Polk County, Missouri
Polk County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,519.[1] Its county seat is Bolivar.[2] The county was organized January 5, 1835,[3] and named for Ezekiel Polk.
Polk County | |
|---|---|
Polk County Courthouse in Bolivar | |
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 37°37′N 93°24′W / 37.62°N 93.4°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Founded | March 13, 1835 |
| Named for | Ezekiel Polk |
| Seat | Bolivar |
| Largest city | Bolivar |
| Area | |
| • Total | 642 sq mi (1,660 km2) |
| • Land | 636 sq mi (1,650 km2) |
| • Water | 6.9 sq mi (18 km2) 1.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 31,519 |
| • Density | 49/sq mi (19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Polk County is part of the Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History edit
Polk County was separated and organized from Greene County on January 5, 1835. A supplement to the boundary change was made on March 13, 1835.[3][4] Its original boundaries were later reduced in creating Dade, Dallas, and Hickory counties. It was named in honor of Col. Ezekiel Polk of Tennessee, a soldier who served under General George Washington and who was the grandfather of John Polk Campbell and Ezekiel Madison Campbell, brothers who helped to settle Polk and Greene counties.[5] Ezekiel Polk was also the grandfather of James K. Polk, who was a member of the US House of Representatives in 1835. He was elected President of the United States in 1844.[6]
Geography edit
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 636 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (1.1%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties edit
- Hickory County (north)
- Dallas County (east)
- Greene County (south)
- Dade County (southwest)
- Cedar County (west)
- St. Clair County (northwest)
Major highways edit
Transit edit
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 8,449 | — | |
| 1850 | 6,186 | −26.8% | |
| 1860 | 9,995 | 61.6% | |
| 1870 | 12,445 | 24.5% | |
| 1880 | 15,734 | 26.4% | |
| 1890 | 20,339 | 29.3% | |
| 1900 | 23,255 | 14.3% | |
| 1910 | 21,561 | −7.3% | |
| 1920 | 20,351 | −5.6% | |
| 1930 | 17,803 | −12.5% | |
| 1940 | 17,400 | −2.3% | |
| 1950 | 16,062 | −7.7% | |
| 1960 | 13,753 | −14.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,415 | 12.1% | |
| 1980 | 18,822 | 22.1% | |
| 1990 | 21,826 | 16.0% | |
| 2000 | 26,992 | 23.7% | |
| 2010 | 31,137 | 15.4% | |
| 2020 | 31,519 | 1.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010[12] | |||
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 26,992 people, 9,917 households, and 7,140 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 inhabitants per square mile (16/km2). There were 11,183 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.26% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Approximately 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,917 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 12.60% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,656, and the median income for a family was $35,843. Males had a median income of $25,383 versus $18,799 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,645. About 11.10% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.
2020 Census edit
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 28,682 | 91% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 242 | 0.76% |
| Native American (NH) | 190 | 0.6% |
| Asian (NH) | 131 | 0.42% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 4 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,479 | 4.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 791 | 2.51% |
Education edit
Public libraries edit
- Polk County Public Library[15]
Media edit
The Bolivar Herald-Free Press is published twice weekly.
Communities edit
Cities edit
- Bolivar (county seat)
- Fair Play
- Humansville
- Morrisville
- Pleasant Hope
Villages edit
- Aldrich
- Flemington
- Goodnight, from 2003 to 2016
- Halfway
Unincorporated communities edit
Townships edit
Polk County is divided into 22 townships:
- Campbell Township
- Cliquot Township
- East Looney Township
- East Madison Township
- Flemington Township
- Jackson Township
- Jefferson Township
- Johnson Township
- McKinley Township
- Mooney Township
- North Benton Township
- North Green Township
- Northeast Marion Township
- Northwest Marion Township
- South Benton Township
- South Green Township
- Southeast Marion Township
- Southwest Marion Township
- Union Township
- West Looney Township
- West Madison Township
- Wishart Township
Politics edit
This section needs to be updated. (April 2023) |
Local edit
The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Polk County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.
| Polk County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Rita Lemmon | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Tiffany Phillips | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Rachel Lightfoot | Republican | |
| Collector | Rachel Boyce | Republican | |
| Commissioner (Presiding) | Shannon Hancock | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 1) | Kyle Legan | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 2) | Melinda Robertson | Republican | |
| Coroner | Jeff Witt | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Keaton Ashlock | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Barbara Davolt | Republican | |
| Recorder | Carol Poindexter | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Danny Morrison | Republican | |
| Surveyor | Kevin Nelson | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Shirley Allison | Republican | |
State edit
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 81.7% 12,319 | 16.4% 2,475 | 1.9% 278 |
| 2016 | 66.92% 9,251 | 30.15% 4,168 | 2.92% 404 |
| 2012 | 53.89% 7,052 | 43.15% 5,647 | 2.96% 388 |
| 2008 | 45.76% 6,244 | 49.52% 6,758 | 4.72% 644 |
| 2004 | 67.84% 8,418 | 30.90% 3,835 | 1.56% 1.26 |
| 2000 | 58.65% 5,996 | 39.79% 4,068 | 1.55% 159 |
| 1996 | 55.64% 5,043 | 40.51% 3,672 | 3.85% 349 |
All of Polk County is in the 128th district in the Missouri House of Representatives, and is represented by Mike Stephens (R-Bolivar).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Stephens | 11,500 | 85.48% | -14.52 | |
| Independent | Janet Sheffield | 1,953 | 14.52% | +14.52 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sue Entichler | 5,903 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sue Entlicher | 11,744 | 100.00% | ||
All of Polk County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the Missouri Senate, which is currently vacant. The previous incumbent, Mike Parson, was elected Missouri Lieutenant Governor in November 2016.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Parson | 5,832 | 100.00% | ||
Federal edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 9,693 | 69.93% | +17.50 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 3,605 | 26.01% | -14.35 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 327 | 2.36% | -4.85 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 107 | 0.77% | +0.77 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 129 | 0.93% | +0.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 6,789 | 52.43% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 5,226 | 40.36% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 933 | 7.21% | ||
All of Polk county is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R-Springfield) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 10,170 | 74.34% | +6.06 | |
| Democratic | Genevieve Williams | 2,880 | 21.05% | -2.42 | |
| Libertarian | Benjamin T. Brixey | 630 | 4.61% | -3.64 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 4,442 | 68.28% | +1.25 | |
| Democratic | Jim Evans | 1,527 | 23.47% | -4.21 | |
| Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 537 | 8.25% | +2.95 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Billy Long | 8,631 | 67.03% | ||
| Democratic | Jim Evans | 3,564 | 27.68% | ||
| Libertarian | Kevin Craig | 682 | 5.30% | ||
Political culture edit
Polk County has been a Republican Party stronghold for most of its history at the presidential level. In only four presidential elections from 1896 to the present has a Democratic Party candidate carried the county, the most recent being Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 11,850 | 78.49% | 2,885 | 19.11% | 363 | 2.40% |
| 2016 | 10,438 | 75.84% | 2,631 | 19.12% | 694 | 5.04% |
| 2012 | 9,252 | 70.52% | 3,580 | 27.29% | 287 | 2.19% |
| 2008 | 8,956 | 65.39% | 4,553 | 33.24% | 188 | 1.37% |
| 2004 | 8,586 | 68.95% | 3,775 | 30.31% | 92 | 0.74% |
| 2000 | 6,430 | 62.46% | 3,606 | 35.03% | 258 | 2.51% |
| 1996 | 4,521 | 49.74% | 3,307 | 36.38% | 1,261 | 13.87% |
| 1992 | 3,465 | 39.94% | 3,316 | 38.22% | 1,894 | 21.83% |
| 1988 | 5,030 | 59.39% | 3,419 | 40.37% | 21 | 0.25% |
| 1984 | 5,467 | 65.98% | 2,819 | 34.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 4,842 | 57.86% | 3,336 | 39.87% | 190 | 2.27% |
| 1976 | 3,893 | 51.29% | 3,663 | 48.26% | 34 | 0.45% |
| 1972 | 5,409 | 70.67% | 2,245 | 29.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,145 | 59.82% | 2,170 | 31.32% | 614 | 8.86% |
| 1964 | 3,288 | 49.51% | 3,353 | 50.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,849 | 66.52% | 2,440 | 33.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 4,410 | 59.77% | 2,968 | 40.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 5,263 | 67.81% | 2,474 | 31.88% | 24 | 0.31% |
| 1948 | 4,026 | 56.65% | 3,079 | 43.32% | 2 | 0.03% |
| 1944 | 5,040 | 66.45% | 2,527 | 33.32% | 18 | 0.24% |
| 1940 | 5,534 | 61.98% | 3,380 | 37.86% | 14 | 0.16% |
| 1936 | 5,126 | 56.65% | 3,899 | 43.09% | 23 | 0.25% |
| 1932 | 3,811 | 46.40% | 4,355 | 53.03% | 47 | 0.57% |
| 1928 | 5,307 | 69.63% | 2,303 | 30.22% | 12 | 0.16% |
| 1924 | 4,097 | 56.19% | 3,033 | 41.60% | 161 | 2.21% |
| 1920 | 4,967 | 62.82% | 2,847 | 36.01% | 93 | 1.18% |
| 1916 | 2,613 | 53.79% | 2,149 | 44.24% | 96 | 1.98% |
| 1912 | 1,802 | 39.04% | 1,935 | 41.92% | 879 | 19.04% |
| 1908 | 2,670 | 54.43% | 2,139 | 43.61% | 96 | 1.96% |
| 1904 | 2,659 | 56.88% | 1,807 | 38.65% | 209 | 4.47% |
| 1900 | 2,679 | 53.59% | 2,178 | 43.57% | 142 | 2.84% |
| 1896 | 2,564 | 48.32% | 2,711 | 51.09% | 31 | 0.58% |
| 1892 | 1,918 | 45.98% | 1,211 | 29.03% | 1,042 | 24.98% |
| 1888 | 2,100 | 48.97% | 1,794 | 41.84% | 394 | 9.19% |
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008) edit
Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 2,317, than any candidate from either party in Polk County during the 2008 presidential primary.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Polk County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Laws of a public and general nature of the State of Missouri passed between the years 1824 & 1836" Volume II, published 1842, pg. 432-433 https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/molaws/id/42050/rec/3
- ^ "History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri." published 1889, Goodspeed Publishing, page 286
- ^ “Polk County Classics, a Sesquicentennial Photograph Album, 1835-1985” by George Francis Hooper and James C. Sterling, published 1985, page 4 “History and Families of Polk County, Missouri” published 2002 by the Polk County Genealogical Society, Inc. page 8
- ^ "POLK, James Knox | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives".
- ^ . United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ . United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Missouri".
- ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Polk County Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
External links edit
- http://www.bolivarmonews.com/
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Polk County August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
- Polk County Sheriff's Office