Howard County, Missouri

History

Located on the north bank of the Missouri River, Howard County was settled primarily from the Upper Southern states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The migrants brought slaves 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 the Missouri River in the center of the state. Because of this, this area became known as Little Dixie, and Howard County was at its heart. 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. Given their backgrounds and cultural affiliations, many Howard County residents supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. Ethnic German immigrants and descendants tended to support the Union.

After the end of Reconstruction, whites enforced Jim 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 were lynched in Howard County from 1891 to 1914: Olli Truxton, Frank Embree, Thomas Hayden, Arthur McNeal, and Dallas Shields. Howard County tied with Pike County for the highest rate of lynchings in the state.

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.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 472 sqmi, of which 464 sqmi is land and 7.7 sqmi (1.6%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Chariton County (northwest)
• Randolph County (northeast)
• Boone County (southeast)
• Cooper County (south)
• Saline County (west)

Major highways

• [[Image:US 40.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 40
• [[File:MO-3.svg|20px]] Route 3
• [[File:MO-5.svg|20px]] Route 5
• [[File:MO-87.svg|20px]] Route 87
• [[File:MO-124.svg|20px]] Route 124
• [[File:MO-240.svg|20px]] Route 240
• [[File: Alternate plate.svg|20px]]
• [[File:Business plate.svg|20px]]
• [[File:Spur plate.svg|20px]]

National protected area

• Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,151, 3,873 households, and 2,539 families in Howard County, Missouri. The population density was 21.9 per square mile (8.5/km). There were 4,368 housing units at an average density of 9.4 per square mile (3.6/km); 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%.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 87.98% (8,931) white (86.95% non-Hispanic white), 5.34% (542) black or African-American, 0.36% (37) Native American or Alaska Native, 0.27% (27) Asian, 0.03% (3) Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.99% (101) from other races, and 5.02% (510) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.05% (208) of the population.

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. 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.

The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 19.5% of the population. The 2016-2020 5-year American 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). 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). Approximately, 6.7% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those ages 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,212 people, 3,836 households, and 2,631 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 /mi2. There were 4,346 housing units at an average density of 9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 91.13% White, 6.84% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Approximately 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.4% were of German, 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $15,198. About 7.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

School districts covering sections of the county include:

• Fayette R-III School District – Fayette
  • Laurence J. Daly Elementary School (PK-05)
  • William N. Clark Middle School (06-08)
  • Fayette High School (09-12)
• Glasgow School District – Glasgow
  • Howard County Elementary School (PK-06)
  • Glasgow High School (07-12)
• Harrisburg R-VIII School District
• Higbee R-VIII School District
• New Franklin R-I School District – New Franklin
  • New Franklin Elementary School (PK-05)
  • New Franklin Middle/High School (06-12)
• Salisbury R-IV School District

Private schools

• St. Mary's Catholic School – Glasgow (K-08) – Roman Catholic
• Grace & Glory Christian Academy – New Franklin (K-12) – Baptist - [Closed]

Post-secondary

• Central Methodist University – Fayette – A private, four-year Methodist university.

Public libraries

• Howard County Library
• Lewis Library of Glasgow

Communities

Cities and Towns

• Armstrong
• Fayette (county seat)
• Franklin
• Glasgow
• New Franklin

Unincorporated communities

• Boonesboro
• Bunker Hill
• Burton
• Estill
• Hilldale
• Lisbon
• Roanoke
• Sebree
• Steinmetz

Notable people

• Frank P. Briggs - former United States Senator and Assistant U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
• Sara Evans - American country music singer.
• Spottswood Rice - Union Soldier in the Civil War and African Methodist Episcopal Church minister.
• Talbot Smith, United States District Judge
• Kit Carson - Trapper and guide for John Charles Fremont
• Caius T. Ryland - Speaker of the California State Assembly

Politics

Local

The Democratic Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Howard County. Democrats hold all but four of the elected positions in the county.

State

Howard County is split between two districts of the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are represented by Republicans.

• District 47 — Chuck Basye consists of the eastern part of the county.
• District 48 — Dave Muntzel consists of the central and western parts of the county.

All of Howard County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).

Federal

All of Howard County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Main article: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary, 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Former U.S. Senator Hillary 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.

References

References

1. "Explore Census Data".
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. Eaton, David Wolfe. (1916). "How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named". The State Historical Society of Missouri.
4. [http://www.missouridivision-scv.org/littledixie.htm The Story of Little Dixie, Missouri, Missouri Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans] {{Webarchive. link. (July 17, 2012 , accessed June 3, 2008)
5. T. J. Stiles, ''Jesse James: The Last Rebel of the Civil War'', New York: Vintage Books, 2003, pp.10-11
6. (1919). "Thirty Years of Lynching in the United States, 1889—1918". NAACP.
7. [https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf ''Lynching in America''/ ''Supplement: Lynchings by County, 3rd edition''] {{Webarchive. link. (October 23, 2017 , Montgomery, Alabama: Equal Justice Initiative, 2015, p. 7)
8. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
13. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
14. "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980".
15. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
16. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Howard County, Missouri".
17. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Howard County, Missouri".
18. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Howard County, Missouri".
19. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
20. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
21. not an option in the 1980 Census
22. not an option in the 1990 Census
23. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
24. "Gazetteer Files".
25. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
26. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
27. "US Census Bureau, Table S1101: Households and Families".
28. "US Census Bureau, Table S1501: Educational Attainment".
29. "US Census Bureau, Table S1903: Median Income in the Past 12 Months (In 2020 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)".
30. "US Census Bureau, Table S2001: Earnings in the Past 12 Months (In 2020 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)".
31. "US Census Bureau, Table S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months".
32. "US Census Bureau, Table S1702: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months of Families".
33. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
34. "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Howard County, MO". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
35. Breeding, Marshall. "Howard County Library". Libraries.org.
36. Breeding, Marshall. "Lewis Library of Glasgow". Libraries.org.
37. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".