Henry County, Missouri

Coordinates: 38°23′N 93°47′W / 38.39°N 93.79°W / 38.39; -93.79
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henry County
Henry County courthouse in Clinton
Henry County courthouse in Clinton
Map of Missouri highlighting Henry County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°23′N 93°47′W / 38.39°N 93.79°W / 38.39; -93.79
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 13, 1834
Named forPatrick Henry
SeatClinton
Largest cityClinton
Area
 • Total732 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Land697 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Water35 sq mi (90 km2)  4.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total21,946
 • Density30/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.henrycomo.com

Henry County is a county located in the western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,946.[1] Its county seat is Clinton.[2] The county was organized December 13, 1834 as Rives County but was renamed in 1841 for Revolutionary War patriot Patrick Henry.[3][4] The county originally had been named after William Cabell Rives,[5] who was then serving as a U.S. Senator from Virginia. However, Rives lost popularity in Missouri after he joined the Whig Party.

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 732 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 697 square miles (1,810 km2) is land and 35 square miles (91 km2) (4.8%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Transit[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18404,726
18504,052−14.3%
18609,866143.5%
187017,40176.4%
188023,90637.4%
189028,23518.1%
190028,054−0.6%
191027,242−2.9%
192025,116−7.8%
193022,931−8.7%
194022,313−2.7%
195020,043−10.2%
196019,226−4.1%
197018,451−4.0%
198019,6726.6%
199020,0441.9%
200021,9979.7%
201022,2721.3%
202021,946−1.5%
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 21,997 people, 9,133 households, and 6,246 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.61% White, 1.02% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Approximately 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,133 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 27.70% 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 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,949, and the median income for a family was $36,328. Males had a median income of $27,932 versus $19,201 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,468. About 11.40% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census[edit]

Henry County Racial Composition[13]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 19,800 90.22%
Black or African American (NH) 177 0.8%
Native American (NH) 89 0.4%
Asian (NH) 91 0.41%
Pacific Islander (NH) 6 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,210 5.51%
Hispanic or Latino 573 2.61%

Education[edit]

Historic photo of Baird College in Clinton

Public schools[edit]

Private schools[edit]

Public libraries[edit]

  • Henry County Library[14]
  • Lenora Blackmore Branch of Henry County Library[15]

Politics[edit]

Local[edit]

The Democratic Party historically controls politics at the local level in Henry County. However, recent gains by Republicans have made Henry County a swing county.

Henry County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Scott Largent Republican
Circuit Clerk Wendi McGhee Republican
County Clerk Rick Watson Republican
Collector Maggie Stoddard Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)
Jim Stone Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)
Daniel L. Doll Democratic
Commissioner
(District 2)
Jim Talley Democratic
Coroner Dain Sisk Republican
Prosecuting Attorney LaChrisha Gray Republican
Public Administrator Allen Huff Republican
Recorder Gail Perrymann Republican
Sheriff J. Kent Oberkrom Republican
Surveyor Jacob Hann Democratic
Treasurer Maggie Stoddard Democratic

State[edit]

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 59.40% 5,582 37.51% 3,695 3.09% 304
2012 42.14% 4,277 53.85% 5,430 3.74% 377
2008 35.70% 3,935 61.79% 6,810 2.51% 277
2004 50.47% 5,471 48.29% 5,235 1.23% 134
2000 45.63% 4,420 52.36% 5,072 2.01% 194
1996 34.41% 3,135 62.70% 5,712 2.89% 263

All of Henry County is a part of Missouri's 57th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Rodger Reedy (R-Windsor), who was elected in 2018.[16]

Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Henry County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wanda Brown 6,237 64.30% +1.92
Democratic William A. Grimes 3,463 35.70% +2.03
Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Henry County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wanda Brown 3,348 62.38% +10.58
Democratic William A. Grimes 1,807 33.67% -14.53
Constitution Butch Page 212 3.95% +3.95
Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Henry County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Wanda Brown 5,012 51.80%
Democratic Don Bullock 4,664 48.20%

All of Henry County is a part of Missouri's 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Ed Emery (R-Lamar).

Missouri Senate — District 31 — Henry County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Emery 6,916 73.97% +14.28
Libertarian Lora Young 1,132 12.11% +12.11
Independent Tim Wells 1,302 13.92% +13.92
Missouri Senate — District 31 — Henry County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Emery 5,812 59.69%
Constitution Charles A. Burton 3,925 40.31%

Federal[edit]

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Henry County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 5,500 55.82% +15.28
Democratic Jason Kander 3,785 38.41% -12.63
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 310 3.15% -5.27
Green Johnathan McFarland 144 1.46% +1.46
Constitution Fred Ryman 114 1.16% +1.16
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Henry County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 4,066 40.54%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 5,119 51.04%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 844 8.42%

All of Henry 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 — Henry County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 6,927 71.30% +3.40
Democratic Gordon Christensen 2,399 24.69% -2.47
Libertarian Mark Bliss 389 4.00% -0.94
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Henry County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 3,630 67.90% +7.82
Democratic Nate Irvin 1,452 27.16% -8.39
Libertarian Herschel L. Young 264 4.94% +1.77
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Henry County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 5,970 60.08%
Democratic Teresa Hensley 3,532 35.55%
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook 315 3.17%
Constitution Greg Cowan 119 1.20%

Political culture[edit]

United States presidential election results for Henry County, Missouri[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 8,027 74.29% 2,619 24.24% 159 1.47%
2016 7,075 71.38% 2,357 23.78% 480 4.84%
2012 6,229 61.18% 3,606 35.42% 347 3.41%
2008 6,095 54.62% 4,869 43.63% 195 1.75%
2004 6,361 58.48% 4,461 41.01% 55 0.51%
2000 5,120 52.36% 4,459 45.60% 199 2.04%
1996 3,260 35.68% 4,579 50.11% 1,298 14.21%
1992 2,681 27.53% 4,232 43.45% 2,827 29.02%
1988 4,167 50.04% 4,135 49.65% 26 0.31%
1984 5,419 59.16% 3,741 40.84% 0 0.00%
1980 4,807 49.19% 4,648 47.56% 317 3.24%
1976 4,168 43.89% 5,282 55.62% 47 0.49%
1972 5,802 64.99% 3,125 35.01% 0 0.00%
1968 3,824 47.68% 3,514 43.82% 682 8.50%
1964 3,083 34.86% 5,761 65.14% 0 0.00%
1960 6,012 56.65% 4,601 43.35% 0 0.00%
1956 5,789 54.16% 4,900 45.84% 0 0.00%
1952 6,628 59.07% 4,576 40.78% 16 0.14%
1948 4,619 45.40% 5,551 54.56% 4 0.04%
1944 5,564 54.69% 4,587 45.09% 23 0.23%
1940 6,332 50.97% 6,069 48.85% 22 0.18%
1936 4,927 40.68% 7,145 59.00% 39 0.32%
1932 3,631 34.58% 6,809 64.85% 60 0.57%
1928 6,263 59.07% 4,319 40.73% 21 0.20%
1924 4,616 46.76% 4,706 47.68% 549 5.56%
1920 5,313 49.14% 5,367 49.63% 133 1.23%
1916 2,727 41.90% 3,653 56.12% 129 1.98%
1912 1,162 18.40% 3,396 53.78% 1,757 27.82%
1908 2,854 43.30% 3,577 54.27% 160 2.43%
1904 2,799 44.49% 3,222 51.22% 270 4.29%
1900 2,626 39.49% 3,777 56.81% 246 3.70%
1896 3,234 41.79% 4,442 57.41% 62 0.80%
1892 2,563 39.19% 3,475 53.13% 502 7.68%
1888 2,634 42.44% 3,289 52.99% 284 4.58%

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Villages[edit]

Census-designated place[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Henry County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 172.
  4. ^ "Chronology of Henry County - 1830s". Truman Area Community Network. Henry County Library. Archived from the original on November 25, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  5. ^ "Disappearing Missouri Names". The Kansas City Star. March 19, 1911. p. 15. Retrieved August 15, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 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 16, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 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) – Henry County, Missouri".
  14. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Henry County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Lenora Blackmore Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  16. ^ "Representative Rodger Reedy".
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.

Further reading[edit]

  • Lamkin, Uel. A History of Henry County, Missouri (1919) full text

External links[edit]

38°23′N 93°47′W / 38.39°N 93.79°W / 38.39; -93.79