Howard County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Howard County Courthouse in Fayette | |
| Nickname: Mother of Counties | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:39°08′N92°42′W / 39.14°N 92.7°W /39.14; -92.7 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 23, 1816 |
| Named after | Benjamin Howard |
| Seat | Fayette |
| Largest city | Fayette |
| Area | |
• Total | 472 sq mi (1,220 km2) |
| • Land | 464 sq mi (1,200 km2) |
| • Water | 7.7 sq mi (20 km2) 1.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 10,151 |
| • Density | 21.9/sq mi (8.45/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | https://www.mocounties.com/howard-county |
Howard County is located in theU.S. state ofMissouri, with its southern border formed by theMissouri River. As of the2020 census, the population was 10,151.[1] Itscounty seat isFayette.[2] Settled originally by migrants from the Upper South, it is part of the region historically known asLittle Dixie. It is part of theColumbia, Missouri, metropolitan area.
The county was organized January 23, 1816, a year after the end of theWar of 1812, and named forBenjamin Howard (1760-1814, served 1809-1813), two years after his death. He was an officer in theUnited States Army, and was appointed by PresidentJames Madison as the first Governor of the newly reorganizedMissouri Territory (1812-1821), with its newcapital city in nearbySt. Louis. Governor Howard oversaw the newfederal territory when it was separated from the previous largerLouisiana Territory of 1804-1812, which encompassed the vast unchartedLouisiana Purchase of 1803 when sold to theUnited States by the EmperorNapoleon I ofFrance for $15 million. The subsequent Missouri Territory was formed nine years later after the previous short-livedLouisiana Territory's southern portion along the lowerMississippi River including the former territorial capital at the major prosperous river port city ofNew Orleans was approved by theUnited States Congress and President Madison to be admitted to the federal Union as the 18thState ofLouisiana in 1812.
This was just prior to the outbreak of theWar of 1812, which heralded renewed conflict with theUnited Kingdom. Territorial Governor Howard was involved and instrumental in the hostilities, although he died in the midst of the war's last year, and before theBritish Army andRoyal Navy attack in theBattle of New Orleans in January 1815, the famous last battle of the war a month after apeace treaty was signed in December 1814, inEurope.[3]
Located on the north bank of the Missouri River, Howard County was settled primarily from theUpper Southern states ofKentucky,Tennessee andVirginia. The migrants broughtslaves and slaveholding traditions with them, and cultivated hemp and tobacco, crops of Middle Tennessee. Howard was one of several counties settled mainly by Southerners along theMissouri River in the center of the state. Because of this, this area became known asLittle Dixie, and Howard County was at its heart.[4] Following the 1848 revolutions in the German nations, many German immigrants also came to this region, developing farms.
Due to the reliance on slave labor, by 1860 African-American slaves composed at least 25 percent of the county's population.[5] Given their backgrounds and cultural affiliations, many Howard County residents supported theConfederacy during the Civil War. Ethnic German immigrants and descendants tended to support the Union.
After the end ofReconstruction, whites enforcedJim Crow laws and racial segregation in the county to maintain white supremacy. In the most violent period, at the turn of the 20th century, five African Americans werelynched in Howard County from 1891 to 1914: Olli Truxton, Frank Embree, Thomas Hayden, Arthur McNeal, and Dallas Shields.[6] Howard County tied withPike County for the highest rate of lynchings in the state.[7]
The county continued to be developed for agriculture and is still largely rural. However, Howard County has lost population since its peak in 1880. The mechanization of farming reduced the demand for labor, and many workers left for jobs in the cities and less oppressive societies. By 2000 African Americans in the county had declined to less than seven percent of the total. In the early 21st century, nearly one-third of the residents identify as being of German ancestry, reflecting the wave of mid-19th century immigration.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 472 square miles (1,220 km2), of which 464 square miles (1,200 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (1.6%) is water.[8]
U.S. Route 40
Route 3
Route 5
Route 87
Route 124
Route 240
Route 240 Alternate
Route 240 Business
Route 240 Spur| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 13,426 | — | |
| 1830 | 10,854 | −19.2% | |
| 1840 | 13,108 | 20.8% | |
| 1850 | 13,969 | 6.6% | |
| 1860 | 15,946 | 14.2% | |
| 1870 | 17,233 | 8.1% | |
| 1880 | 18,428 | 6.9% | |
| 1890 | 17,371 | −5.7% | |
| 1900 | 18,337 | 5.6% | |
| 1910 | 15,653 | −14.6% | |
| 1920 | 13,997 | −10.6% | |
| 1930 | 13,490 | −3.6% | |
| 1940 | 13,026 | −3.4% | |
| 1950 | 11,857 | −9.0% | |
| 1960 | 10,859 | −8.4% | |
| 1970 | 10,561 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 10,008 | −5.2% | |
| 1990 | 9,631 | −3.8% | |
| 2000 | 10,212 | 6.0% | |
| 2010 | 10,144 | −0.7% | |
| 2020 | 10,151 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[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) | 9,104 | 8,802 | 9,267 | 9,240 | 8,826 | 90.97% | 91.39% | 90.75% | 91.09% | 86.95% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 835 | 732 | 694 | 527 | 542 | 8.34% | 7.60% | 6.80% | 5.20% | 5.34% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 10 | 28 | 33 | 45 | 34 | 0.10% | 0.29% | 0.32% | 0.44% | 0.33% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 24 | 17 | 12 | 25 | 27 | 0.24% | 0.18% | 0.12% | 0.25% | 0.27% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[19] | x[20] | 8 | 3 | 3 | x | x | 0.08% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 7 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 46 | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.45% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[21] | x[22] | 106 | 177 | 465 | x | x | 1.04% | 1.74% | 4.58% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 28 | 45 | 88 | 122 | 208 | 0.28% | 0.47% | 0.86% | 1.20% | 2.05% |
| Total | 10,008 | 9,631 | 10,212 | 10,144 | 10,151 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 10,151, 3,873 households, and 2,539 families in Howard County, Missouri.[23] The population density was 21.9 per square mile (8.5/km2). There were 4,368 housing units at an average density of 9.4 per square mile (3.6/km2); 11.3% of those units were vacant, 75.2% of occupied units were owner-occupied, 24.8% were renter-occupied, the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%, and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.[23][24]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[25]
The racial makeup of the county was 87.98% (8,931)white (86.95%non-Hispanic white), 5.34% (542)black orAfrican-American, 0.36% (37)Native American orAlaska Native, 0.27% (27)Asian, 0.03% (3)Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian, 0.99% (101) fromother races, and 5.02% (510) fromtwo or more races.[26]Hispanic orLatino residents of any race comprised 2.05% (208) of the population.[26]
Of the 3,873 households, 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, and 23.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[23][27] The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.1.
22.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 96.0 males.[23]
The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 19.5% of the population.[28] The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $55,000 (with a margin of error of +/- $3,456). The median family income was $66,495 (+/- $4,854).[29] Males had a median income of $36,139 (+/- $2,724) versus $25,043 (+/- $3,270) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $30,623 (+/- $1,907).[30] Approximately, 6.7% of families and 11.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those ages 65 or over.[31][32]
As of thecensus[33] of 2000, there were 10,212 people, 3,836 households, and 2,631 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 4,346 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.13%White, 6.84%Black orAfrican American, 0.33%Native American, 0.12%Asian, 0.08%Pacific Islander, 0.40% fromother races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Approximately 0.86% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 32.4% were ofGerman, 16.1%American, 8.9%English and 8.3%Irish ancestry.
There were 3,836 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% weremarried couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 13.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,614, and the median income for a family was $40,167. Males had a median income of $26,369 versus $19,950 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,198. About 7.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.
School districts covering sections of the county include:[34]
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TheDemocratic Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Howard County. Democrats hold all but four of the elected positions in the county.
| Howard County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | John (Woody) McCutcheon | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Charles J. Flaspohler | Democratic | |
| County Clerk | Shelly Howell | Republican | |
| Collector | Jinger Felten | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Jeremiah Johnmeyer | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Richard Conrow | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Howard McMillan | Democratic | |
| Coroner | Frank Flaspohler | Democratic | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Deborah Riekhof | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Lisa Asbury | Democratic | |
| Recorder | Charles J. Flaspohler | Democratic | |
| Sheriff | Jeff Oswald | ||
| Surveyor | Gene Bowen | Democratic | |
| Treasurer | Susan Keyton | Democratic | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 71.16%3,481 | 26.08%1,276 | 2.76%135 |
| 2020 | 69.58%3,525 | 27.38%1,387 | 3.04%154 |
| 2016 | 56.47%2,727 | 40.26%1,944 | 3.27%158 |
| 2012 | 47.89%2,302 | 48.89%2,350 | 3.22%155 |
| 2008 | 48.69%2,358 | 49.08%2,377 | 2.33%108 |
| 2004 | 52.46%2,578 | 46.34%2,277 | 1.20%59 |
| 2000 | 44.96%2,029 | 52.12%2,352 | 2.92%132 |
| 1996 | 33.90%1,436 | 63.53%2,691 | 2.57%109 |
Howard County is split between two districts of theMissouri House of Representatives, both of which are represented by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chuck Basye | 625 | 72.17% | +8.83 | |
| Democratic | Susan McClintic | 241 | 27.83% | −8.83 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chuck Basye | 330 | 63.34% | +5.61 | |
| Democratic | John Wright | 191 | 36.66% | −5.61 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mitch Richards | 474 | 57.73% | ||
| Democratic | John Wright | 347 | 42.27% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dave Muntzel | 2,893 | 78.15% | −21.85 | |
| Independent | Debra Dilks | 809 | 21.85% | +21.85 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dave Muntzel | 1,962 | 100.00% | +50.61 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dave Muntzel | 1,910 | 49.39% | ||
| Democratic | Ron Monnig | 1,957 | 50.61% | ||
All of Howard County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented byDenny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Denny Hoskins | 2,970 | 65.36% | +3.81 | |
| Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 1,254 | 27.60% | −4.68 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Wayne | 320 | 7.04% | +0.87 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Pearce | 2,835 | 61.55% | ||
| Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 1,487 | 32.28% | ||
| Libertarian | Steven Hedrick | 284 | 6.17% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,671 | 55.27% | +11.59 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,928 | 39.89% | −7.89 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 134 | 2.77% | −5.77 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 48 | 0.99% | +0.99 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 52 | 1.08% | +1.08 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 2,101 | 43.68% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 2,298 | 47.78% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 411 | 8.54% | ||
All of Howard County is included inMissouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented byVicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 3,131 | 66.82% | +2.48 | |
| Democratic | Gordon Christensen | 1,300 | 27.74% | −1.25 | |
| Libertarian | Mark Bliss | 255 | 5.44% | −1.23 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 1,833 | 64.34% | +8.04 | |
| Democratic | Nate Irvin | 826 | 28.99% | −9.25 | |
| Libertarian | Herschel Young | 190 | 6.67% | +2.45 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 2,640 | 56.30% | ||
| Democratic | Teresa Hensley | 1,793 | 38.24% | ||
| Libertarian | Thomas Holbrook | 198 | 4.22% | ||
| Constitution | Greg Cowan | 58 | 1.24% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,278 | 32.48% | 2,577 | 65.49% | 80 | 2.03% |
| 1892 | 1,052 | 28.05% | 2,570 | 68.52% | 129 | 3.44% |
| 1896 | 1,353 | 28.80% | 3,317 | 70.60% | 28 | 0.60% |
| 1900 | 1,295 | 28.75% | 3,134 | 69.57% | 76 | 1.69% |
| 1904 | 1,199 | 30.52% | 2,674 | 68.06% | 56 | 1.43% |
| 1908 | 1,141 | 28.15% | 2,884 | 71.16% | 28 | 0.69% |
| 1912 | 896 | 23.63% | 2,672 | 70.48% | 223 | 5.88% |
| 1916 | 1,121 | 27.86% | 2,866 | 71.24% | 36 | 0.89% |
| 1920 | 2,125 | 30.85% | 4,735 | 68.74% | 28 | 0.41% |
| 1924 | 1,873 | 27.30% | 4,759 | 69.37% | 228 | 3.32% |
| 1928 | 2,254 | 33.54% | 4,452 | 66.25% | 14 | 0.21% |
| 1932 | 1,337 | 19.85% | 5,354 | 79.47% | 46 | 0.68% |
| 1936 | 1,745 | 24.61% | 5,326 | 75.10% | 21 | 0.30% |
| 1940 | 2,333 | 32.75% | 4,770 | 66.97% | 20 | 0.28% |
| 1944 | 1,951 | 32.97% | 3,958 | 66.88% | 9 | 0.15% |
| 1948 | 1,538 | 27.02% | 4,143 | 72.77% | 12 | 0.21% |
| 1952 | 2,340 | 39.12% | 3,635 | 60.77% | 7 | 0.12% |
| 1956 | 2,177 | 38.07% | 3,542 | 61.93% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,075 | 38.59% | 3,302 | 61.41% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,339 | 27.63% | 3,507 | 72.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,825 | 39.12% | 2,333 | 50.01% | 507 | 10.87% |
| 1972 | 2,613 | 56.15% | 2,041 | 43.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,690 | 37.61% | 2,769 | 61.62% | 35 | 0.78% |
| 1980 | 2,179 | 47.85% | 2,243 | 49.25% | 132 | 2.90% |
| 1984 | 2,360 | 53.96% | 2,014 | 46.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,865 | 43.15% | 2,446 | 56.59% | 11 | 0.25% |
| 1992 | 1,253 | 28.20% | 2,085 | 46.93% | 1,105 | 24.87% |
| 1996 | 1,545 | 36.76% | 2,014 | 47.92% | 644 | 15.32% |
| 2000 | 2,414 | 53.50% | 1,944 | 43.09% | 154 | 3.41% |
| 2004 | 2,915 | 59.24% | 1,972 | 40.07% | 34 | 0.69% |
| 2008 | 2,708 | 55.78% | 2,036 | 41.94% | 111 | 2.29% |
| 2012 | 3,017 | 61.99% | 1,723 | 35.40% | 127 | 2.61% |
| 2016 | 3,277 | 67.32% | 1,283 | 26.36% | 308 | 6.33% |
| 2020 | 3,553 | 69.78% | 1,413 | 27.75% | 126 | 2.47% |
| 2024 | 3,534 | 71.18% | 1,341 | 27.01% | 90 | 1.81% |
FormerU.S. SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 685, than any candidate from either party in Howard County during the 2008 presidential primary.
Places adjacent to Howard County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofHoward County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
