Ray County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Ray County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:39°21′N93°59′W / 39.35°N 93.99°W /39.35; -93.99 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | November 16, 1820 |
| Named after | John Ray, Missouri state legislator |
| Seat | Richmond |
| Largest city | Richmond |
| Area | |
• Total | 574 sq mi (1,490 km2) |
| • Land | 569 sq mi (1,470 km2) |
| • Water | 5.1 sq mi (13 km2) 0.9% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 23,158 |
| • Density | 40.7/sq mi (15.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
Ray County is acounty located in the northwestern portion of theU.S. state ofMissouri and is part of theKansas City metropolitan area. As of the2020 census, the population was 23,158.[1] Itscounty seat isRichmond.[2] The county was organized November 16, 1820, and named for John Ray, a Missouri state legislator and member of the first state Constitutional Convention.[3]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 569 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 5.4 square miles (14 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 2,657 | — | |
| 1840 | 6,553 | 146.6% | |
| 1850 | 10,373 | 58.3% | |
| 1860 | 14,092 | 35.9% | |
| 1870 | 18,700 | 32.7% | |
| 1880 | 20,190 | 8.0% | |
| 1890 | 24,215 | 19.9% | |
| 1900 | 24,805 | 2.4% | |
| 1910 | 21,451 | −13.5% | |
| 1920 | 20,508 | −4.4% | |
| 1930 | 19,846 | −3.2% | |
| 1940 | 18,584 | −6.4% | |
| 1950 | 15,932 | −14.3% | |
| 1960 | 16,075 | 0.9% | |
| 1970 | 17,599 | 9.5% | |
| 1980 | 21,378 | 21.5% | |
| 1990 | 21,971 | 2.8% | |
| 2000 | 23,354 | 6.3% | |
| 2010 | 23,494 | 0.6% | |
| 2020 | 23,158 | −1.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010-2015[9] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 23,158. The median age was 42.3 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.3 males.[10]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.2% White, 1.0%Black or African American, 0.6%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 6.0% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.[11]
25.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 74.1% lived in rural areas.[12]
There were 9,081 households in the county, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10]
There were 9,842 housing units, of which 7.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.1% were owner-occupied and 22.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.3%.[12]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[13] | Pop 1990[14] | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 20,864 | 21,410 | 22,384 | 22,338 | 20,893 | 97.60% | 97.45% | 95.85% | 95.08% | 90.22% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 313 | 296 | 340 | 265 | 227 | 1.46% | 1.35% | 1.46% | 1.13% | 0.98% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 60 | 109 | 80 | 114 | 133 | 0.28% | 0.50% | 0.34% | 0.49% | 0.57% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 43 | 33 | 43 | 60 | 76 | 0.20% | 0.15% | 0.18% | 0.26% | 0.33% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[18] | x[19] | 1 | 15 | 8 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 4 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 53 | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 240 | 284 | 1,188 | x | x | 1.03% | 1.21% | 5.13% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 94 | 119 | 253 | 415 | 580 | 0.44% | 0.54% | 1.08% | 1.77% | 2.50% |
| Total | 21,378 | 21,971 | 23,354 | 23,494 | 23,158 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2000 census[22], there were 23,354 people, 8,743 households, and 6,539 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 9,371 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.50%White, 1.46%Black orAfrican American, 0.36%Native American, 0.19%Asian, 0.36% fromother races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.08% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 29.6% were ofAmerican, 23.3%German, 11.5%English and 10.3%Irish ancestry.
There were 8,743 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.10% weremarried couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,886, and the median income for a family was $49,192. Males had a median income of $36,815 versus $21,684 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,685. About 5.30% of families and 6.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
School districts including any part of the county, no matter how slight, include:[23]
On January 1, 2025, the Ray County Jail was closed after newly electedSheriff Gary Blackwell, due to "safety and security concerns."[25][26] Inmates where sent to facilities in neighboringHarrison andLafayette counties, as well as the Daviess-Dekalb Regional Jail.[25]
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Politics at the local level in Ray County are now evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans making major gains in the past four election cycles, going from no representation before 2011 to now holding half of the county offices.
| Ray County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Kent Wollard | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Carolyne Conner | Democratic | |
| County Clerk | Glenda Powell | Republican | |
| Collector | Julie Chowning | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Gary Wilhite | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Allen Dale | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Jerry Bishop | Republican | |
| Coroner | Bart Willem | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Camille Johnston | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Shannon Wollard | Republican | |
| Recorder | Shirley O’Dell | Democratic | |
| Sheriff | Gary Blackwell | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Thomas Sisco | Democratic | |
| Treasurer | Melissa Holloway | Independent | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 72.05%8,256 | 25.67%2,942 | 2.28%261 |
| 2020 | 68.93%7,964 | 28.38%3,279 | 2.68%310 |
| 2016 | 52.51%5,686 | 43.58%4,719 | 3.91%423 |
| 2012 | 41.26%4,252 | 55.53%5,722 | 3.21%331 |
| 2008 | 35.73%3,899 | 61.13%6,670 | 3.14%343 |
| 2004 | 47.08%5,073 | 51.33%5,531 | 1.59%172 |
| 2000 | 41.75%4,045 | 55.81%5,407 | 2.44%237 |
| 1996 | 28.31%2,475 | 69.26%6,055 | 2.43%212 |
| 1992 | 37.6%3,578 | 62.4%5,937 | N/A |
| 1988 | 56.26%4,859 | 43.01%3,714 | 0.73%63 |
The northwest corner of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 8th District in theMissouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Jim Neely (R-Cameron).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James W. (Jim) Neely | 1,294 | 100.00% | +32.60 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James W. (Jim) Neely | 548 | 67.40% | +12.22 | |
| Democratic | Ted Rights | 265 | 32.60% | −12.22 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James W. (Jim) Neely | 788 | 55.18% | ||
| Democratic | James T. (Jim) Crenshaw | 640 | 44.82% | ||
Most of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 39th District in theMissouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Joe Don McGaugh (R-Carrollton).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Don McGaugh | 7,741 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Don McGaugh | 4,583 | 100.00% | +50.64 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joe Don McGaugh | 4,176 | 49.36% | ||
| Democratic | Will Talbert | 4,285 | 50.64% | ||
All of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Denny Hoskins | 6,408 | 61.80% | +4.37 | |
| Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 3,346 | 32.27% | −4.99 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Wayne | 615 | 5.93% | +0.62 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Pearce | 5,679 | 57.43% | ||
| Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 3,684 | 37.26% | ||
| Libertarian | Steven Hedrick | 525 | 5.31% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 5,415 | 50.10% | +11.60 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 4,725 | 43.71% | −9.16 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 390 | 3.61% | −5.02 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 119 | 1.10% | +1.10 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 159 | 1.47% | +1.47 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 3,960 | 38.50% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 5,439 | 52.87% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 888 | 8.63% | ||
All of Ray County is included inMissouri's 5th Congressional District, which is currently represented byEmanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) in theUnited States House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emanuel Cleaver | 4,394 | 41.10% | +1.71 | |
| Republican | Jacob Turk | 5,895 | 55.14% | −0.42 | |
| Libertarian | Roy Welborn | 402 | 3.76% | −1.29 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emanuel Cleaver | 2,506 | 39.39% | −7.66 | |
| Republican | Jacob Turk | 3,535 | 55.56% | +6.16 | |
| Libertarian | Roy Welborn | 321 | 5.05% | +1.50 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emanuel Cleaver | 4,778 | 47.05% | ||
| Republican | Jacob Turk | 5,017 | 49.40% | ||
| Libertarian | Randy Langkraehr | 361 | 3.55 | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,796 | 35.17% | 3,181 | 62.29% | 130 | 2.55% |
| 1892 | 1,643 | 32.29% | 3,250 | 63.86% | 196 | 3.85% |
| 1896 | 2,003 | 33.31% | 3,945 | 65.60% | 66 | 1.10% |
| 1900 | 2,004 | 35.02% | 3,631 | 63.46% | 87 | 1.52% |
| 1904 | 1,792 | 38.86% | 2,744 | 59.51% | 75 | 1.63% |
| 1908 | 1,914 | 37.74% | 3,043 | 60.00% | 115 | 2.27% |
| 1912 | 1,192 | 24.18% | 3,042 | 61.70% | 696 | 14.12% |
| 1916 | 1,718 | 33.28% | 3,380 | 65.47% | 65 | 1.26% |
| 1920 | 3,228 | 39.53% | 4,865 | 59.58% | 72 | 0.88% |
| 1924 | 2,753 | 34.24% | 4,989 | 62.04% | 299 | 3.72% |
| 1928 | 3,280 | 41.70% | 4,570 | 58.10% | 16 | 0.20% |
| 1932 | 1,706 | 21.74% | 6,088 | 77.59% | 52 | 0.66% |
| 1936 | 2,805 | 30.74% | 6,300 | 69.05% | 19 | 0.21% |
| 1940 | 3,399 | 36.94% | 5,786 | 62.88% | 16 | 0.17% |
| 1944 | 3,094 | 40.57% | 4,521 | 59.28% | 12 | 0.16% |
| 1948 | 2,102 | 30.30% | 4,826 | 69.57% | 9 | 0.13% |
| 1952 | 3,349 | 40.64% | 4,869 | 59.09% | 22 | 0.27% |
| 1956 | 3,041 | 39.61% | 4,636 | 60.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,542 | 43.69% | 4,565 | 56.31% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,734 | 25.05% | 5,189 | 74.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,587 | 35.90% | 3,541 | 49.14% | 1,078 | 14.96% |
| 1972 | 4,205 | 59.65% | 2,844 | 40.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,853 | 33.72% | 5,535 | 65.42% | 73 | 0.86% |
| 1980 | 4,064 | 45.81% | 4,518 | 50.93% | 289 | 3.26% |
| 1984 | 4,875 | 55.06% | 3,979 | 44.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 3,763 | 43.44% | 4,879 | 56.33% | 20 | 0.23% |
| 1992 | 2,563 | 26.64% | 4,457 | 46.33% | 2,600 | 27.03% |
| 1996 | 2,884 | 32.82% | 4,714 | 53.65% | 1,189 | 13.53% |
| 2000 | 4,517 | 46.34% | 4,970 | 50.99% | 260 | 2.67% |
| 2004 | 5,673 | 52.59% | 5,034 | 46.66% | 81 | 0.75% |
| 2008 | 5,593 | 50.60% | 5,241 | 47.42% | 219 | 1.98% |
| 2012 | 5,815 | 56.09% | 4,275 | 41.24% | 277 | 2.67% |
| 2016 | 7,104 | 64.91% | 3,090 | 28.23% | 751 | 6.86% |
| 2020 | 8,345 | 71.48% | 3,109 | 26.63% | 221 | 1.89% |
| 2024 | 8,602 | 73.53% | 2,927 | 25.02% | 170 | 1.45% |
Places adjacent to Ray County, Missouri | |
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Municipalities and communities ofRay County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
39°21′N93°59′W / 39.35°N 93.99°W /39.35; -93.99
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