson | 16,395 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 27,812 | 66.93% | +12.53 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 11,857 | 28.53% | −9.67 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 1,113 | 2.68% | −4.72 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 356 | 0.86% | +0.86 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 418 | 1.00% | +1.00 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 20,383 | 54.40% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 14,312 | 38.20% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 2,774 | 7.40% | ||
All of Christian County is included inMissouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented byEric Burlison (R-Ozark) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 28,849 | 70.50% | +6.41 | |
| Democratic | Genevieve Williams | 9,890 | 24.17% | −1.75 | |
| Libertarian | Benjamin T. Brixey | 2,179 | 5.33% | −4.66 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 12,261 | 64.09% | −2.08 | |
| Democratic | Jim Evans | 4,959 | 25.92% | −2.04 | |
| Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 1,910 | 9.99% | +4.12 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 24,505 | 66.17% | ||
| Democratic | Jim Evans | 10,353 | 27.96% | ||
| Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 2,174 | 5.87% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,541 | 55.00% | 795 | 28.37% | 466 | 16.63% |
| 1892 | 1,559 | 54.32% | 653 | 22.75% | 658 | 22.93% |
| 1896 | 1,983 | 53.32% | 1,729 | 46.49% | 7 | 0.19% |
| 1900 | 2,107 | 59.59% | 1,326 | 37.50% | 103 | 2.91% |
| 1904 | 1,947 | 66.13% | 871 | 29.59% | 126 | 4.28% |
| 1908 | 1,871 | 61.08% | 956 | 31.21% | 236 | 7.70% |
| 1912 | 1,203 | 39.55% | 793 | 26.07% | 1,046 | 34.39% |
| 1916 | 1,978 | 64.37% | 938 | 30.52% | 157 | 5.11% |
| 1920 | 3,795 | 78.13% | 919 | 18.92% | 143 | 2.94% |
| 1924 | 2,692 | 62.77% | 1,281 | 29.87% | 316 | 7.37% |
| 1928 | 3,576 | 75.75% | 1,124 | 23.81% | 21 | 0.44% |
| 1932 | 2,395 | 47.38% | 2,577 | 50.98% | 83 | 1.64% |
| 1936 | 4,022 | 61.87% | 2,462 | 37.87% | 17 | 0.26% |
| 1940 | 4,509 | 72.11% | 1,729 | 27.65% | 15 | 0.24% |
| 1944 | 4,167 | 78.47% | 1,134 | 21.36% | 9 | 0.17% |
| 1948 | 3,129 | 66.08% | 1,600 | 33.79% | 6 | 0.13% |
| 1952 | 4,440 | 76.24% | 1,374 | 23.59% | 10 | 0.17% |
| 1956 | 3,732 | 68.33% | 1,730 | 31.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,627 | 74.04% | 1,622 | 25.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,232 | 54.98% | 2,646 | 45.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,019 | 64.43% | 1,586 | 25.42% | 633 | 10.15% |
| 1972 | 6,305 | 76.42% | 1,945 | 23.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 4,553 | 53.93% | 3,830 | 45.37% | 59 | 0.70% |
| 1980 | 6,487 | 63.28% | 3,502 | 34.16% | 262 | 2.56% |
| 1984 | 7,634 | 70.31% | 3,223 | 29.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 7,670 | 61.66% | 4,724 | 37.97% | 46 | 0.37% |
| 1992 | 7,422 | 43.29% | 6,242 | 36.41% | 3,481 | 20.30% |
| 1996 | 9,477 | 50.97% | 6,627 | 35.64% | 2,491 | 13.40% |
| 2000 | 14,824 | 63.82% | 7,896 | 33.99% | 508 | 2.19% |
| 2004 | 22,102 | 70.51% | 9,059 | 28.90% | 187 | 0.60% |
| 2008 | 25,382 | 67.08% | 11,883 | 31.41% | 572 | 1.51% |
| 2012 | 27,473 | 72.37% | 9,813 | 25.85% | 678 | 1.79% |
| 2016 | 30,946 | 73.92% | 8,508 | 20.32% | 2,409 | 5.75% |
| 2020 | 34,920 | 74.42% | 11,131 | 23.72% | 874 | 1.86% |
| 2024 | 38,379 | 75.57% | 11,850 | 23.33% | 560 | 1.10% |
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Christian County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections.George W. Bush carried Christian County in2000 and2004 by more than two-to-one margins, and like many other rural and exurban counties throughout Missouri, Christian County strongly favoredJohn McCain overBarack Obama in2008. The only Democratic presidential candidate to win Christian County since the Civil War has beenFranklin Delano Rooseveltin 1932.[22] In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was the favored candidate receiving 30,941 votes.[23]
Like most areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Christian County traditionally adhere to socially and culturallyconservative principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted ona constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Christian County with 80.46 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to bansame-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted ona constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Christian County with 58.98 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approveembryonic stem cell research. Despite Christian County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancingpopulist causes like increasing theminimum 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 Christian County with 73.01 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.
Voters in Christian County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally. FormerGovernorMike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 5,852, than any candidate from either party in Christian County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.
School districts in the county, including those based in other counties with segments of this county, include:[24]
Christian County currently has three public library branches that serve the community. The Christian County Library (CCL) operates these branches. The library offers residents books, A/V materials, programming, printing, and WiFi access.[25] There is a branch in Ozark, Nixa, and Clever.[26] In August 2019, the library announced the continuation of their expansion to the public. Construction is set to begin on at least one new library branch by spring 2020.[27]
On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, voters in Christian County approved to instate a 20-cent property tax levy. Sixty-eight percent of the voters approved the tax. Before this tax, the library was only able to operate one branch for the whole county. To accommodate new housing and population growth in the county, CCL announced their intentions to construct and/or open new branches around the county. The tax approval also allowed for a renovation of the original Ozark Branch. CCL expects eighty-five percent of the population in Christian County to be within a five-mile radius of the library after all intended branches are opened.[28]
| Position Held | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Ken Barthelette |
| Vice President | Loretta Hermann |
| Treasurer | Maurine Myers |
| Secretary | Heather Davidson |
| Member at Large | Christa Mitchell |
The Christian County chapter of theBald Knobbers created the distinctive masks that the group has become known for, despite the original Taney County chapter never adopting such masks.[31] This masked depiction is what would eventually be used in the book,The Shepherd of the Hills byHarold Bell Wright. The book would later be adapted to film and the stage. This masked depiction can also be seen on the ride Fire in the Hole located atSilver Dollar City.
Jason Bourne, the main protagonist of theBourne film franchise was from Nixa, the largest city in Christian County.
The 2010 filmWinter's Bone was filmed entirely in Taney County and Christian County. Many locals were cast in significant roles in the film.[32]
Places adjacent to Christian County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofChristian County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Village | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
