DeKalb County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
.JPG) DeKalb County Courthouse in Maysville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:39°54′N94°24′W / 39.9°N 94.4°W /39.9; -94.4 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | February 25, 1845 |
| Named after | Johann de Kalb |
| Seat | Maysville |
| Largest city | Cameron |
| Area | |
• Total | 426 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Land | 421 sq mi (1,090 km2) |
| • Water | 4.5 sq mi (12 km2) 1.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,029 |
• Estimate (2023) | 9,899 |
| • Density | 26.2/sq mi (10.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
DeKalb County is acounty located in the northwest portion of theU.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 11,029.[1] Its county seat isMaysville.[2] The county was organized February 25, 1845[3] and named for GeneralJohann de Kalb,[4] Baron de Kalb, of theRevolutionary War. DeKalb County is part of theSt. Joseph, MO-KSMetropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in theKansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City,MO-KSCombined Statistical Area.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 426 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 421 square miles (1,090 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,075 | — | |
| 1860 | 5,224 | 151.8% | |
| 1870 | 9,858 | 88.7% | |
| 1880 | 13,334 | 35.3% | |
| 1890 | 14,539 | 9.0% | |
| 1900 | 14,418 | −0.8% | |
| 1910 | 12,531 | −13.1% | |
| 1920 | 11,694 | −6.7% | |
| 1930 | 10,270 | −12.2% | |
| 1940 | 9,751 | −5.1% | |
| 1950 | 8,047 | −17.5% | |
| 1960 | 7,226 | −10.2% | |
| 1970 | 7,305 | 1.1% | |
| 1980 | 8,222 | 12.6% | |
| 1990 | 9,967 | 21.2% | |
| 2000 | 11,597 | 16.4% | |
| 2010 | 12,892 | 11.2% | |
| 2020 | 11,029 | −14.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 9,899 | [6] | −10.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 11,029. The median age was 42.2 years; 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 133.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 141.7 males age 18 and over.[11]
30.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 69.9% lived in rural areas.[12]
There were 3,814 households in the county, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
There were 4,264 housing units, of which 10.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.1% were owner-occupied and 28.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.2%.[11]
As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the county was 88.7% White, 6.1%Black or African American, 0.3%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.0% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population. The accompanying table presents the county's racial and ethnic counts for 1980 through 2020, with the 2020 share highlighted.[13]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[14] | Pop 1990[15] | Pop 2000[16] | Pop 2010[17] | Pop 2020[18] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,149 | 8,934 | 10,250 | 11,045 | 9,653 | 99.11% | 89.64% | 88.38% | 85.67% | 87.52% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 729 | 1,020 | 1,454 | 672 | 0.00% | 7.31% | 8.80% | 11.28% | 6.09% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 13 | 65 | 74 | 49 | 30 | 0.16% | 0.65% | 0.64% | 0.38% | 0.27% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 9 | 31 | 20 | 31 | 42 | 0.11% | 0.31% | 0.17% | 0.24% | 0.38% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[19] | x[20] | 0 | 12 | 2 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 24 | 0.06% | 0.08% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 98 | 82 | 379 | x | x | 0.85% | 0.64% | 3.44% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 46 | 200 | 125 | 219 | 227 | 0.56% | 2.01% | 1.08% | 1.70% | 2.06% |
| Total | 8,222 | 9,967 | 11,597 | 12,892 | 11,029 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[23] of 2000, there were 11,597 people, 3,528 households and 2,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 inhabitants per square mile (10/km2). There were 3,839 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.09%White, 8.86%Black orAfrican American, 0.66%Native American, 0.17%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.27% fromother races and 0.93% from two or more races. Approximately 1.08% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 3,528 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 9.60% weremarried couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 36.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64 and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 152.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 168.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,654 and the median income for a family was $37,329. Males had a median income of $28,434 versus $20,207 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $12,687. About 7.20% of families and 10.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 75.20% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), DeKalb County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of theBible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in DeKalb County who adhere to a religion areSouthern Baptists (37.63%),United Methodists (19.88%) andCommunity of Christ (14.82%).
School districts which have portions of the county include:[24]
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TheRepublican Party controls politics at the local level in DeKalb County.
| DeKalb County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Tanya Zimmerman | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Julie Whitsell | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Melissa (Missy) Meek | Republican | |
| Collector | Jessica Lee | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Kyle Carroll | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Chet Owen | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Kyle White | Republican | |
| Coroner | Heath Turner | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Erik C. Tate | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Connie Bray | Republican | |
| Recorder | Ashley Johnson | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Kasey Keesaman | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Jessica Lee | Republican | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78.84%3,744 | 18.47%877 | 2.79%128 |
| 2020 | 78.14%3,763 | 19.31%930 | 2.55%123 |
| 2016 | 66.63%3,061 | 30.76%1,413 | 2.61%120 |
| 2012 | 55.06%2,394 | 41.74%1,815 | 3.20%139 |
| 2008 | 50.13%2,332 | 46.80%2,177 | 3.07%143 |
| 2004 | 57.93%2,710 | 40.40%1,890 | 1.67%78 |
| 2000 | 52.93%2,129 | 44.70%1,798 | 2.37%95 |
| 1996 | 34.11%1,317 | 63.30%2,444 | 2.59%100 |
DeKalb County is a part of Missouri's 2nd District in theMissouri House of Representatives and is represented byMazzie Boyd (R-Hamilton).[27]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | J. Eggleston | 3,905 | 82.35% | −17.65 | |
| Democratic | Mindi Smith | 837 | 17.65% | +17.65 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | J. Eggleston | 3,349 | 100.00% | ±0.00 | |
DeKalb County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byRusty Black (R-Chillicothe).[28]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 2,899 | 78.27% | −21.73 | |
| Democratic | Terry Richard | 805 | 21.73% | +21.73 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 2,300 | 100.00% | ||
All of DeKalb County is included inMissouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented bySam Graves (R-Tarkio) in theU.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 3,840 | 80.42% | +2.68 | |
| Democratic | Gena L. Ross | 820 | 17.17% | −1.13 | |
| Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 115 | 2.41% | −1.55 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 2,923 | 77.74% | +1.32 | |
| Democratic | Henry Robert Martin | 688 | 18.30% | −1.72 | |
| Libertarian | Dan Hogan | 149 | 3.96% | +1.48 | |
Daviess 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 | 2,584 | 68.52% | +21.97 | |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,011 | 26.81% | −18.23 | |
| Independent | Craig O'Dear | 98 | 2.60% | ||
| Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 58 | 1.54% | −6.87 | |
| Green | Jo Crain | 20 | 0.53% | +0.53 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,826 | 61.83% | +15.28 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,478 | 32.33% | −12.71 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 146 | 3.19% | −5.22 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 50 | 1.09% | +1.09 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 71 | 1.55% | +1.55 | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,598 | 48.57% | 1,573 | 47.81% | 119 | 3.62% |
| 1892 | 1,339 | 41.61% | 1,372 | 42.64% | 507 | 15.76% |
| 1896 | 1,590 | 42.00% | 2,167 | 57.24% | 29 | 0.77% |
| 1900 | 1,669 | 46.21% | 1,840 | 50.94% | 103 | 2.85% |
| 1904 | 1,768 | 51.23% | 1,607 | 46.57% | 76 | 2.20% |
| 1908 | 1,703 | 50.53% | 1,632 | 48.43% | 35 | 1.04% |
| 1912 | 1,090 | 33.11% | 1,652 | 50.18% | 550 | 16.71% |
| 1916 | 1,640 | 49.22% | 1,647 | 49.43% | 45 | 1.35% |
| 1920 | 3,001 | 57.83% | 2,121 | 40.87% | 67 | 1.29% |
| 1924 | 2,730 | 52.58% | 2,368 | 45.61% | 94 | 1.81% |
| 1928 | 3,338 | 63.53% | 1,898 | 36.12% | 18 | 0.34% |
| 1932 | 1,747 | 40.74% | 2,519 | 58.75% | 22 | 0.51% |
| 1936 | 2,872 | 51.56% | 2,680 | 48.11% | 18 | 0.32% |
| 1940 | 3,072 | 54.93% | 2,505 | 44.79% | 16 | 0.29% |
| 1944 | 2,658 | 57.47% | 1,961 | 42.40% | 6 | 0.13% |
| 1948 | 2,098 | 50.74% | 2,033 | 49.17% | 4 | 0.10% |
| 1952 | 3,073 | 63.28% | 1,773 | 36.51% | 10 | 0.21% |
| 1956 | 2,538 | 57.55% | 1,872 | 42.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,484 | 59.41% | 1,697 | 40.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,679 | 41.70% | 2,347 | 58.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,112 | 54.87% | 1,452 | 37.72% | 285 | 7.40% |
| 1972 | 2,766 | 67.38% | 1,339 | 32.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,739 | 46.02% | 2,023 | 53.53% | 17 | 0.45% |
| 1980 | 2,062 | 53.08% | 1,677 | 43.17% | 146 | 3.76% |
| 1984 | 2,188 | 59.91% | 1,464 | 40.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,863 | 48.48% | 1,970 | 51.26% | 10 | 0.26% |
| 1992 | 1,318 | 31.60% | 1,630 | 39.08% | 1,223 | 29.32% |
| 1996 | 1,627 | 42.30% | 1,679 | 43.66% | 540 | 14.04% |
| 2000 | 2,363 | 58.36% | 1,562 | 38.58% | 124 | 3.06% |
| 2004 | 2,941 | 62.76% | 1,707 | 36.43% | 38 | 0.81% |
| 2008 | 2,889 | 61.29% | 1,692 | 35.89% | 133 | 2.82% |
| 2012 | 3,056 | 70.25% | 1,194 | 27.45% | 100 | 2.30% |
| 2016 | 3,540 | 76.52% | 824 | 17.81% | 262 | 5.66% |
| 2020 | 3,828 | 78.90% | 930 | 19.17% | 94 | 1.94% |
| 2024 | 3,885 | 80.70% | 870 | 18.07% | 59 | 1.23% |
At the presidential level, DeKalb County is solidly Republican.Donald Trump carried the county easily in2016 and2020.Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry DeKalb County in1996. The last Democrat to win majority support from the county's voters wasMichael Dukakis in1988.
Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in DeKalb County generally adhere to socially and culturallyconservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings, at least on the state and national levels. In 2004, Missourians voted ona constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed in DeKalb County with 80.7% of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71% support from voters. In 2006, Missourians voted ona constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in DeKalb County with 55.9% voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51% of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approveembryonic stem cell research. Despite DeKalb 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 in DeKalb County with 67.7% of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99% voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.) 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. 65.70% of DeKalb 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 DeKalb County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeatPresidentDonald Trump in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Biden | 309 | 60.47 | ||
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 162 | 31.70 | ||
| Democratic | Tulsi Gabbard | 9 | 1.76 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 16 | 2.06 | ||
IncumbentPresidentDonald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from formerMassachusetts GovernorBill Weld, but won both Daviess County and statewide by large margins.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 486 | 96.24 | ||
| Republican | Bill Weld | 6 | 1.19 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 13 | 2.57 | ||
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 both DeKalb County and the state overall. He went on to win the presidency.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 800 | 43.96 | ||
| Republican | Ted Cruz | 720 | 39.56 | ||
| Republican | John Kasich | 128 | 7.03 | ||
| Republican | Marco Rubio | 105 | 5.77 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 67 | 3.68 | ||
On the Democratic side, formerSecretary of StateHillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin, but lost DeKalb County toSenatorBernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 328 | 57.65 | ||
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 223 | 39.19 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 18 | 3.16 | ||
In the 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary, voters in DeKalb 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 state convention were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum.
In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, withSenatorJohn McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. FormerGovernorMitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) won the vote in Caldwell County.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mitt Romney | 337 | 32.85 | ||
| Republican | John McCain | 310 | 30.21 | ||
| Republican | Mike Huckabee | 276 | 26.90 | ||
| Republican | Ron Paul | 81 | 7.89 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 22 | 2.14 | ||
Then-SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in DeKalb 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 | 596 | 57.86 | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 372 | 36.12 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 62 | 6.02 | ||
Places adjacent to DeKalb County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofDeKalb County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Extinct Places | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
39°54′N94°24′W / 39.90°N 94.40°W /39.90; -94.40
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