Camden County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 The Camden County Courthouse in Camdenton | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:38°02′N92°46′W / 38.03°N 92.77°W /38.03; -92.77 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 29, 1841 |
| Named after | Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden |
| Seat | Camdenton |
| Largest city | Osage Beach |
| Area | |
• Total | 709 sq mi (1,840 km2) |
| • Land | 656 sq mi (1,700 km2) |
| • Water | 53 sq mi (140 km2) 7.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 42,745 |
• Estimate (2022) | 43,768 |
| • Density | 65.2/sq mi (25.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 3rd,4th |
| Website | www |
Camden County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 Census, the population was 42,745.[1] Itscounty seat isCamdenton.[2] The county was organized on January 29, 1841, as Kinderhook County and renamed Camden County in 1843 afterCharles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden,Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom and leader of theBritish Whig Party.[3][4] Camden County is also the primary setting of the Netflix showOzark.
There is no preserved record of the area that is now Camden County being inhabited before 1827, whenKentuckian settlers Harrison Davis and Reuben Berry pitched a camp on the Dry Auglaize Creek, eight miles east of what is nowLinn Creek. Throughout the next few years, more settlers came into the area, and by 1831, there were thirteen families living near the Dry Auglaize. Records of settling the Wet Auglaize Creek date back to the beginning of 1832. The first school in Camden County was built on a farm in 1833.[5]
The town of Oregon was established in 1841 and became the county seat. In 1843, when the name of the county was changed from Kinderhook to Camden, the name of Oregon was changed to Erie. In 1854, acholera epidemic struck Erie, leaving only 7 survivors. As a result, the county seat was changed toLinn Creek in 1855.[6]
Camden County saw some fighting during theAmerican Civil War.
| Battle of Monday's Hollow | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of theAmerican Civil War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |  Missouri State Guard | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Lt. Col. J.M. Johnson | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Unnamed cavalry unit | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed | Approximately 100 killed and wounded | ||||||
On October 13, 1861, the Battle of Monday's Hollow took place. Colonel John Wyman led the13th Illinois Infantry Regiment from the east towards Linn Creek, while the13th Illinois Cavalry Regiment, consisting of Major Clark Wright's Frémont Battalion and Major W.D. Bowen's First Battalion headed southwest towardsLebanon. Bowen's forces collided with aMissouri State Guard cavalry unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J.M. "Myscal" Johnson. Bowen called for assistance from Wright and Wyman, halting near whereMissouri Route 7 now crosses Murphy Creek. The Union forces saw Johnson's cavalry, and Wyman attacked, driving the Missouri State Guard in the direction of Lebanon.[7]
Wyman remained in his camp for several days after the Battle of Monday's Hollow. Southern partisans took control of an undefended Linn Creek. On October 14, 1861, the Frémont Battalion descended on the town and drove out the southerners, taking 37 prisoners.[7]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 709 square miles (1,840 km2), of which 656 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 53 square miles (140 km2) (7.4%) is water.[8]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,338 | — | |
| 1860 | 4,975 | 112.8% | |
| 1870 | 6,108 | 22.8% | |
| 1880 | 7,266 | 19.0% | |
| 1890 | 10,040 | 38.2% | |
| 1900 | 13,113 | 30.6% | |
| 1910 | 11,582 | −11.7% | |
| 1920 | 10,474 | −9.6% | |
| 1930 | 9,142 | −12.7% | |
| 1940 | 8,971 | −1.9% | |
| 1950 | 7,861 | −12.4% | |
| 1960 | 9,116 | 16.0% | |
| 1970 | 13,315 | 46.1% | |
| 1980 | 20,017 | 50.3% | |
| 1990 | 27,495 | 37.4% | |
| 2000 | 37,051 | 34.8% | |
| 2010 | 44,002 | 18.8% | |
| 2020 | 42,745 | −2.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 43,436 | 1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[1] | |||
As of thecensus[13] of 2000, there were 37,051 people, 15,779 households, and 11,297 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 57 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 33,470 housing units at an average density of 51 units per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.68%White, 0.26%Black orAfrican American, 0.49%Native American, 0.29%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.22% fromother races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Approximately 0.93% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 15,779 households, out of which 23.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.80% weremarried couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.68.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.30% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 31.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,840, and the median income for a family was $40,695. Males had a median income of $28,020 versus $20,825 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $20,197. About 8.00% of families and 11.40% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Camden County is part of theBible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Camden County who adhere to a religion areSouthern Baptists (33.09%),nondenominationalevangelical groups (13.92%), andRoman Catholics (11.44%).
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 38,714 | 90.6% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 247 | 0.6% |
| Native American (NH) | 177 | 0.41% |
| Asian (NH) | 221 | 0.52% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 28 | 0.07% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 2,003 | 5.7% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 1,355 | 4.7% |
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TheRepublican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Camden County.
| Camden County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Marty McGuire | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Kayla Henry | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Rowland Todd | Republican | |
| Collector | Teresa Murray | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Ike Skelton | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | James Gohagan | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Steve Dougan | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Richelle Christensen-Grosvenor | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Thomas Gorsline | Republican | |
| Recorder | Donnie Snelling | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Chris Edgar | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Kendra Hicks | Republican | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 75.95%19,104 | 21.94%5,519 | 2.11%532 |
| 2020 | 76.18%18,837 | 22.08%5,461 | 1.74%430 |
| 2016 | 67.09%15,050 | 29.80%6,686 | 3.11%698 |
| 2012 | 54.91%11,986 | 42.19%9,210 | 2.90%632 |
| 2008 | 48.79%10,716 | 49.15%10,795 | 2.06%453 |
| 2004 | 61.18%11,956 | 37.87%7,401 | 0.95%184 |
| 2000 | 56.24%9,555 | 41.55%7,059 | 2.21%376 |
| 1996 | 50.25%7,385 | 46.34%6,810 | 3.42%502 |
Camden County is split between two legislative districts that elect members of theMissouri House of Representatives, both of which are represented by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Suzie Pollock | 9,459 | 87.16% | +11.25 | |
| Constitution | Pat Bellew | 1,394 | 12.84% | +12.84 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Suzie Pollock | 6,920 | 75.91% | −24.09 | |
| Democratic | Joe Register | 2,196 | 24.09% | +24.09 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lisa Thomas | 11,287 | 100.00% | −24.18 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rocky Miller | 7,971 | 75.82% | −24.18 | |
| Democratic | Steve Dakopolos | 2,542 | 24.18% | +24.18 | |
All of Camden County is a part of Missouri's 16th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byJustin Brown (R-Rolla).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Brown | 14,356 | 73.37% | −26.63 | |
| Democratic | Ryan Dillon | 5,211 | 26.63% | +26.63 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Brown | 8,760 | 100.00% | ||
Most of Camden County is included inMissouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented byBlaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in theU.S. House of Representatives. Luetkemeyer was elected to a seventh term in2020 over Democratic challenger Megan Rezabek.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 11,652 | 77.57% | +2.21 | |
| Democratic | Megan Rezabek | 3,122 | 20.78% | −2.12 | |
| Libertarian | Leonard J. Steinman II | 248 | 1.65% | −0.10 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 9,051 | 75.36% | −0.36 | |
| Democratic | Katy Geppert | 2,750 | 22.90% | +1.95 | |
| Libertarian | Donald V. Stolle | 210 | 1.75% | −0.90 | |
Part of Camden County is included inMissouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented byVicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in theU.S. House of Representatives. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in2020 over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 7,270 | 78.03% | +1.57 | |
| Democratic | Lindsey Simmons | 1,809 | 19.42% | −1.98 | |
| Libertarian | Steven K. Koonse | 238 | 2.55% | +0.41 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 5,980 | 76.46% | −0.22 | |
| Democratic | Renee Hoagenson | 1,674 | 21.40% | +1.72 | |
| Libertarian | Mark Bliss | 167 | 2.14% | −1.50 | |
Camden County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in theU.S. Senate byJosh Hawley (R-Columbia) andRoy Blunt (R-Strafford).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Josh Hawley | 13,995 | 69.94% | +20.15 | |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 5,425 | 27.11% | −15.86 | |
| Independent | Craig O'Dear | 299 | 1.49% | ||
| Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 294 | 1.02% | −6.20 | |
| Green | Jo Crain | 87 | 0.44% | +0.44 | |
Blunt was elected to a second term in2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of StateJason Kander.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 14,434 | 64.36% | +14.57 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 6,995 | 31.19% | −11.78 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 580 | 2.59% | −4.63 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 210 | 0.94% | +0.94 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 208 | 0.93% | +0.93 | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,056 | 53.99% | 675 | 34.51% | 225 | 11.50% |
| 1892 | 1,070 | 53.99% | 602 | 30.37% | 310 | 15.64% |
| 1896 | 1,326 | 50.40% | 1,287 | 48.92% | 18 | 0.68% |
| 1900 | 1,511 | 58.14% | 1,078 | 41.48% | 10 | 0.38% |
| 1904 | 1,466 | 60.23% | 883 | 36.28% | 85 | 3.49% |
| 1908 | 1,446 | 58.90% | 955 | 38.90% | 54 | 2.20% |
| 1912 | 918 | 49.12% | 667 | 35.69% | 284 | 15.20% |
| 1916 | 1,261 | 56.17% | 930 | 41.43% | 54 | 2.41% |
| 1920 | 2,276 | 67.96% | 1,034 | 30.87% | 39 | 1.16% |
| 1924 | 1,732 | 57.14% | 1,196 | 39.46% | 103 | 3.40% |
| 1928 | 2,085 | 77.37% | 606 | 22.49% | 4 | 0.15% |
| 1932 | 1,497 | 45.19% | 1,801 | 54.36% | 15 | 0.45% |
| 1936 | 2,281 | 54.37% | 1,908 | 45.48% | 6 | 0.14% |
| 1940 | 2,692 | 63.40% | 1,549 | 36.48% | 5 | 0.12% |
| 1944 | 2,180 | 68.66% | 990 | 31.18% | 5 | 0.16% |
| 1948 | 2,020 | 61.38% | 1,264 | 38.41% | 7 | 0.21% |
| 1952 | 2,789 | 69.29% | 1,226 | 30.46% | 10 | 0.25% |
| 1956 | 2,817 | 65.86% | 1,460 | 34.14% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,509 | 66.61% | 1,759 | 33.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,607 | 50.83% | 2,522 | 49.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 3,500 | 61.00% | 1,605 | 27.97% | 633 | 11.03% |
| 1972 | 4,996 | 73.94% | 1,761 | 26.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 4,469 | 52.51% | 3,975 | 46.71% | 66 | 0.78% |
| 1980 | 6,541 | 63.84% | 3,416 | 33.34% | 289 | 2.82% |
| 1984 | 8,057 | 72.29% | 3,088 | 27.71% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 7,773 | 66.10% | 3,930 | 33.42% | 56 | 0.48% |
| 1992 | 5,554 | 37.97% | 5,140 | 35.14% | 3,933 | 26.89% |
| 1996 | 7,190 | 48.93% | 5,566 | 37.88% | 1,938 | 13.19% |
| 2000 | 10,358 | 60.58% | 6,323 | 36.98% | 418 | 2.44% |
| 2004 | 13,122 | 67.23% | 6,296 | 32.26% | 101 | 0.52% |
| 2008 | 14,074 | 63.40% | 7,773 | 35.02% | 350 | 1.58% |
| 2012 | 15,092 | 68.55% | 6,458 | 29.33% | 465 | 2.11% |
| 2016 | 16,944 | 74.71% | 4,768 | 21.02% | 968 | 4.27% |
| 2020 | 18,850 | 75.97% | 5,652 | 22.78% | 310 | 1.25% |
| 2024 | 19,597 | 76.49% | 5,724 | 22.34% | 301 | 1.17% |
Camden County has long been a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county wasFranklin D. Roosevelt in1932, the only time a Democrat has won the county sinceStephen Douglas in1860. Underlining how Republican the county is, it rejected native sonHarry Truman in 1944 when he was Roosevelt's running mate, and when he headed the ticket himself in 1948.Jimmy Carter is the only Democrat sinceLyndon B. Johnson to manage even 40 percent of the county's vote.
Like most rural areas in western Missouri, voters in Camden County generally adhere to socially and culturallyconservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings.
The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, formerVice PresidentJoe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Camden County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeatPresidentDonald Trump in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Biden | 2,101 | 69.14 | ||
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 756 | 24.88 | ||
| Democratic | Tulsi Gabbard | 34 | 1.12 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 148 | 4.87 | ||
IncumbentPresidentDonald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from formerMassachusetts GovernorBill Weld, but won both Camden County and statewide by overwhelming margins.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 3,564 | 97.94 | ||
| Republican | Bill Weld | 14 | 0.39 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 61 | 1.68 | ||
The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. BusinessmanDonald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but carried a majority of the vote in Camden County. He went on to win the presidency.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 5,467 | 54.88 | ||
| Republican | Ted Cruz | 2,985 | 29.97 | ||
| Republican | John Kasich | 846 | 8.49 | ||
| Republican | Marco Rubio | 473 | 4.75 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 190 | 1.91 | ||
On the Democratic side, formerSecretary of StateHillary Clinton (D-New York) narrowly won statewide, butSenatorBernie Sanders (I-Vermont) carried Camden County by a small margin.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 1,419 | 49.95 | ||
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 1,388 | 48.86 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 34 | 1.20 | ||
The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Camden County supported formerU.S. SenatorRick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to formerGovernorMitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. IncumbentPresidentBarack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.
In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, withSenatorJohn McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John McCain | 2,196 | 33.92 | ||
| Republican | Mike Huckabee | 2,133 | 32.94 | ||
| Republican | Mitt Romney | 1,843 | 28.46 | ||
| Republican | Ron Paul | 194 | 3.00 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 109 | 1.69 | ||
Then-SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Camden County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri,Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also aSenator 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 | 2,794 | 57.99 | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 1,867 | 38.75 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 157 | 3.26 | ||
Places adjacent to Camden County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofCamden County, Missouri,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
