Reynolds County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 The antebellum county courthouse in Centerville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°22′N90°58′W / 37.36°N 90.97°W /37.36; -90.97 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | February 25, 1845; 180 years ago |
| Named after | Thomas Reynolds |
| Seat | Centerville |
| Largest city | Ellington |
| Area | |
• Total | 814 sq mi (2,110 km2) |
| • Land | 808 sq mi (2,090 km2) |
| • Water | 5.9 sq mi (15 km2) 0.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,096 |
| • Density | 7.54/sq mi (2.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
Reynolds County is acounty located in the Ozark Foothills Region in theLead Belt ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 6,096.[1] Itscounty seat isCenterville.[2] The county was officially organized on February 25, 1845, and was named in honor of formerGovernor of MissouriThomas Reynolds.[3]
The county is home toJohnson's Shut-Ins State Park, a popular tourist attraction in the state of Missouri.
Reynolds County was officially organized on February 25, 1845. It is still an area of rugged beauty near the geologic center of the Ozark Highland. Reynolds County was formerly part ofRipley County which was formed in 1831 and part ofWayne County which was formed in 1818. It was also previously part ofWashington County and part ofSte. Genevieve County.
The Reynolds County Courthouse has burned twice. The first time was in December 1863 when the Confederate army burned it. A new courthouse was built in the fall of 1867 on the same foundation as the previous one. This courthouse was burned in late November 1871. Both times all records were destroyed. Temporary quarters again burned May 27, 1872, while a new "fireproof" courthouse was being built.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 814 square miles (2,110 km2), of which 808 square miles (2,090 km2) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,849 | — | |
| 1860 | 3,173 | 71.6% | |
| 1870 | 3,756 | 18.4% | |
| 1880 | 5,722 | 52.3% | |
| 1890 | 6,803 | 18.9% | |
| 1900 | 8,161 | 20.0% | |
| 1910 | 9,592 | 17.5% | |
| 1920 | 10,106 | 5.4% | |
| 1930 | 8,923 | −11.7% | |
| 1940 | 9,370 | 5.0% | |
| 1950 | 6,918 | −26.2% | |
| 1960 | 5,161 | −25.4% | |
| 1970 | 6,106 | 18.3% | |
| 1980 | 7,230 | 18.4% | |
| 1990 | 6,661 | −7.9% | |
| 2000 | 6,689 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 6,696 | 0.1% | |
| 2020 | 6,096 | −9.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010-2015[9] | |||
As of thecensus[10] of 2000, there were 6,689 people, 2,721 households, and 1,915 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 3,759 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.65%White, 0.52%Black orAfrican American, 1.29%Native American, 0.19%Asian, 0.21% fromother races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Approximately 0.82% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Reynolds County were 37.6%American, 12.1%Irish, 11.6%German, and 11.4%English.
There were 2,721 households, out of which 27.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% weremarried couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,546, and the median income for a family was $37,891. Males had a median income of $26,753 versus $18,322 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,847. About 16.10% of families and 20.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.90% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Reynolds County is a part of theBible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Reynolds County who adhere to a religion areSouthern Baptists (78.80%),Baptist Missionary Association of America (8.24%), andMethodists (4.24%).
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,669 | 93% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 33 | 0.54% |
| Native American (NH) | 23 | 0.38% |
| Asian (NH) | 18 | 0.3% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 2 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 252 | 4.13% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 99 | 1.62% |
TheDemocratic Party has the most elected officials at the local level in Reynolds.
| Reynolds County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Rick Parker | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Brandi Freeman | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Mike Harper | Democratic | |
| Collector | Denise Smith | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Joe Loyd | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Larry Pogue Jr. | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Eddie Williams | Democratic | |
| Coroner | Jeffrey N. McSpadden | Democratic | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Ginger Joyner | Democratic | |
| Public Administrator | Mallory Fox | Democratic | |
| Recorder | Myra Turner | Democratic | |
| Sheriff | Caleb McCoy | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Ronald Schwarz | Democratic | |
| Treasurer | Wanda Corder | Democratic | |
Reynolds County is divided into two legislative districts in theMissouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeffrey Pogue | 287 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeffrey Pogue | 161 | 100.00% | +36.44 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeffrey Pogue | 225 | 63.56% | ||
| Democratic | Shane Van Steenis | 129 | 36.44% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Fitzwater | 2,266 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Fitzwater | 1,167 | 100.00% | +36.75 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Fitzwater | 1,761 | 63.25% | ||
| Democratic | Michael L. Jackson | 1,023 | 36.75% | ||
All of Reynolds County is a part of the 3rd District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byGary Romine (R-Farmington).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gary Romine | 2,308 | 86.73% | +26.93 | |
| Green | Edward R. Weissler | 353 | 13.27% | +13.27 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gary Romine | 1,791 | 59.80% | ||
| Democratic | Joseph Fallert, Jr. | 1,204 | 40.20% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 82.09%2,424 | 15.81%467 | 2.10%62 |
| 2020 | 77.72%2,501 | 19.67%633 | 2.61%84 |
| 2016 | 66.30%1,969 | 29.59%879 | 4.11%122 |
| 2012 | 39.43%1,239 | 57.13%1,795 | 3.44%108 |
| 2008 | 37.73%1,223 | 58.65%1,901 | 3.61%117 |
| 2004 | 53.61%1,746 | 45.13%1,470 | 1.25%41 |
| 2000 | 46.29%1,416 | 48.38%1,480 | 5.33%163 |
| 1996 | 30.81%886 | 66.93%1,925 | 2.26%65 |
| 1992 | 32.39%1,034 | 67.61%2,158 | 0.00%0 |
| 1988 | 50.45%1,528 | 49.19%1,490 | 0.36%11 |
| 1984 | 39.46%1,308 | 60.54%2,007 | 0.00%0 |
| 1980 | 43.02%1,389 | 56.89%1,837 | 0.09%3 |
| 1976 | 39.71%1,175 | 60.19%1,781 | 0.10%3 |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 259 | 23.06% | 862 | 76.76% | 2 | 0.18% |
| 1892 | 281 | 23.55% | 903 | 75.69% | 9 | 0.75% |
| 1896 | 385 | 27.44% | 1,015 | 72.34% | 3 | 0.21% |
| 1900 | 451 | 30.45% | 1,027 | 69.35% | 3 | 0.20% |
| 1904 | 505 | 36.23% | 877 | 62.91% | 12 | 0.86% |
| 1908 | 544 | 33.13% | 1,052 | 64.07% | 46 | 2.80% |
| 1912 | 367 | 22.19% | 1,030 | 62.27% | 257 | 15.54% |
| 1916 | 592 | 32.02% | 1,209 | 65.39% | 48 | 2.60% |
| 1920 | 1,173 | 38.51% | 1,837 | 60.31% | 36 | 1.18% |
| 1924 | 873 | 32.05% | 1,822 | 66.89% | 29 | 1.06% |
| 1928 | 1,247 | 43.99% | 1,582 | 55.80% | 6 | 0.21% |
| 1932 | 792 | 24.35% | 2,439 | 75.00% | 21 | 0.65% |
| 1936 | 915 | 26.94% | 2,476 | 72.91% | 5 | 0.15% |
| 1940 | 1,187 | 32.97% | 2,406 | 66.83% | 7 | 0.19% |
| 1944 | 951 | 33.57% | 1,877 | 66.25% | 5 | 0.18% |
| 1948 | 692 | 25.18% | 2,050 | 74.60% | 6 | 0.22% |
| 1952 | 949 | 30.82% | 2,124 | 68.98% | 6 | 0.19% |
| 1956 | 917 | 36.49% | 1,596 | 63.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,139 | 52.18% | 1,044 | 47.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 530 | 22.41% | 1,835 | 77.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 898 | 34.79% | 1,245 | 48.24% | 438 | 16.97% |
| 1972 | 1,541 | 59.91% | 1,031 | 40.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 879 | 29.01% | 2,143 | 70.73% | 8 | 0.26% |
| 1980 | 1,271 | 39.11% | 1,919 | 59.05% | 60 | 1.85% |
| 1984 | 1,330 | 39.63% | 2,026 | 60.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,162 | 38.29% | 1,864 | 61.42% | 9 | 0.30% |
| 1992 | 776 | 23.34% | 2,014 | 60.57% | 535 | 16.09% |
| 1996 | 903 | 30.51% | 1,631 | 55.10% | 426 | 14.39% |
| 2000 | 1,762 | 56.28% | 1,298 | 41.46% | 71 | 2.27% |
| 2004 | 1,896 | 56.36% | 1,449 | 43.07% | 19 | 0.56% |
| 2008 | 1,782 | 54.21% | 1,418 | 43.14% | 87 | 2.65% |
| 2012 | 1,931 | 60.31% | 1,157 | 36.13% | 114 | 3.56% |
| 2016 | 2,406 | 79.20% | 540 | 17.77% | 92 | 3.03% |
| 2020 | 2,733 | 82.87% | 529 | 16.04% | 36 | 1.09% |
| 2024 | 2,560 | 83.69% | 472 | 15.43% | 27 | 0.88% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 1,780 | 60.56% | +21.17 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,009 | 34.33% | −19.37 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 71 | 2.42% | −4.50 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 41 | 1.40% | +1.40 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 38 | 1.29% | +1.29 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 1,247 | 39.39% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,700 | 53.70% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 219 | 6.92% | ||
Reynolds County is included inMissouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented byJason T. Smith (R-Salem) in theU.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term ofU.S. RepresentativeJo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason T. Smith | 2,236 | 77.34% | +11.95 | |
| Democratic | Dave Cowell | 587 | 20.30% | −6.20 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Shell | 68 | 2.35% | +1.07 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason T. Smith | 1,024 | 65.39% | +15.31 | |
| Democratic | Barbara Stocker | 415 | 26.50% | −3.62 | |
| Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 20 | 1.28 | −0.02 | |
| Constitution | Doug Enyart | 54 | 3.45% | +3.45 | |
| Independent | Terry Hampton | 53 | 3.38% | +3.38 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason T. Smith | 451 | 64.99% | −7.85 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hodges | 209 | 30.12% | +5.14 | |
| Constitution | Doug Enyart | 25 | 3.60% | +3.60 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Slantz | 9 | 1.30% | −0.88 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jo Ann Emerson | 2,301 | 72.84% | ||
| Democratic | Jack Rushin | 789 | 24.98% | ||
| Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 69 | 2.18% | ||
At the presidential level, Reynolds County was a Democratic stronghold from its founding in 1845 through1996; its only Republican votes (or indeed votes for any but the Democratic nominee) in this period were forRichard Nixon in1960 and then again for Nixon in his1972 landslide.[14] In2000,George W. Bush carried the county for the Republican Party for only the third time ever, despite his narrow national popular vote defeat that year. The county has voted Republican in every subsequent election as of2020, with the Republican vote share declining only in2008. The Republican vote share has not been held below 60% since 2008.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Reynolds County generally adhere to socially and culturallyconservative principles but are more moderate orpopulist on economic issues, typical of theDixiecrat philosophy. In 2004, Missourians voted ona constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Reynolds County with 85.41 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 Reynolds County with 54.15 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 Reynolds 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 Reynolds County with 77.50 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 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.
In the 2008 presidential primary, voters in Reynolds County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally. FormerU.S. SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 741, than any candidate from either party in Reynolds County during the 2008 presidential primary. She also received more votes than the total number of votes cast in the entire Republican Primary in Reynolds County.
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Reynolds County, 40.4% possesses ahigh school diploma or higher while 10.0% holds abachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.
Places adjacent to Reynolds County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofReynolds County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
