Bates County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Bates County Courthouse in Butler | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:38°16′N94°20′W / 38.26°N 94.34°W /38.26; -94.34 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 29, 1841[1] |
| Named after | Frederick Bates |
| Seat | Butler |
| Largest city | Butler |
| Area | |
• Total | 851 sq mi (2,200 km2) |
| • Land | 837 sq mi (2,170 km2) |
| • Water | 15 sq mi (39 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,042 |
| • Density | 19.2/sq mi (7.40/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | www |
Bates County is acounty located in the west central part of theU.S. state ofMissouri, two counties south of the Missouri River and is part of theKansas City metropolitan area. As of the2020 census, the population was 16,042.[2] Itscounty seat isButler.[3] The county was organized in 1841 and named afterFrederick Bates, the secondGovernor of Missouri.[4]
This mostly rural county has an overwhelmingly ethnic European-American population, which has declined in number since the early 20th century as people have moved to cities.
The borderlands of Kansas and Missouri were battlegrounds for insurgents during theAmerican Civil War, with raids going back and forth across the border. Bates County is noted as the site for the first combat engagement during the war of African-American soldiers serving with the Union and against Confederate forces, which occurred on October 28–29, 1862. The First Kansas Colored Division (part of the state militia) fought Confederate guerrillas at theBattle of Island Mound four miles north of present-dayRich Hill, Missouri, and the Union forces won.
The Kansas soldiers were badly outnumbered but stood their ground, fighting valiantly. The skirmish was covered byThe New York Times, which noted the men's bravery at a time when many people questioned whether former slaves could make good soldiers.[5] Their heroic action preceded President Abraham Lincoln's announcement of theEmancipation Proclamation in January 1863 and establishment of theUnited States Colored Troops.
Following a massacre of men and boys and the burning ofLawrence, Kansas, by Confederate bushwhackers in the summer of 1863, the United States GeneralEwing ordered the evacuation of the civilian population from rural areas of Bates and nearby counties except for within a mile of certain Union-controlled cities, in order to cut off sources of support for Confederate insurgents. This was done underOrder No. 11. The county had been a base of Confederateguerrillas. But, Ewing's order generated outrage and added to support of guerrillas in some areas.
This mostly rural county continued to support agriculture in the decades after the Civil War. Since the early 20th century, population has declined as people have moved to cities for work.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 851 square miles (2,200 km2), of which 837 square miles (2,170 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (1.7%) is water.[8]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 3,669 | — | |
| 1860 | 7,215 | 96.6% | |
| 1870 | 15,960 | 121.2% | |
| 1880 | 25,381 | 59.0% | |
| 1890 | 32,223 | 27.0% | |
| 1900 | 30,141 | −6.5% | |
| 1910 | 25,869 | −14.2% | |
| 1920 | 23,933 | −7.5% | |
| 1930 | 22,068 | −7.8% | |
| 1940 | 19,531 | −11.5% | |
| 1950 | 17,534 | −10.2% | |
| 1960 | 15,905 | −9.3% | |
| 1970 | 15,468 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 15,873 | 2.6% | |
| 1990 | 15,025 | −5.3% | |
| 2000 | 16,653 | 10.8% | |
| 2010 | 17,049 | 2.4% | |
| 2020 | 16,042 | −5.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[2] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 14,799 | 92.3% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 155 | 1% |
| Native American (NH) | 92 | 0.6% |
| Asian (NH) | 48 | 0.3% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 9 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 604 | 3.81% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 335 | 2.1% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 16,042. The median age was 42.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.6 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]
The racial makeup of the county was 92.3%White (non-Hispanic alone), 1.0%Black or African American (non-Hispanic alone), 0.6%Native American (non-Hispanic alone), 0.3%Asian (non-Hispanic alone), 0.06%Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic alone), and 3.81% fromother or multiple races (non-Hispanic).Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.[16]
There were 6,391 households in the county, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17]
There were 7,189 housing units, of which 11.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.3% were owner-occupied and 25.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.0%.[17]
As of thecensus[18] of 2000, there were 16,653 people, 6,511 households, and 4,557 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 7,247 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.33%White, 0.61%Black orAfrican American, 0.59%Native American, 0.15%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.39% fromother races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Approximately 1.07% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 6,511 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% weremarried couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,731, and the median income for a family was $36,470. Males had a median income of $30,298 versus $19,772 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,477. About 11.50% of families and 14.50% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Bates County is regarded as being a part of theBible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Bates County who adhere to a religion areSouthern Baptists (34.21%),United Methodists (15.78%), andChristian Churches and Churches of Christ (14.48%).
K-12 school districts covering any part of the county, no matter how slight, include:[19]
There is one elementary school district,Hudson R-IX School District.[19]
Metropolitan Community College has all parts of the county (except those in the Appleton City R-II School District) in its out of district service area, but not its in-district taxation area.[22]
Politics are divided at the local level in Bates County.Republicans hold a majority of the elected positions in the county.
| Bates County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Carl Bettels | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Shelli White | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Jami Page | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Jim Wheatley | Republican | |
| Commissioner (northern district) | Ken Mooney | Republican | |
| Commissioner (southern district) | Trent Nelson | Republican | |
| Coroner | Greg Mullinax | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Hugh C. Jenkins | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Brenda Doody | Democratic | |
| Recorder | Danyelle Baker | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Chad Anderson | Republican | |
| Surveyor | W.C. “Bill” Lethcho | Democratic | |
| Treasurer/Collector | Jimmy Platt | Democratic | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78.50%6,402 | 19.67%1,604 | 1.83%149 |
| 2020 | 76.70%6,410 | 21.08%1,762 | 2.21%185 |
| 2016 | 59.64%4,772 | 37.36%2,989 | 3.00%240 |
| 2012 | 45.46%3,513 | 51.40%3,972 | 3.14%243 |
| 2008 | 41.75%3,431 | 55.43%4,555 | 2.82%232 |
| 2004 | 53.22%4,479 | 45.09%3,795 | 1.69%142 |
| 2000 | 48.88%3,783 | 49.02%3,794 | 2.10%162 |
| 1996 | 34.70%2,483 | 63.33%4,531 | 1.97%141 |
| 1992 | 42.06%3,204 | 57.94%4,414 | 0.00%0 |
Bates County is split between three legislative districts in theMissouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Michael Davis | 244 | 71.98% | −28.02 | |
| Democratic | Neal Barnes | 95 | 28.02% | +28.02 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Bondon | 200 | 100.00% | +25.33 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rodger Reedy | 438 | 100.00% | +29.83 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rodger Reedy | 254 | 70.17% | −1.80 | |
| Democratic | Joan Shores | 108 | 29.83% | +1.80 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Patricia Pike | 5,850 | 78.42% | +6.72 | |
| Democratic | Jim Hogan | 1,610 | 21.58% | −4.87 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Patricia Pike | 4,332 | 71.70% | −28.30 | |
| Democratic | Jim Hogan | 1,598 | 26.45% | +26.45 | |
| Constitution | Stephen Biles | 112 | 1.85% | +1.85 | |
All of Bates County is a part of Missouri's 31st Senatorial District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented by Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Rick Brattin | 6.323 | 77.76% | +6.74 | |
| Democratic | Raymond Kinney | 1,808 | 22.24% | +22.24 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ed Emery | 5,373 | 71.02% | +9.57 | |
| Independent | Tim Wells | 1,459 | 19.29% | ||
| Libertarian | Lora Young | 733 | 9.69% | +9.69 | |
All of Bates County is included inMissouri's 4th Congressional District and as of 2022 was 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 | '6,539 | 78.88% | +5.43 | |
| Democratic | Lindsey Simmons | 1,556 | 18.77% | −5.11 | |
| Libertarian | Steven K. Koonse | 195 | 2.35% | −0.32 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 4,893 | 73.45% | −0.24 | |
| Democratic | Renee Hoagenson | 1,591 | 23.88% | +1.83 | |
| Libertarian | Mark Bliss | 178 | 2.67% | −1.59 | |
Bates 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 | 4,467 | 66.82% | +23.37 | |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,906 | 28.51% | −19.76 | |
| Independent | Craig O'Dear | 183 | 2.74% | ||
| Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 89 | 1.33% | −6.95 | |
| Green | Jo Crain | 40 | 0.60% | +0.60 | |
Blunt was elected to a second term in2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of StateJason Kander.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 4,630 | 58.06% | +14.61 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 2,866 | 35.94% | −12.33 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 259 | 3.25% | −5.02 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 126 | 1.58% | +1.58 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 94 | 1.18% | +1.18 | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,674 | 38.07% | 3,556 | 50.63% | 794 | 11.30% |
| 1892 | 1,928 | 27.65% | 3,007 | 43.12% | 2,039 | 29.24% |
| 1896 | 2,522 | 32.63% | 5,073 | 65.64% | 133 | 1.72% |
| 1900 | 2,731 | 39.26% | 3,591 | 51.62% | 634 | 9.11% |
| 1904 | 2,956 | 47.11% | 2,967 | 47.28% | 352 | 5.61% |
| 1908 | 2,754 | 44.07% | 3,248 | 51.98% | 247 | 3.95% |
| 1912 | 1,383 | 22.95% | 3,057 | 50.72% | 1,587 | 26.33% |
| 1916 | 2,597 | 42.88% | 3,255 | 53.75% | 204 | 3.37% |
| 1920 | 5,039 | 51.91% | 4,433 | 45.66% | 236 | 2.43% |
| 1924 | 4,552 | 47.11% | 4,722 | 48.87% | 389 | 4.03% |
| 1928 | 6,133 | 62.70% | 3,594 | 36.74% | 54 | 0.55% |
| 1932 | 3,395 | 35.02% | 6,220 | 64.16% | 79 | 0.81% |
| 1936 | 5,022 | 46.60% | 5,681 | 52.71% | 74 | 0.69% |
| 1940 | 5,727 | 53.33% | 4,978 | 46.36% | 33 | 0.31% |
| 1944 | 5,122 | 55.46% | 4,096 | 44.35% | 18 | 0.19% |
| 1948 | 4,156 | 48.71% | 4,371 | 51.22% | 6 | 0.07% |
| 1952 | 6,002 | 60.03% | 3,995 | 39.95% | 2 | 0.02% |
| 1956 | 5,467 | 55.97% | 4,300 | 44.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 5,429 | 58.16% | 3,906 | 41.84% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,514 | 40.50% | 5,162 | 59.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,087 | 49.49% | 3,370 | 40.81% | 801 | 9.70% |
| 1972 | 5,314 | 63.76% | 3,020 | 36.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 3,350 | 43.60% | 4,288 | 55.80% | 46 | 0.60% |
| 1980 | 4,061 | 54.00% | 3,297 | 43.84% | 163 | 2.17% |
| 1984 | 4,223 | 59.38% | 2,889 | 40.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 3,574 | 51.57% | 3,332 | 48.08% | 24 | 0.35% |
| 1992 | 2,499 | 32.33% | 2,993 | 38.72% | 2,238 | 28.95% |
| 1996 | 2,904 | 40.69% | 3,224 | 45.17% | 1,009 | 14.14% |
| 2000 | 4,245 | 54.48% | 3,386 | 43.45% | 161 | 2.07% |
| 2004 | 5,004 | 59.11% | 3,398 | 40.14% | 64 | 0.76% |
| 2008 | 4,833 | 58.35% | 3,271 | 39.49% | 179 | 2.16% |
| 2012 | 5,020 | 64.60% | 2,557 | 32.90% | 194 | 2.50% |
| 2016 | 6,001 | 74.24% | 1,618 | 20.02% | 464 | 5.74% |
| 2020 | 6,597 | 78.18% | 1,672 | 19.82% | 169 | 2.00% |
| 2024 | 6,702 | 80.17% | 1,563 | 18.70% | 95 | 1.14% |
At the presidential level, Bates County has become solidly Republican in recent years. Bates County strongly favoredDonald Trump in both2016 and2020.Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Bates County in1996 with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election sinceJimmy Carter in1976.
Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Bates County generally adhere to socially and culturallyconservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings, at least on the state and national levels. Despite Bates County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancingpopulist causes. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerningright to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 75.43% of Bates County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.
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 Bates County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeatPresidentDonald Trump in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Biden | 602 | 63.77 | ||
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 273 | 28.92 | ||
| Democratic | Tulsi Gabbard | 18 | 1.91 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 51 | 5.40 | ||
IncumbentPresidentDonald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from formerMassachusetts GovernorBill Weld, but won both Bates County and statewide by overwhelming margins.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 947 | 97.83 | ||
| Republican | Bill Weld | 2 | 0.21 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 19 | 1.96 | ||
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 and carried a plurality of the vote in Bates County. He went on to win the presidency.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 1,306 | 46.04 | ||
| Republican | Ted Cruz | 1,080 | 38.07 | ||
| Republican | John Kasich | 199 | 7.01 | ||
| Republican | Marco Rubio | 143 | 5.04 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 109 | 3.84 | ||
On the Democratic side, formerSecretary of StateHillary Clinton (D-New York) narrowly won statewide, butSenatorBernie Sanders (I-Vermont) won a majority of the vote in Bates County.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 632 | 53.12 | ||
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 518 | 43.53 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 40 | 3.36 | ||
The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Bates 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 | 594 | 37.71 | ||
| Republican | Mike Huckabee | 503 | 31.94 | ||
| Republican | Mitt Romney | 368 | 23.37 | ||
| Republican | Ron Paul | 71 | 4.51 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 39 | 2.48 | ||
Then-SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Bates 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 | 1,427 | 63.51 | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 676 | 30.08 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 144 | 6.41 | ||
Bates County is divided into 24townships:
Places adjacent to Bates County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
Municipalities and communities ofBates County, Missouri,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
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