Monroe County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 The Monroe County Courthouse in Paris | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:39°30′N92°00′W / 39.5°N 92°W /39.5; -92 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 6, 1831 |
| Named after | James Monroe |
| Seat | Paris |
| Largest city | Monroe City |
| Area | |
• Total | 670 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
| • Land | 648 sq mi (1,680 km2) |
| • Water | 23 sq mi (60 km2) 3.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 8,666 |
• Estimate (2024)[1] | 8,890 |
| • Density | 13.7/sq mi (5.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
Monroe County is acounty in northeastMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 8,666.[2] Itscounty seat isParis.[3] It is the birthplace ofMark Twain.
The county was organized January 6, 1831[4] and named forJames Monroe, the fifth President of the United States.[5]
Monroe County was one of several along theMissouri River settled by migrants from theUpper South, especiallyKentucky andTennessee. They broughtslaves and slaveholding traditions with them and quickly started cultivating crops similar to those inMiddle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco. They also brought characteristicantebellum architecture and culture. The county was at the heart of what was calledLittle Dixie.[6]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 670 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 648 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (3.4%) is water.[7]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 9,505 | — | |
| 1850 | 10,541 | 10.9% | |
| 1860 | 14,785 | 40.3% | |
| 1870 | 17,149 | 16.0% | |
| 1880 | 19,071 | 11.2% | |
| 1890 | 20,790 | 9.0% | |
| 1900 | 19,716 | −5.2% | |
| 1910 | 18,304 | −7.2% | |
| 1920 | 16,414 | −10.3% | |
| 1930 | 13,466 | −18.0% | |
| 1940 | 13,195 | −2.0% | |
| 1950 | 11,314 | −14.3% | |
| 1960 | 10,688 | −5.5% | |
| 1970 | 9,542 | −10.7% | |
| 1980 | 9,716 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 9,104 | −6.3% | |
| 2000 | 9,311 | 2.3% | |
| 2010 | 8,840 | −5.1% | |
| 2020 | 8,666 | −2.0% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 8,890 | 2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2015[12] 2024[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 8,666. The median age was 45.5 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.1 males age 18 and over.[13]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.8% White, 2.1% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.[14]
There were 3,565 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 4,466 housing units, of which 20.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.6% were owner-occupied and 22.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.[13]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[16] | Pop 1990[17] | Pop 2000[18] | Pop 2010[19] | Pop 2020[20] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 9,282 | 8,675 | 8,769 | 8,340 | 7,902 | 95.53% | 95.29% | 94.18% | 94.34% | 91.18% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 299 | 351 | 357 | 263 | 177 | 3.08% | 3.86% | 3.83% | 2.98% | 2.04% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 17 | 18 | 37 | 22 | 32 | 0.17% | 0.20% | 0.40% | 0.25% | 0.37% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 31 | 12 | 11 | 27 | 31 | 0.32% | 0.13% | 0.12% | 0.31% | 0.36% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 3 | 1 | 1 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 20 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 17 | 0.21% | 0.00% | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.20% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[23] | x[24] | 69 | 102 | 347 | x | x | 0.74% | 1.15% | 4.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 67 | 48 | 52 | 85 | 159 | 0.69% | 0.53% | 0.56% | 0.96% | 1.83% |
| Total | 9,716 | 9,104 | 9,311 | 8,840 | 8,666 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[25] of 2010, there were 8,840 people, 3,656 households, and 2,566 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 14 inhabitants per square mile (5.4/km2). There were 4,565 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.66%White, 3.83%Black orAfrican American, 0.41%Native American, 0.12%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.16% fromother races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Approximately 0.56% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 24.7% were ofGerman, 23.2%American, 14.2%English and 11.8%Irish ancestry.
There were 3,656 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% weremarried couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.90% 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 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,871, and the median income for a family was $36,895. Males had a median income of $26,534 versus $20,440 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,695. About 8.30% of families and 11.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
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TheDemocratic Party used to dominate politics at the local, state and federal levels in Monroe County. However, like the rest of the state, the county has swung heavily towards the Republican Party in recent years, with Republicans now controlling 10 of the 13 elected positions in the county.
The GOP began to make gains in the county in2006 at the state and federal level, and has gained ground in almost every election since.
Monroe County voters have selected Republican candidates over Democrats in 13 consecutiveU.S. House elections (1998 through2022), the last nineU.S. Senate elections (2000 through2022), six continuouspresidential contests (2000 through2020), four of five gubernatorial elections (2004 through2020), five of sixstate Senate races, and the last fourstate auditor races (2010 through2022). In2014, for the first time in history,[citation needed] RepublicanJim Hansen defeated a Democrat to represent the county in thestate House of Representatives. In 2016, for the first time in history, Ron Staggs, a Republican, was elected to a county office when he defeated a Democratic opponent for western commissioner. In 2018 two Republicans were elected to county offices: Talley Kendrick, the first Republican to run unopposed in a general election won as prosecuting attorney, and Lori Decker won a contested election for recorder. In the 2020 general election, four Republicans were elected to county office. In 2022, Curt Wheeler beat a Democrat and an Independent, to become the county's first Republican presiding commissioner.
In the 2008 general election, notwithstanding the secretary of state's race, for the first time in history, Monroe Countians gave a plurality to every Republican candidate for federal and state offices, on the ballot, that had a Democratic opponent. Four years later, in the 2012 election, Republican candidates won six of eight state-wide state and federal races, and one was lost by five votes out of more than 4,000 cast. In November 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 every Republican for federal and state office, on the county ballot, defeated their Democratic opponent.
In the April 2016 presidential primary, Republicans outvoted Democrats more than 3-to-1, 1,600 votes in the GOP primary compared to 495 in the Democratic, and more Republican votes than Democratic were cast in the 2020 presidential primary. In 2016's August primary, Republicans out voted Democrats 895 to 698; in the 2018 August primary, Republicans out voted Democrats 1,621 votes to 851. In both the 2020 presidential primary and the August primary Republicans outvoted Democrats two-to-one.
| Monroe County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Melinda James | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Heather D. Wheeler | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Beth Whelan | Republican | |
| Collector | Chrissy Graupman | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Curt Wheeler | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Mike Whelan | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Marilyn Morgan O'Bannon | Republican | |
| Coroner | James K. Reinhard | Democratic | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Nicole Volkert | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Jessica Chase | Republican | |
| Recorder | Lori Decker | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Joe Collston | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Shelia Jurgesmyer | Democratic | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 80.66%3,475 | 17.75%756 | 1.79%77 |
| 2020 | 78.23%3,472 | 20.28%900 | 1.49%66 |
| 2016 | 64.44%2,659 | 33.13%1,367 | 2.42%100 |
| 2012 | 48.55%1,948 | 48.68%1,953 | 2.77%111 |
| 2008 | 56.97%2,459 | 41.94%1,810 | 1.09%47 |
| 2004 | 60.00%2,576 | 38.90%1,670 | 1.10%47 |
| 2000 | 44.08%1,801 | 54.19%2,214 | 1.73%71 |
| 1996 | 27.51%1,053 | 70.72%2,707 | 1.78%68 |
Monroe County is divided into two representative districts in theMissouri House of Representatives, both represented by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 782 | 74.33% | +5.35 | |
| Democratic | O. C. Latta | 270 | 25.67% | −5.35 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 367 | 68.98% | +27.93 | |
| Democratic | C. Leroy Deichman | 165 | 31.02% | −27.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 429 | 41.05% | ||
| Democratic | Tom Shively | 616 | 58.95% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Hansen | 2,598 | 100.00% | +27.01 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Hansen | 1,208 | 72.99% | +36.82 | |
| Democratic | Lowell Jackson | 447 | 27.01% | −36.82 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Hansen | 1,080 | 36.17% | ||
| Democratic | Paul Quinn | 1,906 | 63.83% | ||
Monroe County is a part of Missouri's 10th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byJeanie Riddle (R-Fulton).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeanie Riddle | 1,599 | 71.55% | ||
| Democratic | Ed Schieffer | 620 | 28.45% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,584 | 62.89% | +15.00 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,330 | 32.39% | −14.77 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 105 | 2.55% | −2.40 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 48 | 1.69% | +1.69 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 42 | 1.02% | +1.02 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 1,917 | 47.89% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,888 | 47.16% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 198 | 4.95% | ||
Monroe County is included inMissouri's 6th congressional district and is currently represented bySam Graves (R-Tarkio) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 2,955 | 74.15% | +0.82 | |
| Democratic | David M. Blackwell | 899 | 22.56% | −1.81 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 94 | 2.36% | +0.06 | |
| Green | Mike Diel | 37 | 0.93% | +0.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,592 | 73.33% | +10.41 | |
| Democratic | Bill Hedge | 529 | 24.37% | −10.38 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 50 | 2.30% | +0.02 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 2,410 | 62.92% | ||
| Democratic | Kyle Yarber | 1,331 | 34.75% | ||
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 89 | 2.32% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 983 | 20.09% | 3,873 | 79.15% | 37 | 0.76% |
| 1892 | 787 | 16.57% | 3,863 | 81.33% | 100 | 2.11% |
| 1896 | 892 | 16.85% | 4,379 | 82.72% | 23 | 0.43% |
| 1900 | 795 | 16.30% | 4,016 | 82.35% | 66 | 1.35% |
| 1904 | 790 | 18.17% | 3,487 | 80.18% | 72 | 1.66% |
| 1908 | 871 | 18.61% | 3,772 | 80.58% | 38 | 0.81% |
| 1912 | 583 | 13.04% | 3,586 | 80.22% | 301 | 6.73% |
| 1916 | 742 | 16.20% | 3,738 | 81.60% | 101 | 2.20% |
| 1920 | 1,406 | 18.42% | 6,136 | 80.37% | 93 | 1.22% |
| 1924 | 1,141 | 16.51% | 5,597 | 81.00% | 172 | 2.49% |
| 1928 | 1,378 | 21.69% | 4,957 | 78.01% | 19 | 0.30% |
| 1932 | 714 | 10.25% | 6,210 | 89.12% | 44 | 0.63% |
| 1936 | 939 | 12.79% | 6,376 | 86.87% | 25 | 0.34% |
| 1940 | 1,200 | 16.60% | 6,018 | 83.23% | 13 | 0.18% |
| 1944 | 1,098 | 17.98% | 5,000 | 81.89% | 8 | 0.13% |
| 1948 | 809 | 14.49% | 4,769 | 85.39% | 7 | 0.13% |
| 1952 | 1,488 | 23.77% | 4,760 | 76.05% | 11 | 0.18% |
| 1956 | 1,331 | 23.18% | 4,412 | 76.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,519 | 27.47% | 4,011 | 72.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 928 | 18.45% | 4,103 | 81.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,349 | 29.07% | 2,776 | 59.81% | 516 | 11.12% |
| 1972 | 2,141 | 48.22% | 2,299 | 51.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,585 | 34.09% | 3,039 | 65.35% | 26 | 0.56% |
| 1980 | 2,026 | 44.48% | 2,445 | 53.68% | 84 | 1.84% |
| 1984 | 2,163 | 52.06% | 1,992 | 47.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,542 | 38.42% | 2,461 | 61.31% | 11 | 0.27% |
| 1992 | 1,153 | 27.54% | 2,060 | 49.20% | 974 | 23.26% |
| 1996 | 1,333 | 34.80% | 1,938 | 50.59% | 560 | 14.62% |
| 2000 | 2,175 | 53.13% | 1,860 | 45.43% | 59 | 1.44% |
| 2004 | 2,632 | 61.11% | 1,647 | 38.24% | 28 | 0.65% |
| 2008 | 2,533 | 58.72% | 1,703 | 39.48% | 78 | 1.81% |
| 2012 | 2,564 | 63.20% | 1,398 | 34.46% | 95 | 2.34% |
| 2016 | 3,159 | 76.01% | 853 | 20.52% | 144 | 3.46% |
| 2020 | 3,477 | 77.56% | 936 | 20.88% | 70 | 1.56% |
| 2024 | 3,476 | 79.40% | 857 | 19.58% | 45 | 1.03% |
During the 19th century and most of the 20th century Democrats controlled Monroe County. The county was one of only two jurisdictions in Missouri to be carried byDemocratGeorge McGovern in the1972 presidential election against incumbentRepublicanPresidentRichard Nixon, the other being the city ofSt. Louis. Monroe County was first carried by a Republican in 1976 byJohn Danforth in the U.S. Senate race. In 1984,Ronald Reagan became the first Republican candidate for president to win the county. Since 2000, the county has voted Republican in federal and state elections, and now Republicans control two-thirds of elected county positions. The last Democratic candidate to crack 40% of the county's vote wasAl Gore in2000.Barack Obama received just under 40% of the vote in2008 and around 34% in2012.Donald Trump became the first Republican to carry over 70% of the county's vote, which he did in all three of his runs in2016,2020, and2024.
In the April 2016 presidential primary, Republicans out voted Democrats more than 3-to-1, 1,600 votes in the GOP primary compared to 495 in the Democrat. In 2016's August primary, Republicans outvoted Democrats 895 to 698.
Places adjacent to Monroe County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofMonroe County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| CDP | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| Other | |
