Lafayette County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Lafayette County Courthouse in Lexington | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
 Missouri's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:39°04′N93°47′W / 39.06°N 93.78°W /39.06; -93.78 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | November 16, 1820 |
| Named after | Marquis de La Fayette |
| Seat | Lexington |
| Largest city | Odessa |
| Area | |
• Total | 639 sq mi (1,660 km2) |
| • Land | 628 sq mi (1,630 km2) |
| • Water | 11 sq mi (28 km2) 1.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 32,984 |
| • Density | 52.5/sq mi (20.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | www |
Lafayette County is acounty in the western portion ofMissouri, part of theKansas City metropolitan area.[1] As of the2020 census, the population was 32,984.[2] Itscounty seat isLexington.[3] The county was organized November 16, 1820, fromCooper County and originally named Lillard County for James Lillard ofTennessee, who served in the first state constitutional convention and first state legislature.[4] It was renamed Lafayette County on February 16, 1825, in honor ofRevolutionary War hero theMarquis de La Fayette, who was then visiting the United States.[5]
Lafayette County was settled primarily from migrants from theUpper Southern states ofKentucky,Tennessee andVirginia. They broughtenslaved people and slaveholding traditions and started cultivating crops similar to those inMiddle Tennessee and Kentucky:hemp andtobacco.
Peter Youree (1843-1914) was born here to merchant P. E. Youree and the former M. M. Zimmerman. As a young man, he enlisted in the Confederate forces from here, and gained the rank of captain during the American Civil War. Afterward, he settled inShreveport, Louisiana, where he married, became a successful merchant and banker, and served on the Caddo Parish Police Jury.
As a result of the migration from the South, this part of Missouri, and neighboring counties, became known asLittle Dixie. In 1860enslaved people made up 25 percent or more of the county's population, and the county was strongly pro-Confederate during theAmerican Civil War.[6]
But immigrants from Germany, as well as German Americans fromSt. Louis, began arriving shortly before the war, with many more to come afterwards. Many of the Germans were sympathetic to the Union and opposed slavery. They eventually made up a large part of the populations of Concordia, Emma, Wellington, Napoleon, Higginsville, Mayview, and Lexington.
After the war, there were racial tensions as whites worked to dominate the freedmen. Following Reconstruction, whites lynched two blacks in the decades around the turn of the century.
Sunday May 4, 1919, Lafayette County Sheriff Joseph C. Talbott was killed while transporting car thieves to jail. Also killed were Deputy Sheriff John McDonald and Deputy Constable James Stapleton. On May 29, 1919, Lafayette County held a special election to replace Sheriff Talbott. Sheriff Talbott's wife, Minnie Mae Talbott, won the special election becoming the first woman elected to the office of Sheriff in the United States. Minnie Mae Talbott was sworn into office on June 8, 1919. Minnie Mae Talbott was elected by an all-male electorate. Women would not gain the right to vote until August 1920, with ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
In November 2013, Leland Ray Kolkmeyer pleaded guilty, in federal court, of a fraud scheme in which he embezzled more than $1.5 million from Wellington-Napoleon Fire Protection District and Special Road District while serving as their treasurer.[7][8][9]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 639 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 628 square miles (1,630 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.6%) is water.[10]
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Interstate 70
U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 65
Route 13
Route 20
Route 23
Route 131
Route 213
Route 224| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 2,912 | — | |
| 1840 | 6,815 | 134.0% | |
| 1850 | 13,690 | 100.9% | |
| 1860 | 20,098 | 46.8% | |
| 1870 | 22,623 | 12.6% | |
| 1880 | 25,710 | 13.6% | |
| 1890 | 30,184 | 17.4% | |
| 1900 | 31,679 | 5.0% | |
| 1910 | 30,154 | −4.8% | |
| 1920 | 30,006 | −0.5% | |
| 1930 | 29,259 | −2.5% | |
| 1940 | 27,856 | −4.8% | |
| 1950 | 25,272 | −9.3% | |
| 1960 | 25,274 | 0.0% | |
| 1970 | 26,626 | 5.3% | |
| 1980 | 29,925 | 12.4% | |
| 1990 | 31,107 | 3.9% | |
| 2000 | 32,960 | 6.0% | |
| 2010 | 33,381 | 1.3% | |
| 2020 | 32,984 | −1.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010[15] | |||
As of thecensus[16] of 2000, there were 32,960 people, 12,569 households, and 9,099 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 52 people per square mile (20 people/km2). There were 13,707 housing units at an average density of 22 units per square mile (8.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.52%White, 2.27%Black orAfrican American, 0.29%Native American, 0.25%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.51% fromother races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Approximately 1.17% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 37.3% were ofGerman, 17.5%American, 9.9%English and 9.7%Irish ancestry.
There were 12,569 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% weremarried couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,235, and the median income for a family was $45,717. Males had a median income of $31,972 versus $22,684 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,493. About 6.90% of families and 8.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.90% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those ages 65 or over.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 29,256 | 88.7% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 671 | 2% |
| Native American (NH) | 138 | 0.42% |
| Asian (NH) | 115 | 0.35% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 12 | 0.04% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,745 | 5.3% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 1,047 | 3.2% |
School districts which cover any part of the county, no matter how slight, include:[18]
Metropolitan Community College has the school districts in this county in its service area, but not its in-district taxation area.[21]
TheRepublican Party mostly controls politics at the local level in Lafayette County. Republicans hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.
| Lafayette County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Chip Langman | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Deana Aversman | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Linda Niendick | Republican | |
| Collector | Lori Fiegenbaum | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Harold Hoflander | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Craig Williams | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Tracy Dyer | Republican | |
| Coroner | David Pulliam | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Kristen Ellis Hilbrenner | Democratic | |
| Public Administrator | Barb Copenhaver | Republican | |
| Recorder | JoAnn Swartz | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Kerrick Alumbaugh | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Mark Nolte | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Jennifer Jellum | Republican | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 73.38%12,571 | 25.01%4,285 | 1.60%275 |
| 2020 | 71.85%12,238 | 26.13%4,451 | 2.02%244 |
| 2016 | 57.85%9,167 | 38.47%6,097 | 3.68%583 |
| 2012 | 47.91%7,537 | 49.31%7,758 | 2.78%438 |
| 2008 | 42.70%7,022 | 55.09%9,060 | 2.21%364 |
| 2004 | 52.97%8,541 | 45.59%7,351 | 1.43%231 |
| 2000 | 50.32%7,276 | 47.94%6,932 | 1.74%251 |
| 1996 | 34.00%4,450 | 63.05%8,252 | 2.94%385 |
Lafayette County is divided into two legislative districts in theMissouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donna Pfautsch | 12,115 | 72.86% | −2.81 | |
| Democratic | Chase Linder | 5,127 | 29.74% | +19.03 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donna Pfautsch | 6,434 | 71.9% | +10.96 | |
| Democratic | Syed Asif | 1,458 | 16.3% | −27.18 | |
| Libertarian | Matt Stephens | 1,052 | 11.8% | +16.22 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donna Pfautsch | 10,193 | 63.7% | ||
| Democratic | Ron Harvey | 5,814 | 36.3% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Glen Kolkmeyer | 13,719 | 100.00% | +38.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Glen Kolkmeyer | 5,818 | 61.07% | +2.43 | |
| Democratic | Henry Grubb | 3,709 | 38.93% | −2.43 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Glen Kolkmeyer | 9,095 | 58.64% | ||
| Democratic | Holmes Osborne | 6,416 | 41.36% | ||
All of Lafayette County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Denny Hoskins | 9,738 | 63.36% | +1.36 | |
| Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 4,864 | 31.65% | −2.80 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Wayne | 768 | 5.00% | −1.45 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Pearce | 9,547 | 62.00% | ||
| Democratic | ElGene Ver Dught | 5,305 | 34.45% | ||
| Libertarian | Steven Hedrick | 547 | 3.55% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 8,812 | 55.55% | +12.89 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 6,150 | 38.77% | −10.49 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 436 | 2.75% | −5.33 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 167 | 1.05% | +1.05 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 299 | 1.88% | +1.88 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 6,663 | 42.66% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 7,695 | 49.26% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 1,262 | 8.08% | ||
All of Lafayette County is included inMissouri's 5th Congressional District, which is currently represented byEmanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emanuel Cleaver II | 5,744 | 36.50% | +3.58 | |
| Republican | Jacob Turk | 9,505 | 60.39% | −3.58 | |
| Libertarian | Roy Welborn | 490 | 3.11% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emanuel Cleaver II | 3,153 | 32.92% | −6.74 | |
| Republican | Jacob Turk | 6,128 | 63.97% | +6.90 | |
| Libertarian | Roy Welborn | 298 | 3.11% | −0.16 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Emanuel Cleaver II | 6,202 | 39.66% | ||
| Republican | Jacob Turk | 8,925 | 57.07% | ||
| Libertarian | Randy Langkraehr | 511 | 3.27% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,819 | 41.27% | 3,865 | 56.59% | 146 | 2.14% |
| 1892 | 2,833 | 40.33% | 3,922 | 55.83% | 270 | 3.84% |
| 1896 | 3,375 | 42.72% | 4,463 | 56.49% | 63 | 0.80% |
| 1900 | 3,311 | 43.40% | 4,217 | 55.28% | 101 | 1.32% |
| 1904 | 3,531 | 48.82% | 3,583 | 49.54% | 119 | 1.65% |
| 1908 | 3,771 | 48.57% | 3,865 | 49.78% | 128 | 1.65% |
| 1912 | 2,367 | 31.73% | 3,650 | 48.93% | 1,442 | 19.33% |
| 1916 | 4,049 | 49.09% | 4,073 | 49.38% | 126 | 1.53% |
| 1920 | 7,471 | 54.40% | 6,169 | 44.92% | 94 | 0.68% |
| 1924 | 6,517 | 50.43% | 5,877 | 45.48% | 529 | 4.09% |
| 1928 | 7,687 | 56.28% | 5,939 | 43.48% | 32 | 0.23% |
| 1932 | 5,670 | 41.65% | 7,906 | 58.08% | 37 | 0.27% |
| 1936 | 7,535 | 50.70% | 7,275 | 48.95% | 51 | 0.34% |
| 1940 | 8,802 | 55.91% | 6,913 | 43.91% | 29 | 0.18% |
| 1944 | 7,951 | 58.63% | 5,603 | 41.32% | 7 | 0.05% |
| 1948 | 6,634 | 52.48% | 5,988 | 47.37% | 20 | 0.16% |
| 1952 | 8,805 | 59.26% | 6,020 | 40.52% | 32 | 0.22% |
| 1956 | 8,133 | 57.22% | 6,081 | 42.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 8,011 | 59.05% | 5,555 | 40.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 5,493 | 42.60% | 7,400 | 57.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 6,840 | 53.42% | 4,859 | 37.95% | 1,105 | 8.63% |
| 1972 | 9,187 | 69.34% | 4,063 | 30.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 6,823 | 51.28% | 6,410 | 48.18% | 72 | 0.54% |
| 1980 | 7,271 | 53.99% | 5,792 | 43.01% | 405 | 3.01% |
| 1984 | 8,581 | 63.90% | 4,848 | 36.10% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 6,825 | 54.54% | 5,654 | 45.18% | 35 | 0.28% |
| 1992 | 4,651 | 34.54% | 5,213 | 38.71% | 3,603 | 26.75% |
| 1996 | 5,489 | 41.57% | 6,118 | 46.34% | 1,596 | 12.09% |
| 2000 | 7,849 | 54.06% | 6,343 | 43.68% | 328 | 2.26% |
| 2004 | 9,656 | 59.67% | 6,412 | 39.62% | 114 | 0.70% |
| 2008 | 9,442 | 56.88% | 6,902 | 41.58% | 256 | 1.54% |
| 2012 | 9,803 | 61.79% | 5,655 | 35.64% | 408 | 2.57% |
| 2016 | 10,988 | 68.78% | 4,053 | 25.37% | 934 | 5.85% |
| 2020 | 12,273 | 71.79% | 4,472 | 26.16% | 351 | 2.05% |
| 2024 | 12,720 | 73.75% | 4,294 | 24.90% | 234 | 1.36% |
Places adjacent to Lafayette County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofLafayette County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
39°04′N93°47′W / 39.06°N 93.78°W /39.06; -93.78
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