Shannon County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Shannon County courthouse in Eminence | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:37°10′N91°24′W / 37.16°N 91.4°W /37.16; -91.4 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 29, 1841 |
| Named after | George Shannon |
| Seat | Eminence |
| Largest city | Winona |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,004 sq mi (2,600 km2) |
| • Land | 1,004 sq mi (2,600 km2) |
| • Water | 0.2 sq mi (0.52 km2) 0.02% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,031 |
| • Density | 7.003/sq mi (2.704/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Website | www |
Shannon County is acounty in the southern portion of the U.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 7,031.[1] Itscounty seat isEminence.[2] The county was officially organized on January 29, 1841, and was named in honor ofGeorge F. "Peg-Leg" Shannon, a member of theLewis and Clark Expedition.[3] It is the second-largest county by area in Missouri.
Missouri's first copper mine was opened in Shannon County in 1846 and Missouri's onlymanganese mine was opened here duringWorld War II.
As of the2000 census, Shannon County ranked 78th on thelist of counties with the lowest per capita income and 46th on the list of counties with the lowest median household incomes in the United States, making it the poorest county in Missouri.
The GreatTri-State Tornado of March 18, 1925, appears to have begun inMoore Township; most likely as constituenttornadoes of atornado family preceding the infamous very long track tornado that went on to kill 695 people across southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwestern Indiana over the next several hours.[4]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,004 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 1,004 square miles (2,600 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.02%) is water.[5]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,199 | — | |
| 1860 | 2,284 | 90.5% | |
| 1870 | 2,339 | 2.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,441 | 47.1% | |
| 1890 | 8,898 | 158.6% | |
| 1900 | 11,247 | 26.4% | |
| 1910 | 11,443 | 1.7% | |
| 1920 | 11,865 | 3.7% | |
| 1930 | 10,894 | −8.2% | |
| 1940 | 11,831 | 8.6% | |
| 1950 | 8,377 | −29.2% | |
| 1960 | 7,087 | −15.4% | |
| 1970 | 7,196 | 1.5% | |
| 1980 | 7,885 | 9.6% | |
| 1990 | 7,613 | −3.4% | |
| 2000 | 8,324 | 9.3% | |
| 2010 | 8,441 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 7,031 | −16.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8] 1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[10] | |||
As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 8,324 people, 3,319 households, and 2,356 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 3,862 housing units at an average density of 1/km2 (2.6/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 95.05%White, 0.17%Black orAfrican American, 1.83%Native American, 0.05%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.19% fromother races, and 2.69% from two or more races. Approximately 0.93% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Shannon County were 38.3% American, 13.4% Irish, 11.8% German, and 9.7% English.
There were 3,319 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $24,835, and the median income for a family was $30,102. Males had a median income of $21,917 versus $16,024 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,127. About 21.00% of families and 26.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.10% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Shannon County is a part of theBible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Shannon County who adhere to a religion areSouthern Baptists (56.22%),Methodists (12.03%), andChristian Churches & Churches of Christ (10.84%).
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 6,451 | 91.7% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 3 | 0.04% |
| Native American (NH) | 37 | 0.53% |
| Asian (NH) | 13 | 0.18% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 0 | 0% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 386 | 5.5% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 141 | 2% |
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(July 2021) |
TheRepublican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Shannon County. Republicans hold eleven of the elected positions in the county.
| Shannon County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Jimile Voyles | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Melany Williams | Democratic | |
| County Clerk | Shelly Bland | Republican | |
| Collector | Susie Needels | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Beth (Stewart) Long | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Vester Crider | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Herman Kelly | Republican | |
| Coroner | Allen Ford | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | William Seay | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Teresa Acord | Republican | |
| Recorder | Melany Williams | Democratic | |
| Sheriff | Steven Hogan | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Robert Ross | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Michelle Shedd | Republican | |
In theMissouri House of Representatives, all of Shannon County is a part of Missouri's 143rd District and is currently represented by Jeff Pogue, (R-Salem).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeffrey Pogue | 3,057 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeffrey Pogue | 1,240 | 100.00% | +55.92 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeffrey Pogue | 1,624 | 44.08% | ||
| Democratic | Shane Van Steenis | 2,060 | 55.92% | ||
In theMissouri Senate, all of Shannon County is a part of Missouri's 25th District and is currently represented by Doug Libla, (R-Poplar Bluff).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doug Libla | 2,570 | 69.97% | +19.81 | |
| Democratic | Bill Burlison | 1,103 | 30.03% | −19.81 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doug Libla | 1,772 | 50.16% | ||
| Democratic | Terry Swinger | 1,761 | 49.84% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,436 | 62.85% | +21.38 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,234 | 31.84% | −20.40 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 98 | 2.53% | −3.76 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 53 | 1.37% | +1.37 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 55 | 1.42% | +1.42 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 1,536 | 41.47% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,935 | 52.24% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 233 | 6.29% | ||
Shannon 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 | 2,865 | 75.73% | +7.23 | |
| Democratic | Dave Cowell | 816 | 21.57% | −0.36 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Shell | 102 | 2.70% | +1.06 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason T. Smith | 1,131 | 68.50% | +8.92 | |
| Democratic | Barbara Stocker | 362 | 21.93% | −8.63 | |
| Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 27 | 1.64% | −0.69 | |
| Constitution | Doug Enyart | 43 | 2.60% | −4.93 | |
| Independent | Terry Hampton | 88 | 5.33% | +5.33 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason T. Smith | 538 | 59.58% | −12.68 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hodges | 276 | 30.56% | +6.91 | |
| Constitution | Doug Enyart | 68 | 7.53% | +7.53 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Slantz | 21 | 2.33% | −1.76 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jo Ann Emerson | 2,652 | 72.26% | ||
| Democratic | Jack Rushin | 868 | 23.65% | ||
| Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 150 | 4.09% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 423 | 33.02% | 828 | 64.64% | 30 | 2.34% |
| 1892 | 541 | 34.05% | 1,005 | 63.25% | 43 | 2.71% |
| 1896 | 689 | 36.65% | 1,186 | 63.09% | 5 | 0.27% |
| 1900 | 716 | 35.22% | 1,279 | 62.91% | 38 | 1.87% |
| 1904 | 697 | 39.67% | 1,006 | 57.26% | 54 | 3.07% |
| 1908 | 849 | 40.94% | 1,151 | 55.50% | 74 | 3.57% |
| 1912 | 385 | 18.38% | 1,110 | 52.98% | 600 | 28.64% |
| 1916 | 788 | 36.58% | 1,213 | 56.31% | 153 | 7.10% |
| 1920 | 1,639 | 48.62% | 1,661 | 49.27% | 71 | 2.11% |
| 1924 | 1,174 | 34.38% | 2,107 | 61.70% | 134 | 3.92% |
| 1928 | 1,542 | 44.62% | 1,884 | 54.51% | 30 | 0.87% |
| 1932 | 879 | 22.40% | 2,949 | 75.15% | 96 | 2.45% |
| 1936 | 1,225 | 28.17% | 3,069 | 70.57% | 55 | 1.26% |
| 1940 | 1,589 | 35.93% | 2,806 | 63.44% | 28 | 0.63% |
| 1944 | 1,110 | 34.54% | 2,093 | 65.12% | 11 | 0.34% |
| 1948 | 805 | 25.36% | 2,352 | 74.10% | 17 | 0.54% |
| 1952 | 1,291 | 38.80% | 2,028 | 60.96% | 8 | 0.24% |
| 1956 | 1,171 | 39.12% | 1,822 | 60.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,429 | 50.76% | 1,386 | 49.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 904 | 28.11% | 2,312 | 71.89% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,048 | 38.67% | 1,216 | 44.87% | 446 | 16.46% |
| 1972 | 1,623 | 58.87% | 1,134 | 41.13% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 989 | 33.29% | 1,960 | 65.97% | 22 | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 1,523 | 44.78% | 1,818 | 53.45% | 60 | 1.76% |
| 1984 | 1,779 | 52.96% | 1,580 | 47.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,696 | 48.46% | 1,796 | 51.31% | 8 | 0.23% |
| 1992 | 1,224 | 30.97% | 2,135 | 54.02% | 593 | 15.01% |
| 1996 | 1,339 | 35.27% | 1,882 | 49.58% | 575 | 15.15% |
| 2000 | 2,245 | 59.38% | 1,430 | 37.82% | 106 | 2.80% |
| 2004 | 2,511 | 60.26% | 1,618 | 38.83% | 38 | 0.91% |
| 2008 | 2,075 | 54.06% | 1,637 | 42.65% | 126 | 3.28% |
| 2012 | 2,262 | 61.27% | 1,302 | 35.27% | 128 | 3.47% |
| 2016 | 2,966 | 75.97% | 776 | 19.88% | 162 | 4.15% |
| 2020 | 3,165 | 81.03% | 706 | 18.07% | 35 | 0.90% |
| 2024 | 3,364 | 83.72% | 625 | 15.56% | 29 | 0.72% |
At the presidential level, Shannon County was a Democratic stronghold from its founding in 1841 through1996 (owing to pro-Confederate sentiment in the county), voting Republican only in1960, forNixon overKennedy, and in Nixon's1972 andReagan's1984 landslides in this period.[16] In2000,George W. Bush became only the fourth Republican to carry the county, despite narrowly losing the national popular vote, and got a higher vote share than any of the three Republicans to carry the county previously. As of2020, the county has voted Republican for six straight elections, with the Republican vote share increasing in every election save2008, whenMcCain fell six points from Bush's2004 level.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Shannon County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles. In 2004, Missourians voted ona constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Shannon County with 85.64 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 Shannon County with 55.87 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 Shannon 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 Shannon County with 74.62 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 Shannon 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 914, than any candidate from either party in Shannon County during the 2008 presidential primary.
Of adults 25 years of age and older, 44.9% possesses ahigh school diploma or higher while 9.6% holds abachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.
Places adjacent to Shannon County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofShannon County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
