Jefferson County, Missouri

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Jefferson County, Missouri
Seal of Jefferson County, Missouri
Seal
Map of Missouri highlighting Jefferson County
Location in the state of Missouri
Map of the U.S. highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded 1818
Seat Hillsboro
Largest city Arnold
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water
664.09 sq mi (1,720 km²)
656.80 sq mi (1,701 km²)
7.29 sq mi (19 km²), 1.10%
Population
 - (2012)
 - Density
222,209
335/sq mi (129.45/km²)
Website www.jeffcomo.org

Jefferson County is a county located in east central Missouri in the United States. The county was included as the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. It is the sixth most-populous county in Missouri. As of the 2012 estimate, the county's population was 220,209. [1] Its county seat is Hillsboro. The county was organized in 1818 and named in honor of former President Thomas Jefferson. Governor Mel Carnahan was killed near Goldman, Missouri in a plane crash on October 16, 2000.

Jefferson County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area and consists of many of the city's southern suburbs.

Contents

Geography [edit]

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the county has a total area of 664.09 square miles (1,720.0 km2), of which 656.80 square miles (1,701.1 km2) (or 98.90%) is land and 7.29 square miles (18.9 km2) (or 1.10%) is water.[2] Much of Jefferson County will be in the totality path of the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017.

Adjacent counties [edit]

Major highways [edit]

National Protected Area [edit]

Demographics [edit]

Historical population
Year Pop.   ±%  
2000 198,099 —    
2010 218,733 +10.4%
2012 (est) 220,209 +0.7%

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 198,099 people, 71,499 households, and 54,553 families residing in the county. The population density was 302 people per square mile (116/km²). There were 75,586 housing units at an average density of 115 per square mile (44/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.48% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Approximately 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 71,499 households out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 18.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $60,636, and the median income for a family was $66,697. Males had a median income of $37,822 versus $25,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,058. About 4.90% of families and 6.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

There were 146,316 registered voters in 2008.[4] As of Jan. 10, 2012, there were 144,660.[5]

Cities and towns [edit]

† incorporated

Education [edit]

Public Schools [edit]

  • De Soto School District 73 - De Soto
    • Early Childhood Center (PK)
    • Athena Elementary School (K-06)
    • Vineland Elementary School (K-06)
    • De Soto Jr. High School (07-08)
    • De Soto High School (09-12)
  • Fox C-6 School District - Arnold
    • Antonia Elementary School (K-06) - Imperial
    • Clyde Hamrick Elementary School (K-06) - Imperial
    • Don Earl Early Childhood Center (PK) - Arnold
    • Fox Elementary School (K-06) - Arnold
    • George Guffey Elementary School (K-06) - Fenton
    • Lone Dell Elementary School (K-06) - Arnold
    • Meramec Heights Elementary School (K-06) - Arnold
    • Raymond & Nancy Hodge Elementary School (K-06) - Imperial
    • Richard Simpson Elementary School (K-06) - Arnold
    • Rockport Heights Elementary School (K-06) - Arnold
    • Seckman Elementary School (K-06) - Imperial
    • Sherwood Elementary School (K-06) - Arnold
    • Antonia Middle School (06-08) - Barnhardt
    • Fox Middle School (07-08) - Arnold
    • Ridgewood Middle School (07-08) - Arnold
    • Seckman Middle School (07-08) - Imperial
    • Fox High School (09-12) - Arnold
    • Seckman High School (09-12) - Imperial
  • Hillsboro R-III School District - Hillsboro
    • Hillsboro Primary School (K-02)
    • Hillsboro Elementary School (03-04)
    • Hillsboro Middle School (05-06)
    • Hillsboro Jr. High School (07-08)
    • Hillsboro High School (09-12)
  • Northwest R-I School District - High Ridge
    • Brennan Woods Elementary School (K-05) - High Ridge
    • Cedar Springs Elementary School (K-05) - House Springs
    • High Ridge Elementary School (K-05) - High Ridge
    • House Springs Elementary School (K-05) - House Springs
    • Maple Grove Elementary School (K-05) - Dittmer
    • Murphy Elementary School (K-05) - High Ridge
    • Woodridge Middle School (06-08) - High Ridge
    • Valley Middle School (06-08) - House Springs
    • Northwest High School (09-12) - Cedar Hill
  • Windsor C-1 School District - Imperial
    • James E. Freer Elementary School (K-03) - Barnhart
    • Windsor Elementary School (K-02) - Imperial
    • Windsor Intermediate School (03-05) - Imperial
    • Windsor Middle School (06-08) - Imperial
    • Windsor High School (09-12) - Imperial

Private Schools [edit]

Post Secondary [edit]

ITT Technical Institute - Arnold

Jefferson College - Hillsboro A public, two-year community college.

County Parks and Recreation [edit]

  • Big River Saddle Club
  • Brown's Ford
  • Cedar Hill
  • Fletcher House
  • High Ridge Civic Center
  • Rockford Beach
  • Jefferson Winter Park
  • Minnie Ha Ha Park
  • Morse Mill
  • Pleasant Valley
  • Sunridge
  • NW Jefferson County Sports Complex

Politics [edit]

Local [edit]

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

Jefferson County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Terry Roesch Democratic
Circuit Clerk Howard Wagner Democratic
County Clerk Wes Wagner Democratic
Collector Beth Mahn Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Ken Waller Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Forrest Wegge Democratic
Public Administrator Bruce King Democratic
Recorder Debbie Dunnegan Republican
Sheriff Oliver Glenn Boyer Democratic
Treasurer Linda Nees Democratic

State [edit]

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2008 34.42% 35,947 63.87% 66,697 1.71% 1,781
2004 49.23% 45,891 49.25% 45,909 1.52% 1,424
2000 47.05% 36,060 49.33% 37,808 3.62% 2,775
1996 43.90% 28,986 52.96% 34,970 3.14% 2,077

Jefferson County is divided into seven legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives; four of which are held by Democrats and three of which are held by Republicans. Prior to the 2010 midterm elections, all seven seats were held by Democrats.

Missouri House of Representatives - District 90 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John C. McCaherty 4,980 49.09
Democratic Sam Komo 4,727 46.59
Independent Charles Smith, Jr. 438 4.32
Missouri House of Representatives - District 101 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Timothy G. Meadows 5,968 56.33
Republican Charles Huey 4,626 43.67
Missouri House of Representatives - District 102 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Wieland 5,928 50.34
Democratic Jeff Roorda 4,964 42.16
Constitution Richard Blowers 883 7.50
  • District 103 Ron Casey (D-Crystal City). Consists of all of the cities of Crystal City, Festus, Herculaneum, Horine, and Pevely.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 103 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ron Casey 6,228 51.94
Republican Bob Engelbach 5,763 48.06
Missouri House of Representatives - District 104 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph Fallert, Jr. 4,164 100.00
  • District 105 Paul Curtman (R-Pacific). Consists of the communities of Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill, and Cedar Hill Lakes.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 105 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Curtman 4,836 56.34
Democratic Michael Frame 3,748 43.66
Missouri House of Representatives - District 110 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Harris 3,670 56.05
Republican Carrie Cabral 2,878 43.95

Jefferson County is also divided into two districts in the Missouri Senate.

Missouri Senate - District 3 - Jefferson County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Engler 10,861 54.73
Democratic Dennis Riche 8,984 45.27
Missouri Senate - District 22 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ryan McKenna 27,380 52.57
Republican Greg Zotta 24,701 47.43

Federal [edit]

All of Jefferson County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented by Russ Carnahan (D-St. Louis) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Following redistricting, Jefferson County was carved up into multiple districts and will be represented by three U.S. Representatives in 2012.

U.S. House of Representatives - District 3 - Jefferson County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Martin 37,659 56.99
Democratic Russ Carnahan* 24,237 36.68
Libertarian Steven R. Hedrick 2,460 3.72
Constitution Nicholas J. Ivanovich 1,725 2.61

Political Culture [edit]

Past Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2008 47.91% 50,804 50.42% 53,467 1.67% 1,779
2004 49.99% 46,624 49.38% 46,057 0.63% 583
2000 47.62% 36,766 50.02% 38,616 2.36% 1,822
1996 36.12% 23,877 48.52% 32,073 15.36% 10,152

A predominantly suburban county, Jefferson County is fairly independent-leaning at the federal level but does have a tendency to tilt Democratic. Presidential elections in Jefferson County are almost always extremely close; George W. Bush just narrowly carried the county in 2004 by less than 600 votes and by just over a half of a percentage point. Al Gore and Barack Obama also just narrowly carried the county in 2000 and 2008, respectively. Bill Clinton, however, did manage to carry Jefferson County by double digits both times in 1992 and 1996.

Typical of the suburban culture in most counties throughout the country, voters in Jefferson County tend to be rather centrist on social issues but more liberal on economic issues. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Jefferson County with 72.56 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it narrowly passed Jefferson County with 51.85 percent voting for the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Jefferson County with 79.90 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

2008 Missouri Presidential Primary [edit]

Republican

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) won Jefferson County with 33.54 percent of the vote. Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts finished in a not-so-distant second place with 30.45 percent of the vote while former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) came in third place with 30.19 percent in Jefferson County. Libertarian-leaning U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) finished a distant fourth place with 3.94 percent of the vote in Jefferson County.

Huckabee slightly led Missouri throughout much of the evening until the precincts began reporting from St. Louis where McCain won and put him over the top of Huckabee. In the end, McCain received 32.95 percent of the vote to Huckabee’s 31.53 percent—a 1.42 percent difference. McCain received all of Missouri’s 58 delegates as the Republican Party utilizes the winner-take-all system.

Democratic

Former U.S. Senator and now Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) won Jefferson County over now President Barack Obama (D-Illinois) by an almost two-to-one margin with 61.32 percent of the vote while Obama received 35.02 percent of the vote. Although he withdrew from the race, former U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-North Carolina) still received 2.74 percent of the vote in Jefferson County. Jefferson County gave Clinton one of her strongest showings in a predominantly suburban county in the entire country.

Clinton had a large initial lead in Missouri at the beginning of the evening as the rural precincts began to report, leading several news organizations to call the state for her; however, Obama rallied from behind as the heavily African American precincts from St. Louis began to report and eventually put him over the top. In the end, Obama received 49.32 percent of the vote to Clinton’s 47.90 percent—a 1.42 percent difference. Both candidates split Missouri’s 72 delegates as the Democratic Party utilizes proportional representation.

  • Hillary Rodham Clinton received more votes, a total of 19,075, than any candidate from either party in Jefferson County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Primaries. She also received more votes than the total number of votes cast in the entire Republican Primary in Jefferson County.

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Census shows slow growth for St. Louis area in 2012". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 14, 2013. 
  2. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13. 
  3. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ Registered Voters in Missouri 2008
  5. ^ http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/countyclerks.asp# Retrieved on Feb. 7, 2012

External links [edit]

 St. Louis County
Franklin County Monroe County, Illinois
  Jefferson County, Missouri  
Washington County St. Francois County Ste. Genevieve County
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Coordinates: 38°16′N 90°32′W / 38.26°N 90.54°W / 38.26; -90.54

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