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Vernon County, Missouri

Coordinates: 37°51′N 94°20′W / 37.85°N 94.34°W / 37.85; -94.34
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Vernon County
County
Vernon County Courthouse
Vernon County Courthouse
Map of Missouri highlighting Vernon County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°51′N 94°20′W / 37.85°N 94.34°W / 37.85; -94.34
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedFebruary 27, 1855
Named forColonel Miles Vernon, state senator, and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans
SeatNevada
Largest cityNevada
Area
 • Total837 sq mi (2,170 km2)
 • Land826 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water10 sq mi (30 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total19,707
 • Density24/sq mi (9.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.vernoncountymo.org

Vernon County is a county located in the western region of the U.S. state of Missouri, on the border with Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,707.[1] Its county seat is Nevada.[2] The county was organized on February 27, 1855, considerably later than counties in the eastern part of the state.[3] It was named for Colonel Miles Vernon (1786–1867), a state senator and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans.[4] This area was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.

History

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The county was developed by European Americans for agriculture and is still mostly rural.

Vernon County suffered considerable damage during the American Civil War. Guerrillas and insurgents had waged raids against Union troops and carried out personal vendettas in the county. On May 23, 1863, Union Army soldiers burned the county seat of Nevada, along with the courthouse, in retaliation. The present courthouse was completed in 1907.[5]

Vernon County was one of four Missouri counties that were wholly depopulated by Union General Thomas Ewing Jr.'s General Order No. 11 (1863), which ordered the people evacuated to end support for Confederate guerrillas operating in the area. Most of the residents were not allowed to return to their homes until after the Civil War ended in May 1865.

Geography

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A boardwalk allows visitors to explore a restored wetland at Four Rivers Conservation Area in northern Vernon County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 837 square miles (2,170 km2), of which 826 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.2%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Transit

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18604,850—
187011,247131.9%
188019,36972.2%
189031,50562.7%
190031,6190.4%
191028,827−8.8%
192026,069−9.6%
193025,031−4.0%
194025,5862.2%
195022,685−11.3%
196020,540−9.5%
197019,065−7.2%
198019,8063.9%
199019,041−3.9%
200020,4547.4%
201021,1593.4%
202019,707−6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 20,454 people, 7,966 households, and 5,432 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 8,872 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.99% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Approximately 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,966 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,021, and the median income for a family was $37,714. Males had a median income of $28,182 versus $19,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,047. About 10.10% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

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Vernon County Racial Composition[13]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 17,966 91.2%
Black or African American (NH) 110 0.56%
Native American (NH) 131 0.66%
Asian (NH) 103 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH) 18 0.1%
Other/Mixed (NH) 953 4.83%
Hispanic or Latino 426 2.16%

Education

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Public schools

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/ Northeast Vernon County R-I School District – Walker

    • Northeast Vernon County Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Northeast Vernon County High School (07-12)
  • Sheldon R-VIII School District – Sheldon
    • Sheldon Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Sheldon High School (07-12)

Private schools

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Colleges and universities

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Public libraries

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  • Nevada Public Library[14]

Communities

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Townships

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Cities

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Villages

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Unincorporated communities

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Former settlements

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Politics

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Local

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The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Vernon County despite the Democratic Party's historical control. Republicans hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.

Vernon County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Lena Kleeman Republican
Circuit Clerk Carrie Poe Republican
County Clerk Adrienne Lee[15] Republican
Collector Brent Banes Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Joe Wilson[15] Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Cindy Thompson Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Everett Wolf[16] Republican
Coroner David L. Ferry Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Brandy McInroy[17] Republican
Public Administrator Kelsey Westerhold Republican
Recorder Shelly Baldwin Republican
Sheriff Jason Mosher[17] Republican
Treasurer Brent Banes Republican

State

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Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.01% 7,022 20.72% 1,889 2.27% 207
2016 66.67% 5,699 30.66% 2,621 2.67% 228
2012 52.26% 4,424 44.40% 3,759 3.34% 283
2008 46.54% 4,095 51.05% 4,491 2.41% 212
2004 66.76% 5,989 31.97% 2,868 1.27% 114
2000 52.49% 4,370 45.20% 3,763 2.30% 192
1996 39.90% 3,039 57.27% 4,362 2.84% 216

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 126th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Patricia Pike (R-Adrian).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Patricia Pike 7,836 100.00% +46.45
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Patricia Pike 2,960 53.55% −46.45
Democratic Sam Foursha 2,398 43.38% +43.38
Constitution William M. Gilmore 170 3.07% +3.07
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Randy Pike 7,309 100.00%

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville).

Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Emery 5,492 65.69% −2.73
Independent Tim Wells 2,320 27.75% +27.75
Libertarian Lora Young 548 6.56% +6.56
Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Emery 5,698 68.42%
Democratic Charlie A. Burton 2,630 31.58%

Federal

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U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 5,448 63.71% +14.48
Democratic Jason Kander 2,700 31.58% −13.38
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 231 2.70% −3.11
Green Johnathan McFarland 91 1.06% +1.06
Constitution Fred Ryman 81 0.95% +0.95
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 4,171 49.23%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 3,810 44.96%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 492 5.81%

All of Vernon 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 6,526 77.00% +4.66
Democratic Gordon Christensen 1,676 19.78% −3.76
Libertarian Mark Bliss 273 3.22% −0.90
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 3,970 72.34% +5.41
Democratic Nate Irvin 1,292 23.54% −5.66
Libertarian Herschel L. Young 226 4.12% +1.01
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 5,597 66.93%
Democratic Teresa Hensley 2,442 29.20%
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook 260 3.11%
Constitution Greg Cowan 64 0.76%

Political culture

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Like many neighboring counties, Vernon County has become increasingly Republican over the past few presidential elections. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1996 by Bill Clinton.

United States presidential election results for Vernon County, Missouri[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 7,155 77.90% 1,903 20.72% 127 1.38%
2016 6,533 75.69% 1,707 19.78% 391 4.53%
2012 5,758 67.57% 2,580 30.28% 183 2.15%
2008 5,334 60.08% 3,381 38.08% 163 1.84%
2004 5,732 63.75% 3,206 35.65% 54 0.60%
2000 4,985 59.29% 3,156 37.54% 267 3.18%
1996 3,123 40.70% 3,363 43.82% 1,188 15.48%
1992 2,851 34.34% 3,546 42.71% 1,906 22.96%
1988 4,149 54.79% 3,402 44.93% 21 0.28%
1984 5,181 63.45% 2,984 36.55% 0 0.00%
1980 4,391 51.93% 3,704 43.80% 361 4.27%
1976 3,715 42.78% 4,921 56.67% 48 0.55%
1972 4,892 61.54% 3,057 38.46% 0 0.00%
1968 3,590 45.27% 3,557 44.85% 783 9.87%
1964 3,077 34.06% 5,958 65.94% 0 0.00%
1960 5,387 56.27% 4,186 43.73% 0 0.00%
1956 5,184 53.27% 4,547 46.73% 0 0.00%
1952 5,924 56.92% 4,450 42.76% 34 0.33%
1948 3,808 41.55% 5,342 58.29% 14 0.15%
1944 5,171 51.39% 4,885 48.55% 6 0.06%
1940 5,443 46.38% 6,271 53.44% 21 0.18%
1936 4,546 39.61% 6,872 59.87% 60 0.52%
1932 2,856 29.50% 6,687 69.07% 138 1.43%
1928 5,783 60.94% 3,676 38.74% 31 0.33%
1924 3,593 38.89% 4,839 52.38% 807 8.73%
1920 4,645 45.33% 5,419 52.89% 182 1.78%
1916 2,211 35.50% 3,776 60.63% 241 3.87%
1912 1,654 26.57% 3,483 55.94% 1,089 17.49%
1908 2,369 37.48% 3,705 58.61% 247 3.91%
1904 2,450 40.51% 3,225 53.32% 373 6.17%
1900 2,356 34.24% 4,306 62.58% 219 3.18%
1896 2,230 30.03% 5,133 69.12% 63 0.85%
1892 1,847 29.09% 3,627 57.13% 875 13.78%
1888 2,252 33.99% 4,057 61.23% 317 4.78%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

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Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,434, than any candidate from either party in Vernon County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Vernon County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ History of Vernon county, Missouri. St. Louis: Brown & Co. 1887. pp. 194–196.
  4. ^ "The Nevada Daily Mail". May 11, 1960. p. 8. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  5. ^ "History". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vernon County, Missouri".
  14. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Nevada Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. ^ a b 2022 Election
  16. ^ 2012 Election
  17. ^ a b 2014 Election
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
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37°51′N 94°20′W / 37.85°N 94.34°W / 37.85; -94.34

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