Marion County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Marion County Courthouse in Palmyra | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°49′N91°37′W / 39.81°N 91.62°W /39.81; -91.62 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | December 23, 1826 |
| Named after | Francis Marion |
| Seat | Palmyra |
| Largest city | Hannibal |
| Area | |
• Total | 444 sq mi (1,150 km2) |
| • Land | 437 sq mi (1,130 km2) |
| • Water | 7.4 sq mi (19 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 28,525 |
| • Density | 64/sq mi (25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | https://marioncountymo.com/ |
Marion County is acounty located in the northeastern portion ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 28,525.[1] Itscounty seat isPalmyra.[2] Unique from most third-class counties in the state, Marion has two county courthouses, the second located inHannibal.[3] The county was organized on December 23, 1826,[4][5] and named for GeneralFrancis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," who was from South Carolina and served in theAmerican Revolutionary War.[6] The area was known as the "Two Rivers Country" before organization. Marion County is part of the Hannibal, MissouriMicropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in theQuincy-Hannibal,IL-MOCombined Statistical Area.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 437 square miles (1,130 km2) is land, and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.7%) is water.[7]
Marion County was created by the state legislature in 1845 from parts of Ralls and Shelby Counties. It was settled from Virginia and Kentucky by farmers looking for cheap farmland; some owned slaves. It was named after Francis Marion, a general in the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Palmyra, which was established in 1833. Hannibal became a locally important river port on the Mississippi. By the late 1800s, the county was the center of a thriving agricultural community. Tobacco was the main crop, though cotton, wheat, barley, oats, and hay were also grown. Livestock included horses, mules, and cattle.[8]
The best known native son isMark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) born in 1835, in the village of Florida. His youthful experiences in Hannibal became the setting for the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.[9] Other prominent locals included GovernorJohn S. Phelps, and Confederate General A.P. Morehead. The region was bitterly divided in the Civil War but Unionist elements prevailed. Palmyra was the site of a skirmish in 1862, and the county was the site of several other battles and raids. Today, Marion County continues to be primarily an agricultural county. It is home to a number of historic sites and buildings, with a major tourist industry focused on Mark Twain characters and settings.[10]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 4,837 | — | |
| 1840 | 9,623 | 98.9% | |
| 1850 | 12,230 | 27.1% | |
| 1860 | 18,838 | 54.0% | |
| 1870 | 23,780 | 26.2% | |
| 1880 | 24,837 | 4.4% | |
| 1890 | 26,233 | 5.6% | |
| 1900 | 26,331 | 0.4% | |
| 1910 | 30,572 | 16.1% | |
| 1920 | 30,226 | −1.1% | |
| 1930 | 33,493 | 10.8% | |
| 1940 | 31,576 | −5.7% | |
| 1950 | 29,765 | −5.7% | |
| 1960 | 29,522 | −0.8% | |
| 1970 | 28,121 | −4.7% | |
| 1980 | 28,638 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 27,682 | −3.3% | |
| 2000 | 28,289 | 2.2% | |
| 2010 | 28,781 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 28,525 | −0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010[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) | 26,968 | 26,131 | 26,236 | 26,202 | 24,930 | 94.17% | 94.40% | 92.74% | 91.04% | 87.40% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1,334 | 1,239 | 1,303 | 1,400 | 1,363 | 4.66% | 4.48% | 4.61% | 4.86% | 4.78% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 40 | 68 | 66 | 46 | 67 | 0.14% | 0.25% | 0.23% | 0.16% | 0.23% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 73 | 106 | 78 | 153 | 165 | 0.25% | 0.38% | 0.28% | 0.53% | 0.58% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 15 | 20 | 16 | x | x | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 37 | 20 | 11 | 24 | 96 | 0.13% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.08% | 0.34% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[23] | x[24] | 328 | 545 | 1,372 | x | x | 1.16% | 1.89% | 4.81% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 186 | 118 | 252 | 391 | 516 | 0.65% | 0.43% | 0.89% | 1.36% | 1.81% |
| Total | 28,638 | 27,682 | 28,289 | 28,781 | 28,525 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[25] of 2010, there were 28,781 people, 11,066 households, and 7,524 families residing in the county. The population density was 65 inhabitants per square mile (25/km2). There were 12,443 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.26%White, 4.62%Black orAfrican American, 0.27%Native American, 0.28%Asian, 0.08%Pacific Islander, 0.18% fromother races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Approximately 0.89% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 28.5% wereGerman, 25.6%American, 11.0%Irish, and 10.3%English ancestry.
There were 11,066 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% weremarried couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% 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 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,774, and the median income for a family was $41,290. Males had a median income of $30,935 versus $20,591 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,964. About 9.30% of families and 12.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.
Hannibal Free Public Library[26]
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| Marion County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Mark Novak | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Cheryl Damron (Division I) / Chris Tate (Division II) | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Marla Meyers | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | David Lomax | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Steve Begley | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Larry Welch | Republican | |
| Coroner | Rick Jones | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Luke A Bryant | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Wendy Howe | Democratic | |
| Recorder | Harla Friez | Democratic | |
| Sheriff | Jimmy Shinn | Republican | |
| Surveyor | John D. Janes | Independent | |
| Treasurer | Joelle Fohey | Democratic | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76.43%9,887 | 21.54%2,786 | 2.03%263 |
| 2020 | 75.91%10,082 | 22.70%3,015 | 1.39%185 |
| 2016 | 65.84%8,484 | 31.86%4,105 | 2.30%297 |
| 2012 | 53.03%6,380 | 44.83%5,394 | 2.14%257 |
| 2008 | 58.82%7,341 | 39.77%4,964 | 1.41%176 |
| 2004 | 67.03%8,292 | 31.77%3,930 | 1.20%148 |
| 2000 | 50.05%5,832 | 48.88%5,696 | 1.07%125 |
| 1996 | 31.55%3,388 | 66.68%7,161 | 1.78%191 |
Marion County is in Missouri's 5th district in theMissouri House of Representatives, represented byLindell F. Shumake (R-Hannibal).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 9,532 | 74.88% | +0.24 | |
| Democratic | O.C. Latta | 3,197 | 25.12% | −0.24 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 5,089 | 74.64% | +12.30 | |
| Democratic | C. Leroy Deichman | 1,729 | 25.36% | −12.30 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 7,445 | 62.34% | ||
| Democratic | Tom Shively | 4,497 | 37.66% | ||
All of Marion County is a part of Missouri's 18th District in theMissouri Senate; it is represented byBrian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brian Munzlinger | 5,630 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 8,239 | 64.11% | +11.46 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 4,115 | 32.02% | −11.77 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 277 | 2.16% | −1.40 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 128 | 1.00% | +1.00 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 93 | 0.72% | +0.72 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 6,350 | 52.65% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 5,281 | 43.79% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 429 | 3.56% | ||
Marion County is included inMissouri's 6th Congressional District and is represented bySam Graves (R-Tarkio) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 9,405 | 74.46% | +0.30 | |
| Democratic | David M. Blackwell | 2,915 | 23.08% | −0.76 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 193 | 1.53% | −0.47 | |
| Green | Mike Diel | 118 | 0.93% | +0.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 5,008 | 74.16% | +9.76 | |
| Democratic | Bill Hedge | 1,610 | 23.84% | −9.88 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 135 | 2.00% | +0.12 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 7,462 | 64.40% | ||
| Democratic | Kyle Yarber | 3,907 | 33.72% | ||
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 218 | 1.88% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,294 | 39.02% | 3,365 | 57.24% | 220 | 3.74% |
| 1892 | 2,154 | 36.47% | 3,634 | 61.52% | 119 | 2.01% |
| 1896 | 2,699 | 39.93% | 4,008 | 59.30% | 52 | 0.77% |
| 1900 | 2,490 | 38.16% | 3,927 | 60.17% | 109 | 1.67% |
| 1904 | 2,433 | 42.22% | 3,127 | 54.27% | 202 | 3.51% |
| 1908 | 2,554 | 37.71% | 3,982 | 58.80% | 236 | 3.48% |
| 1912 | 1,693 | 28.65% | 3,471 | 58.74% | 745 | 12.61% |
| 1916 | 2,759 | 37.28% | 4,534 | 61.26% | 108 | 1.46% |
| 1920 | 4,660 | 40.36% | 6,719 | 58.20% | 166 | 1.44% |
| 1924 | 5,408 | 43.98% | 5,739 | 46.67% | 1,150 | 9.35% |
| 1928 | 7,664 | 57.34% | 5,679 | 42.49% | 24 | 0.18% |
| 1932 | 4,123 | 28.40% | 10,293 | 70.89% | 103 | 0.71% |
| 1936 | 4,628 | 29.39% | 11,068 | 70.29% | 51 | 0.32% |
| 1940 | 5,892 | 37.62% | 9,723 | 62.09% | 45 | 0.29% |
| 1944 | 4,560 | 34.68% | 8,575 | 65.21% | 14 | 0.11% |
| 1948 | 3,802 | 29.37% | 9,122 | 70.47% | 20 | 0.15% |
| 1952 | 6,162 | 42.10% | 8,457 | 57.78% | 18 | 0.12% |
| 1956 | 5,657 | 45.14% | 6,874 | 54.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 6,431 | 48.76% | 6,758 | 51.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,605 | 30.25% | 8,314 | 69.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,732 | 41.62% | 5,416 | 47.64% | 1,221 | 10.74% |
| 1972 | 7,197 | 63.31% | 4,171 | 36.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 5,501 | 47.17% | 6,124 | 52.51% | 38 | 0.33% |
| 1980 | 6,036 | 49.53% | 5,890 | 48.33% | 260 | 2.13% |
| 1984 | 6,831 | 59.42% | 4,666 | 40.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 5,034 | 47.16% | 5,617 | 52.62% | 23 | 0.22% |
| 1992 | 4,762 | 40.41% | 5,156 | 43.76% | 1,865 | 15.83% |
| 1996 | 4,653 | 43.40% | 4,924 | 45.93% | 1,144 | 10.67% |
| 2000 | 6,550 | 55.93% | 4,993 | 42.63% | 169 | 1.44% |
| 2004 | 7,815 | 62.76% | 4,568 | 36.68% | 70 | 0.56% |
| 2008 | 7,705 | 61.38% | 4,703 | 37.47% | 145 | 1.16% |
| 2012 | 7,923 | 65.17% | 4,031 | 33.16% | 204 | 1.68% |
| 2016 | 9,419 | 72.80% | 2,994 | 23.14% | 525 | 4.06% |
| 2020 | 9,915 | 74.13% | 3,202 | 23.94% | 259 | 1.94% |
| 2024 | 9,991 | 75.96% | 3,032 | 23.05% | 130 | 0.99% |
Historically a Democratic county in the 20th century, with the exception of Republican landslides in 1972 and 1984, Marion County has been reliably Republican since 2000. The last Democrat to receive 40% or more of the vote wasAl Gore that same year.
FormerU.S. SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,587, than any candidate from either party in Marion County during the 2008 presidential primary.
Media related toMarion County, Missouri at Wikimedia CommonsPlaces adjacent to Marion County, Missouri | |
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Municipalities and communities ofMarion County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
