Jackson County, Missouri

History

Early years

Jackson County was long home to members of the indigenous Osage tribe, who occupied this territory at the time of European encounter. The first known European explorers were French trappers who used the Missouri River as a highway for explorations and trading with regional Native American tribes. Jackson County was claimed as a part of the territory of New France, until 1763 and the British victory in the French and Indian War. After that, France ceded this territory west of the Mississippi River to Great Britain's ally, Spain. In 1800 Spain was forced by France in the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso to return its Louisiana Territory (of which modern Jackson County formed a part) to France. Soon abandoning its claims in North America, Napoleon of France sold the territory to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

Operating on behalf of President Thomas Jefferson, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark passed through Jackson County on their notable Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804, to survey peoples, property and resources of the Louisiana Territory. Among other items, their report indicated a "high, commanding position" along the river within the current boundaries of Jackson County; in 1808 Fort Osage was constructed there. This stockade and trading post was one of the first U.S. military installations within the Louisiana Purchase territory, and remained active until 1822.

In 1821, Jackson County was included in the newly admitted state of Missouri. Jackson County was organized on December 15, 1826, and named for Andrew Jackson, U.S. Senator from Tennessee and military hero of the War of 1812, who would ascend to the Presidency shortly after, in 1829. Its county seat was designated as Independence, then a minuscule settlement near a spring. However, the rapid increase in westward exploration and expansion ultimately resulted in Independence becoming the starting point for three of the great Westward Trails: the Santa Fe Trail, the Oregon Trail, and the California Trail. Following the American Civil War and construction of railroads through this area, nearby Kansas City, Missouri, ultimately eclipsed Independence, though both towns remain county seats.

In 1838, the "Town Company" bought a small piece of land along the Missouri River in northern Jackson County, establishing "Westport Landing" (today this is known as the River Market district). The area outside Westport Landing was renamed in 1839 as the "Town of Kansas", after the local Kanza or Kaw tribe.

The town was chartered by Jackson County in 1850 and incorporated by the State of Missouri in 1853 as the "City of Kansas". In 1889, with a population of around 60,000, the city adopted a new charter and changed its name to Kansas City. In 1897, Kansas City annexed Westport.

Latter Day Saints

Jackson County figures prominently in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormons. The Church was formed in Palmyra, New York, in 1830, located in Western New York, north of the Finger Lakes Region. March 1831 President Joseph Smith said that a location on the Missouri–Kansas border was to be the latter-day "New Jerusalem" with the "center place" located in Independence, the county seat. Traveling to the area in the summer of 1831, Smith and some associates formally proclaimed Jackson County as the site in a ceremony in August 1831.

Leadership and members of the Church began moving to Jackson County soon after but open conflict with earlier settlers ensued, driven by religious and cultural differences. Many early settlers along the Missouri River had come from the upper South: Kentucky and Tennessee, for instance, and brought their slaves and pro-slavery customs with them. They believed that the "Yankee" Mormons, from New York and northern states, were abolitionists. Mobs in the public and private sector used force to drive individual Saints from Jackson to nearby counties within Missouri and put Latter Day Saints on notice that they had until November 6, 1833, to leave the county en masse. On November 23, 1833, the few remaining LDS residents were ordered to leave Jackson County. By mid-1839, following the Missouri Mormon War, the Mormons were driven from the state altogether. They did not return to Jackson County or Missouri in significant numbers until 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War.

Civil War

During the Civil War, Jackson County was the scene of several engagements, the most notable of which was the Battle of Westport in 1864, sometimes referred to as "the Gettysburg of Missouri". The Union victory here firmly established Northern control of Missouri, and led to the failure of Confederate General Sterling Price's Missouri expedition. Other noteworthy battles were fought in Independence in 1862, Lone Jack a few days later, and again in Independence in 1864.

Jackson County was strongly affected by Union General Thomas Ewing's infamous General Order No. 11 (1863). With large numbers of Confederate sympathizers living within its boundaries, and active Confederate operations in the area a frequent occurrence, the Union command was determined to deprive Confederate bushwhackers of all local support. Ewing's decree practically emptied the rural portions of the county, and resulted in the burning of large portions of Jackson and adjacent counties. According to American artist George Caleb Bingham, who described the order as "imbecilic" and was a resident of Kansas City at the time, one could see the "dense columns of smoke arising in every direction", symbolic of what he termed "a ruthless military despotism which spared neither age, sex, character, nor condition". Because of the destruction carried out under the order, its legacy haunted Jackson County for decades after the war.

Twentieth century

The coming of the railroads and the building of stockyards led to the rapid expansion of Kansas City in the late 19th century. During the 1920s and '30s, the city became a noted center for Jazz and Blues music, as well as the headquarters of Hallmark Cards and the site of Walt Disney's first animation studio. The county fared better than many during the Great Depression, as local political boss Thomas Pendergast worked to implement a $50,000,000 public works project that provided thousands of jobs. One of Pendergast's political protegés was a young World War I veteran from Independence, Harry S. Truman, who had been his nephew's commanding officer in the war. Truman was elected Presiding Judge (equivalent to a County Executive) of Jackson County with Pendergast support in 1926. He later was elected as a U.S. Senator from Missouri, Vice President and, in 1945, following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, succeeded him to become the thirty-third President of the United States. Truman was also elected president in 1948 in his own right.

Following World War II, developers followed new highways and created subdivisions for new housing, which increasingly encroached on rural portions of the county. They provided housing for the nation's returning veterans and their young families. Independence, Blue Springs and Lee's Summit underwent growth during this period, which continues to the present. Kansas City, on the other hand, suffered problems of urban decay as jobs and families left the industrial city, problems common to many large American cities in the late 20th century.

Recent building projects have sought to reverse this trend, including work on the city's famous City Market, Westport district, 18th and Vine Historic District, and most recently, the Kansas City Power & Light District.

In 2024, the statues of Andrew Jackson were voted about whether to remove as to not idolize a slave owner or not. The plaques added in 2021 to the statues to hopefully add context and support for keeping the statues, wording it acknowledge Jackson was a slave owner and also supported the Indian Removal Act.

Some of the county's local history is presented at the Pleasant Hill Historical Society Museum, in Pleasant Hill on the southern edge of the county.

Economy

The total employment as of September 2024 is 1,142,105.

Government

Jackson County was the second county to adopt a home-rule charter under the Missouri Constitution. The Jackson County Charter was adopted by the voters in 1970 and was amended in 1985 and 1986.

Executive power of the county is vested in the county executive, which is a full-time salaried position. The county executive is elected at-large by the general population of the county for a four-year term, but may be recalled by referendum.

The County Prosecutor is a full-time salaried position elected at-large by the general population of the county for a four-year term

Ordinances are passed by a county legislature. The legislature is made up of nine members: six are elected from smaller, single-member districts within the county. Three are elected "at large" from larger districts, each by voters of the whole county. Member terms are 4 years, beginning on January 1 following the election.

There are 244,570 registered voters.

Law enforcement

The County Sheriff is a full-time salaried position elected by the general population of the county for a four-year term the sheriff is Darryl Forté. The Sheriff's Office is also responsible for the county's jail.

Sheriff Mike Sharp resigned in April 2018 amidst scandal. He was the subject of a lawsuit that alleged sexual misconduct, personal use of public funds and sexual harassment. Sheriff Darryl Forté was then appointed. He had recently retired as the chief of the Kansas City Police Department. He was elected to a full term in November of that year.

In mid-2019, Sheriff Forté directed a more-restrictive policy on high-speed pursuits the day after one of his deputies was charged with injuring a bystander during such a chase in May 2018.

Courts

Jackson County is the only county that falls under the jurisdiction of the 16th Judicial Circuit of the Missouri Circuit Courts. The Court seats 19 Circuit Judges and 10 Associate Circuit Judges. All Judges of the court are appointed by the Governor of Missouri, Circuit Judges serve a term of six years and Associate judges serve a term of four years.

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Jackson County also has a municipal court with one judge. The Municipal Judge is appointed by the County Executive with approval by the County Legislature and they serve a four-year term.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 sqmi, of which 604 sqmi is land and 12 sqmi (1.9%) is water.

Notable Lakes include

• Longview Lake
• Lake Jacomo
• Blue Springs Lake
• Lake Lotawana
• Prairie Lee Lake
• Lake Tapawingo

The Missouri River comprises Jackson County's northern border (with the exception of one small portion north of the river around the intersection of Highways 210 and 291 as well as all of the 291 bridge). The county has historically been a major traveling point for American river travel.

Adjacent counties

• Johnson County, Kansas (west/southwest)
• Clay County, Missouri (north)
• Wyandotte County, Kansas (west/northwest)
• Cass County, Missouri (south)
• Lafayette County, Missouri (east)
• [[Ray County, Missouri|Ray County]] (northeast)
• Johnson County, Missouri (southeast) - not part of the Kansas City metropolitan area

Jackson County is one of the few counties in the US to border two counties of the same name in different states (Johnson County in Kansas and Missouri).

Major highways

• [[Image:I-29 (MO).svg|20px]] Interstate 29
• [[Image:I-35 (MO).svg|20px]] Interstate 35
• [[Image:I-49 (MO).svg|20px]] Interstate 49
• [[Image:I-70 (MO).svg|20px]] Interstate 70
• [[Image:Alt plate green.svg|20px]]
• [[Image:I-435 (MO).svg|25px]] Interstate 435
• [[Image:I-470 (MO).svg|25px]] Interstate 470
• [[Image:I-670 (MO).svg|25px]] Interstate 670
• [[Image:US 24.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 24
• [[File:Business plate.svg|20px]]
• [[Image:US 40.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 40
• [[Image:US 50.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 50
• [[Image:US 56.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 56
• [[Image:US 71.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 71
• [[Image:US 169.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 169
• [[Image:MO-7.svg|20px]] Route 7
• [[Image:MO-9.svg|20px]] Route 9
• [[Image:MO-12.svg|20px]] Route 12
• [[Image:MO-78.svg|20px]] Route 78
• [[Image:MO-150.svg|20px]] Route 150
• [[Image:MO-210.svg|20px]] Route 210
• [[Image:MO-291.svg|20px]] Route 291
• [[Image:MO-350.svg|20px]] Route 350

Transit

• RideKC
• KC Streetcar
• Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
• Amtrak at Kansas City Union Station
• Greyhound Lines and Jefferson Lines at Kansas City Bus Station

National protected area

• Harry S Truman National Historic Site

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 717,204 and a median age of 36.8 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.

There were 297,580 households in the county, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 32.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 329,579 housing units, of which 9.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 56.5% were owner-occupied and 43.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.4%.

95.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 4.3% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 60.8% White, 22.1% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 5.0% from some other race, and 9.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.8% of the population.

Racial and ethnic composition

The most reported ancestries in 2020 were:

• German (17.3%)
• English (16.4%)
• African American (13.8%)
• Irish (13.8%)
• Mexican (7.4%)
• Italian (3.3%)
• Scottish (2.9%)
• French (2.2%)
• Polish (1.2%)
• Swedish (1.2%)

2010 census

As of the 2010 census Jackson County had a population of 674,158. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 63.3% non-Hispanic white, 23.7% non-Hispanic black, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander alone or in combination with one or more other races, 0.1% non-Hispanic from some other race, 3.8% reporting two or more races and 8.4% Hispanic or Latino.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 654,880 people, 266,294 households, and 166,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,083 PD/sqmi. There were 288,231 housing units at an average density of 476 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 70.10% White, 23.27% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.43% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 5.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.7% were of German, 9.1% American, 8.9% Irish and 8.8% English ancestry.

There were 266,294 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.40% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.60% were non-families. 31.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% 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 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,277, and the median income for a family was $48,435. Males had a median income of $35,798 versus $27,403 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,788. About 9.00% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Jackson County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Jackson County who adhere to a religion are Roman Catholics (19.51%), Southern Baptists (17.96%), and non-denominational evangelical Christians (11.52%).

Politics

Jackson County is a solidly Democratic county and has remained so even as most other parts of the state of Missouri have trended rightward. The last Republican presidential candidate to carry the county was Richard Nixon in 1972, the only Republican to do so since 1932. John Ashcroft was the last Republican gubernatorial candidate in 1988 and Kit Bond for the Senate in 1998. Tom Schweich is the last Statewide Republican candidate to win the county in his landslide victory for State Auditor in 2014.

The county's Democratic lean is due almost entirely to the presence of Kansas City. In 2008, for example, John McCain barely carried the areas of the county outside Kansas City, but Barack Obama carried Kansas City by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, enough for him to carry the county as a whole with 62 percent of the vote.

Education

K-12 schools

School districts include:

• Blue Springs R-IV School District
• Center 58 School District
• Fort Osage R-I School District
• Grain Valley R-V School District
• Grandview C-4 School District
• Hickman Mills C-1 School District
• Independence 30 School District
• Kansas City 33 School District
• Lee's Summit R-VII School District
• Lone Jack C-6 School District
• Oak Grove R-VI School District
• Raytown C-2 School District

Colleges and universities

Metropolitan Community College has its taxation area in all parts of the county except for the one in the Lone Jack C-6 school district; in that portion, it is in the college's service area, but not the in-district taxation zone.

Archives

• Jackson County Historical Society

Libraries

• Kansas City Public Library
• Linda Hall Library
• Mid-Continent Public Library

Museums

• American Jazz Museum
• National World War I Museum and Memorial
• Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
• Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site
• Jackson County Jail and Marshal's House
• National Toy and Miniature Museum
• Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
• Kansas City Museum
• Missouri Town 1855
• Vaile Mansion
• Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
• Owens-Rogers Museum

Communities

Cities

• Blue Springs
• Buckner
• Grain Valley
• Grandview
• Greenwood
• Independence (co-county seat)
• Kansas City (partly in Platte and Clay counties and a small part in Cass County; co-county seat)
• Lake Lotawana
• Lake Tapawingo
• Lee's Summit
• Levasy
• Lone Jack
• Oak Grove
• Pleasant Hill (Mostly Cass County, but partly in Jackson County)
• Raytown
• Sugar Creek

Villages

• River Bend
• Sibley
• Unity Village

Census-designated places

• Blue Summit
• Tarsney Lakes

Unincorporated communities

• Atherton
• Blue Mills
• Cockrell
• Courtney
• Hiler
• Hicks City
• Pink Hill
• Sni Mills

References

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
2. "Explore Census Data".
3. (August 2, 2018). "Eastern Jackson County: Suburbs pick up urbanization trend | Thinking Bigger".
4. (2020). "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report". Jackson County Missouri.
5. Eaton, David Wolfe. (1916). "How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named". The State Historical Society of Missouri.
6. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
7. Smith, Joseph Fielding. (1956). "Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith". [[Bookcraft]].
8. [[Doctrine and Covenants]] {{lds. dc. 57. 1. 5
9. [[H. Michael Marquardt]], [http://www.xmission.com/~research/about/temple.htm "The Independence Temple of Zion"], 1997. Retrieved March 28, 2008.
10. "The Manifesto of the Mob". Blacklds.org.
11. Information for this section was obtained largely from [http://jchs.org/175th%20Anniversary_files/175%20Year%20History%20in%20a%20Nutshell.htm 175 Years of Jackson County History] {{webarchive. link. (January 23, 2009, Jackson County Historical Society.)
12. (2021-07-06). "Plaque added to statue in Kansas City to acknowledge Andrew Jackson owned slaves".
13. (2023-07-10). "Jackson County wants to remove Andrew Jackson statues outside courthouses".
14. "Bureau of Labor Statistics Data".
15. "County Government".
16. "County Executive".
17. "County Prosecutor".
18. "County Legislature".
19. Sloan, Nick. (October 1, 2025). "McGee: Jackson County voters 'turned a page' with recall of Frank White Jr.".
20. Boring, Samantha. (October 1, 2025). "What happens now that Frank White is recalled? Here's what the County Charter says".
21. IT, Missouri Secretary of State -. "Registered Voters in Missouri".
22. "County Sheriff".
23. "About Us".
24. (July 1, 2019). "129th Correction Officer Academy Graduation".
25. (April 18, 2018). "Jackson Co. Sheriff Mike Sharp to resign amid damaging allegations". FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV.
26. (May 10, 2018). "Darryl Forté Named As Sheriff". Jackson County, Missouri.
27. (May 5, 2019). "Jackson County sheriff adopts 'restrictive' pursuit policy after deputy charged in May 2018 crash".
28. "Our Judges".
29. "County Municipal Court".
30. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
31. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Jackson County, Missouri".
32. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
33. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
34. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
35. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
36. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
37. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
38. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
39. "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980".
40. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
41. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jackson County, Missouri".
42. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jackson County, Missouri".
43. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jackson County, Missouri".
44. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
45. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
46. not an option in the 1980 Census
47. not an option in the 1990 Census
48. "Detailed Races and Ethnicities in the United States and Puerto Rico: 2020 Census". U.S. Census Bureau.
49. 2010 census report for Jackson County, Missouri
50. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
51. Geography Division. (January 12, 2021). "2020 Census – School District Reference Map: Jackson County, MO". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
52. "MCC SERVICE AREAS". [[Metropolitan Community College (Missouri).
53. "Jackson County Historical Society{{!}}Home".