Sullivan County, Missouri | |
|---|---|
 Sullivan County Courthouse in Milan | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMissouri | |
| Coordinates:40°13′N93°07′W / 40.21°N 93.11°W /40.21; -93.11 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | 1843 (created) 1845 (organized) |
| Named after | John Sullivan |
| Seat | Milan |
| Largest city | Milan |
| Area | |
• Total | 652 sq mi (1,690 km2) |
| • Land | 648 sq mi (1,680 km2) |
| • Water | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,999 |
| • Density | 9.26/sq mi (3.57/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
Sullivan County is a county located in the northern portion of theU.S. state ofMissouri. As of the2020 census, the population was 5,999.[1] Itscounty seat isMilan.[2] The county was organized February 14, 1845, and named for Major GeneralJohn Sullivan of theAmerican Revolutionary War.[3]
In 1682,René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle claimed theterritory west of the Mississippi River forFrance, which included present-day Sullivan County. The United States acquired this region under terms of theLouisiana Purchase on July 4, 1803. Twenty-one years later, theSauk,Meskwaki, andIowa Native American nations ceded their tribal land to the U.S. government under two treaties in August 1824.
Dr. Jacob Holland and his son, Robert W. Holland, arrived in 1836, becoming the county's first permanent White settlers. Dr. Holland, a veteran of theBlack Hawk War and practitioner of herbal medicine, and son staked their home sites at the Main Locust Creek Settlement near a place called Scottsville.[4]American pioneers fromOhio,Illinois,Kentucky,Tennessee, andVirginia quickly followed them and established farms and small businesses at Pharsalia (Milan) Settlement, Yellow Creek Settlement, and Jackson's Corners (Jacksonville) by 1840.
The Missouri state legislature defined the boundaries of the county fromChariton County during the 1842–1843 legislative session, and first named it Highland County. However, the number of permanent settlers did not meet requirements for civil governance and military purposes, so legislators attached administration of Highland County toLinn County. A new survey of the county in 1844 determined that the population was sufficient to permit full organization. E.M.C. Morelock, a representative from Highland County, presented an act to the state legislature, which they approved on February 14, 1845, and the county became formally organized. By the same act, it was renamed Sullivan County in honor ofJohn Sullivan, amajor general in theContinental Army during theAmerican Revolutionary War.[5][6]
Settlers established the town ofMilan (pronounced MY-lun) in 1845, located at the center of the county, where the first courts met. William Putnam built the first courthouse, which was occupied in October 1847. Ten years later, residents leveled anIndian mound in the middle of town to make the public square and Major John McCollough built the second courthouse, the first brick structure in Milan, on this site during 1857–1858.[7] (This courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1908 and it was not until 1938 that it was replaced by the three-story limestone building that stands today.[8]) The lastUnited States General Land Office established in Missouri also operated from the square from 1849 to 1859. The state legislature officially incorporated the city of Milan on February 8, 1859. Other towns platted in the county's early years includedGreencastle (1857),Newtown (1858),Pollock (1873), Boynton and Cora (1877),Green City andWinigan (1880),Humphreys andReger (1881),Osgood (1886), andHarris (1887). Green City College opened in 1885, and a business institute opened in Humphreys in 1884.
During theU.S. Civil War (1861–1865), aUnion Army post stood in Milan. The Union cause was supported by four Union volunteer infantry regiments, two Union cavalry volunteer regiments, two Missouri Militia units, one provisional militia unit, and a large unit of Sullivan County Home Guards. TheConfederate side was supported by four units of Missouri State Guard infantrymen.[9] Soldiers from Sullivan County fought at theBattle of Shiloh,Battle of Atlanta,Battle of Jonesborough, and other major engagements throughout the war. Military skirmishes within the county were mostly confined tobushwhackers.
Expansion of therailroads brought growth to Sullivan County beginning in the 1870s. The C., B. & K.C. (Chicago, Burlington and Kansas City Railway) built a line running north to south through the county in 1876, which was followed by construction of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railway line east to west through the county from 1878 to 1881. The two lines crossed in Milan, which became a major shipping point. TheChicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway soon built a north–south line along Medicine Creek the length of the western edge of the county that served the towns ofNewtown andHarris, which continues to be active today. (All three railroads eventually merged into theChicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.)
By 1900, following the railroad construction boom, the county's population exceeded 20,000. However, business activity and the number of residents declined steadily during the subsequent decades. The number of farms decreased from about 3,100 in 1900 to under 900 by 1982, but over the same time period, the size of farms increased from about 130 acres to 385 acres. The county primarily remains rural agricultural land today, planted in corn and grains with family operated poultry, livestock, and dairy farms.[10] One medium size manufacturer in Milan employs about 750 people.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 652 square miles (1,690 km2), of which 648 square miles (1,680 km2) is land and 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) (0.5%) is water.[11]
The mainwater courses in Sullivan County are Medicine, Locust, East Locust, Yellow, and Spring Creeks. The highest point in the county, about 1,060 feet (320 m) above sea level, is on the primary divide between theChariton River andGrand Riverdrainage basins along its northern border shared withPutnam County northwest of Green City. The lowest point, about 740 feet (230 m) above sea level, is where Locust Creek flows out of the county on its southern border withLinn County, near the town of Browning.[12]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,983 | — | |
| 1860 | 9,108 | 205.3% | |
| 1870 | 11,907 | 30.7% | |
| 1880 | 16,569 | 39.2% | |
| 1890 | 19,000 | 14.7% | |
| 1900 | 20,282 | 6.7% | |
| 1910 | 18,598 | −8.3% | |
| 1920 | 17,781 | −4.4% | |
| 1930 | 15,212 | −14.4% | |
| 1940 | 13,701 | −9.9% | |
| 1950 | 11,299 | −17.5% | |
| 1960 | 8,783 | −22.3% | |
| 1970 | 7,572 | −13.8% | |
| 1980 | 7,434 | −1.8% | |
| 1990 | 6,326 | −14.9% | |
| 2000 | 7,219 | 14.1% | |
| 2010 | 6,714 | −7.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,999 | −10.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[13] 1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15] 1990-2000[16] 2010-2015[17] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 5,999 and a median age of 42.1 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 104.8 males.[18]
The racial makeup of the county was 78.0% White, 3.5%Black or African American, 0.9%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 9.1% from some other race, and 8.0% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 17.6% of the population.[19]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[20]
There were 2,484 households in the county, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 3,024 housing units, of which 17.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.7% were owner-occupied and 30.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.1%.[18]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[21] | Pop 1990[22] | Pop 2000[23] | Pop 2010[24] | Pop 2020[25] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 7,360 | 6,281 | 6,508 | 5,350 | 4,507 | 99.00% | 99.29% | 90.15% | 79.68% | 75.13% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 5 | 1 | 9 | 30 | 208 | 0.07% | 0.02% | 0.12% | 0.45% | 3.47% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 20 | 14 | 12 | 32 | 26 | 0.27% | 0.22% | 0.17% | 0.48% | 0.43% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 5 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 29 | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.14% | 0.12% | 0.48% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[26] | x[27] | 5 | 1 | 1 | x | x | 0.07% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.23% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[28] | x[29] | 41 | 41 | 160 | x | x | 0.57% | 0.61% | 2.67% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 41 | 28 | 634 | 1,248 | 1,054 | 0.55% | 0.44% | 8.78% | 18.59% | 17.57% |
| Total | 7,434 | 6,326 | 7,219 | 6,714 | 5,999 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of thecensus[30] of 2010, there were 6,714 people, 2,925 households, and 1,959 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 11 people per square mile (4.2 people/km2). There were 3,364 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.73%White, 0.51%Black orAfrican American, 0.66%Native American, 0.12%Asian, 0.13%Pacific Islander, 8.67% fromother races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Approximately 18.59% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race, making Sullivan County the most heavily Hispanic/Latino county in Missouri.
There were 2,925 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% weremarried couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,107, and the median income for a family was $33,590. Males had a median income of $23,245 versus $19,167 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $13,392. About 11.00% of families and 16.50% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 20.90% of those age 65 or over.
Source[32]
Source[33]
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TheRepublican andDemocratic parties equally control politics at the local level in Sullivan County. Both parties hold about half of the elected positions in the county.
| Sullivan County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Karen LaFaver | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Sherry Brinkley | Democratic | |
| County Clerk | Jackie Morris | Democratic | |
| Collector | Jennifer Hollon-Russell | Republican | |
| Commissioner (presiding) | Chris May | Republican | |
| Commissioner (district 1) | Mike Hepler | Democratic | |
| Commissioner (district 2) | Danny Busick | Republican | |
| Coroner | Paul Ruschmeier | Democratic | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Jerry A. Hollon | Democratic | |
| Public Administrator | Joan Brummitt | Democratic | |
| Recorder | Peggy Sloan | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Roger Smiley | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Brandon Piper | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Jennifer Hollon-Russell | Republican | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 83.54%2,020 | 14.97%362 | 1.49%36 |
| 2020 | 81.02%1,985 | 18.00%441 | 0.98%25 |
| 2016 | 66.21%1,642 | 31.73%787 | 2.06%51 |
| 2012 | 54.90%1,429 | 42.41%1,104 | 2.69%70 |
| 2008 | 51.43%1,476 | 46.03%1,321 | 2.54%73 |
| 2004 | 62.45%1,929 | 35.77%1,105 | 1.78%55 |
| 2000 | 58.11%1,755 | 40.33%1,218 | 1.56%47 |
| 1996 | 35.59%1,084 | 62.57%1,906 | 1.84%56 |
Sullivan County is part of Missouri's 3rd district in theMissouri House of Representatives, currently represented by Nate Walker (R-Kirksville).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nate Walker | 2,152 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nate Walker | 1,300 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Nate Walker | 1,552 | 59.49% | ||
| Democratic | Rebecca McClanahan | 1,057 | 40.51% | ||
Sullivan County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 1,227 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 1,662 | 67.23% | +23.85 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 735 | 29.73% | −20.62 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 37 | 1.50% | −4.77 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 17 | 0.69% | +0.69 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 21 | 0.85% | +0.85 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 1,128 | 43.38% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,309 | 50.35% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 163 | 6.27% | ||
Sullivan County is included inMissouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented bySam Graves (R-Tarkio) in theU.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,897 | 77.27% | +1.46 | |
| Democratic | David M. Blackwell | 506 | 20.61% | −1.12 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 35 | 1.43% | −1.03 | |
| Green | Mike Diel | 17 | 0.69% | +0.69 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,172 | 75.81% | +6.70 | |
| Democratic | Bill Hedge | 336 | 21.73% | −7.34 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 38 | 2.46% | +0.64 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 1,785 | 69.11% | ||
| Democratic | Kyle Yarber | 751 | 29.07% | ||
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 47 | 1.82% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,021 | 50.58% | 1,948 | 48.75% | 27 | 0.68% |
| 1892 | 2,173 | 49.79% | 2,095 | 48.01% | 96 | 2.20% |
| 1896 | 2,393 | 49.07% | 2,451 | 50.26% | 33 | 0.68% |
| 1900 | 2,386 | 49.06% | 2,395 | 49.25% | 82 | 1.69% |
| 1904 | 2,474 | 51.43% | 2,224 | 46.24% | 112 | 2.33% |
| 1908 | 2,389 | 50.61% | 2,269 | 48.07% | 62 | 1.31% |
| 1912 | 1,819 | 38.69% | 2,226 | 47.35% | 656 | 13.95% |
| 1916 | 2,420 | 49.02% | 2,446 | 49.54% | 71 | 1.44% |
| 1920 | 4,576 | 56.35% | 3,475 | 42.79% | 70 | 0.86% |
| 1924 | 3,885 | 49.33% | 3,703 | 47.02% | 287 | 3.64% |
| 1928 | 4,183 | 55.80% | 3,292 | 43.92% | 21 | 0.28% |
| 1932 | 3,373 | 45.26% | 4,053 | 54.38% | 27 | 0.36% |
| 1936 | 4,019 | 50.08% | 3,986 | 49.67% | 20 | 0.25% |
| 1940 | 4,080 | 52.07% | 3,743 | 47.77% | 13 | 0.17% |
| 1944 | 3,611 | 52.00% | 3,328 | 47.93% | 5 | 0.07% |
| 1948 | 3,140 | 47.63% | 3,443 | 52.23% | 9 | 0.14% |
| 1952 | 3,746 | 55.15% | 3,041 | 44.77% | 5 | 0.07% |
| 1956 | 3,357 | 54.48% | 2,805 | 45.52% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,202 | 56.12% | 2,504 | 43.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,052 | 43.23% | 2,695 | 56.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,332 | 52.24% | 1,907 | 42.72% | 225 | 5.04% |
| 1972 | 2,611 | 62.18% | 1,588 | 37.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,141 | 47.75% | 2,313 | 51.58% | 30 | 0.67% |
| 1980 | 2,412 | 55.77% | 1,824 | 42.17% | 89 | 2.06% |
| 1984 | 2,306 | 56.38% | 1,784 | 43.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,897 | 54.75% | 1,562 | 45.08% | 6 | 0.17% |
| 1992 | 1,326 | 38.59% | 1,510 | 43.95% | 600 | 17.46% |
| 1996 | 1,275 | 41.75% | 1,402 | 45.91% | 377 | 12.34% |
| 2000 | 1,877 | 61.26% | 1,127 | 36.78% | 60 | 1.96% |
| 2004 | 1,880 | 60.86% | 1,178 | 38.14% | 31 | 1.00% |
| 2008 | 1,607 | 56.01% | 1,173 | 40.89% | 89 | 3.10% |
| 2012 | 1,610 | 62.04% | 908 | 34.99% | 77 | 2.97% |
| 2016 | 1,884 | 75.78% | 526 | 21.16% | 76 | 3.06% |
| 2020 | 1,974 | 79.89% | 478 | 19.34% | 19 | 0.77% |
| 2024 | 2,035 | 82.62% | 408 | 16.57% | 20 | 0.81% |
FormerU.S. SenatorHillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 506, than any candidate from either party in Sullivan County during the 2008 presidential primary.
Places adjacent to Sullivan County, Missouri | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofSullivan County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Townships | ||
| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
