Greene County, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Greene County is a county located in Southwest Missouri
. As of 2010, the population was 275,174 making it the fourth most populated county in Missouri. Its county seat
is Springfield
. The county was organized in 1833 and is named after American Revolutionary War
General Nathanael Greene
.
Greene County is part of the Springfield
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
of 2000, there were 240,391 people, 97,859 households, and 61,846 families residing in the county. The population density
was 356 people per square mile (138/km²). There were 104,517 housing units at an average density of 155 per square mile (60/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.54% White, 2.26% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races
, and 1.68% from two or more races. Approximately 1.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 97,859 households out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples
living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.80% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 13.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,185, and the median income for a family was $56,047. Males had a median income of $30,672 versus $21,987 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $25,770. About 7.60% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
There are 190,417 registered voters in Greene County.
.
Greene County is divided into eight legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives
with six seats being held by Republicans and two being held by Democrats.
Greene County is also divided into two districts in the Missouri Senate
, both represented by Republicans.
, Greene County is a part of Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R-Strafford).
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Greene County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Although the county contains the urban Springfield and Missouri State University, the county is located in the heart of the Bible Belt where voters tend to be very socially conservative and therefore more amendable to voting Republican. George W. Bush
carried Greene County in 2000
and 2004
by almost two-to-one margins, and like many other counties throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, Greene County favored John McCain
over Barack Obama
in 2008
. The last Democratic presidential nominee to win Greene County was Lyndon B. Johnson
in 1964.
Like most areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Greene County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman
—it overwhelmingly passed Greene County with 72.04 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 failed in Greene County with 51.62 percent voting against 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
. Despite Greene County’s longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist
causes like increasing the minimum wage
. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Greene County with 74.41 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.
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. As of 2010, the population was 275,174 making it the fourth most populated county in Missouri. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
. The county was organized in 1833 and is named after American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
General Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
.
Greene County is part of the Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area
The Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield - the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Nixa, Ozark,...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 677.8 square miles (1,755.5 km²), of which 674.97 square miles (1,748.2 km²) (or 99.58%) is land and 2.82 square miles (7.3 km²) (or 0.42%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Polk CountyPolk County, MissouriPolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 31,137. Its county seat is Bolivar.Polk County is part of the Springfield, Missouri, Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
(north) - Dallas County (northeast)
- Webster CountyWebster County, MissouriWebster County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 31,045. The population in 2010 was 36,202. Its county seat is Marshfield. The county was organized in 1855 and named for U.S. Senator and U.S...
(east) - Christian CountyChristian County, MissouriChristian County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. The county had a population of 54,285 in 2000 census. According to the 2010 census, the county's population is 77,422 , making it the fastest growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest growing in the nation as the county becomes...
(south) - Lawrence County (southwest)
- Dade County (northwest)
Public schools
- Ash Grove R-IV School District - Ash GroveAsh Grove, MissouriAsh Grove is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,532 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Ash Grove is located at ....
- Ash Grove Elementary School - (PK-06)
- Bois D'Arc Elementary School - (K-06) - Bois D'ArcBois D'Arc, MissouriBois D'Arc is an unincorporated community in Greene County, Missouri, United States, about fifteen miles northwest of Springfield. It was founded in 1881 around an already existing post office of the same name. There had been a previous town named Bois D'Arc near the location, and the current...
- Ash Grove High School - (07-12)
- Fair Grove R-X School District - Fair GroveFair Grove, MissouriFair Grove is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,411 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Fair Grove is located at ....
- Fair Grove Elementary School - (K-04)
- Fair Grove Middle School - (05-08)
- Fair Grove High School - (09-12)
- Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District - RogersvilleRogersville, MissouriRogersville is a city in Greene and Webster Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 3,071 as of 2009. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Rogersville is located at ....
- Logan-Rogersville Primary School - (K-01)
- Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary School - (02-05)
- Logan-Rogersville Middle School - (06-08)
- Logan-Rogersville High School (09-12)
- Republic R-III School District - RepublicRepublic, MissouriRepublic is a city in Christian and Greene counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 14,751 according to the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- Republic Kindergarten School - (K)
- Republic Elementary School I - (01-02)
- Republic Elementary School II - (03-04)
- Republic Elementary School III - (05-06)
- Republic Middle School - (07-08)
- Republic High School - (09-12)
- Springfield R-XII School District - SpringfieldSpringfield, MissouriSpringfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
- Shady Dell Early Childhood Center - (PK) - Springfield
- York Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Williams Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Wilder Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Westport Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Weller Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Weaver Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Watkins Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Truman Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Sunshine Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Sherwood Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Sequiota Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Rountree Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Robberson Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Portland Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Pleasant View Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Pittman Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Pershing Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- McGregor Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- McBride Elementary School - (K-04) - Springfield
- Mark Twain Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Walt Disney Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Jeffries Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Horace Mann Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Holland Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Hickory Hills Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Gray Elementary School - (K-04) - Springfield
- Fremont Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Field Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Delaware Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Cowden Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Campbell Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Boyd Elementary School - (PK-05) - Springfield
- Bowerman Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Bissett Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Bingham Elementary School - (K-05) - Springfield
- Wilson's Creek 5-6 Intermediate Center - (05-06) - BattlefieldBattlefield, MissouriBattlefield is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,385 at the 2000 census, but is a fast growing community with approximately 5000 residents as of 2010. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town has no post office of its own,...
- Study Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Reed Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Pleasant View Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Pipkin Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Pershing Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Jarrett Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Hickory Hills Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Cherokee Middle School - (07-08) - Springfield
- Carver Middle School - (06-08) - Springfield
- Parkview High School - (09-12) - Springfield
- Kickapoo High School - (09-12) - Springfield
- Hillcrest High School - (09-12) - Springfield
- Glendale High School - (09-12) - Springfield
- Central High School - (09-12) - Springfield
- Strafford R-VI School District - StraffordStrafford, MissouriStrafford is a city in eastern Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population is 2,211 at the 2009 census, a small 2% of the population is African American and only .5% is Hispanic. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Strafford Elementary School - (K-04)
- Strafford Middle School - (05-08)
- Strafford High School - (09-12)
- Walnut Grove R-V School District - Walnut GroveWalnut Grove, MissouriWalnut Grove is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 667 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Walnut Grove is located at ....
- Walnut Grove Preschool (PK)
- Walnut Grove Elementary School - (K-06)
- Walnut Grove High School - (07-12)
- Willard R-II School District - WillardWillard, MissouriWillard is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,288 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.Willard's main east-west road, U.S...
- Willard North Elementary School - (PK-04) - Willard
- Willard East Elementary School - (K-04) - Willard
- Willard South Elementary School - (PK-04) - Springfield
- Willard Central Elementary School - (K-04) - Springfield
- Willard Intermediate School - (05-06) - Willard
- Willard Middle School - (07-08) - Willard
- Willard High School - (09-12) - Willard
Private schools
- Christian Schools of Springfield - (PK-12) - Springfield - BaptistBaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
- Grace Classical Academy - (PK-12) - Springfield - Nondenominational Christianity
- Greenwood Laboratory School - (K-12) - Springfield - Nonsectarian
- Immaculate Conception School - (PK-8) - Springfield - Roman CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
- New Covenant Academy - (PK-12) - Springfield - Nondenominatonal Christianity
- Springfield Catholic High School - (09-12) - Springfield - Roman CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
- Springfield Lutheran School - (PS-8) - Springfield - Lutheran MO Synod
- St. Agnus Cathedral School - (PK-8) - Springfield - Roman CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School - (PK-5) - Springfield - Roman CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Alternative/Other Schools
- Bailey Educational Center - (09-12) - Springfield - Alternative/Other School
- Community Learning Center - (06-12) - Springfield - Alternative/Other School
- Datema House - (05-12) - Springfield - Alternative/Other School
- Excel School - (06-12) - Springfield - Alternative/Other School
- Graff Career Center - (09-12) - Springfield - Vocational/Technical School
- Greene County Special Education Cooperative - (K-12) - Republic - Special Education
- Greene Valley - Springfield - Special Education
- Phelps Gifted Center - (01-12) - Springfield - Alternative/Other School/Gifted Education
- Wilson Creek Group Home - (06-12) - Springfield - Alternative/Other School
Colleges & Universities
- Missouri State University - Springfield - Formerly known as Southwest Missouri State University - A public, four-year university.
- Evangel University - Springfield - A private, four-year Pentecostal liberal arts university.
- Drury University - Springfield - A private, four-year liberal arts university.
- Bible Baptist College - Springfield - A private, conservative Bible college owned by the Baptist Bible Fellowship International
- Ozarks Technical Community College: Allied Health - Springfield - A public, two-year community college.
- Everest College - Springfield - A public, four-year for-profit Corinthian college.
Major highways
-
Interstate 44 -
U.S. Route 60 -
U.S. Route 65 -
U.S. Route 66 (1926–1979) -
U.S. Route 160 -
Route 13 -
Route 125 -
Route 266 -
Route 360 -
Route 413 -
Route 744
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 240,391 people, 97,859 households, and 61,846 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 356 people per square mile (138/km²). There were 104,517 housing units at an average density of 155 per square mile (60/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.54% White, 2.26% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.68% from two or more races. Approximately 1.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 97,859 households out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.80% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 13.80% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,185, and the median income for a family was $56,047. Males had a median income of $30,672 versus $21,987 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $25,770. About 7.60% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
There are 190,417 registered voters in Greene County.
Cities and towns
|
Fair Grove, Missouri Fair Grove is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,411 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Fair Grove is located at .... Logan, Greene County, Missouri Logan is a small unincorporated community in southeastern Greene County, Missouri, United States. It is located five miles west of Rogersville and is not located on a highway. It is one mile north of U.S. Route 60 and one mile west of Route 125. Numerous homes and a school are located there... Mission Hills -California:* Mission Hills, California, in Santa Barbara County* Mission Hills, Los Angeles, a community within Los Angeles* Mission Hills, San Diego, an old subdivision in north-central San Diego-Elsewhere:* Mission Hills, Kansas, in Johnson County... Oak Grove Heights, Missouri Oak Grove Heights is an unincorporated community in Greene County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Route 125 about five miles northwest of Rogersville. For many years, it was a residential community, but businesses have begun to move into the community... Plano, Missouri Plano is an unincorporated community on former U.S. Route 66, now Route 266 in Greene County, Missouri, United States. It was the site of a casket factory, which burned down; it has only one house at the current site.... |
Republic, Missouri Republic is a city in Christian and Greene counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 14,751 according to the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... Rogersville, Missouri Rogersville is a city in Greene and Webster Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population is 3,071 as of 2009. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Rogersville is located at .... Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of... Strafford, Missouri Strafford is a city in eastern Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population is 2,211 at the 2009 census, a small 2% of the population is African American and only .5% is Hispanic. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
Turners, Missouri Turners is a small unincorporated community in Greene County, Missouri, United States. It lies about five miles east of Springfield at the intersection of Route D and Route J. At one time it was a passenger stop along the railway... Walnut Grove, Missouri Walnut Grove is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 667 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Walnut Grove is located at .... Willard, Missouri Willard is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,288 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.Willard's main east-west road, U.S... |
Fire departments and districts
Republic and Springfield have city fire departments. Additionally, the county is served by the following fire districts:- Ash Grove
- Battlefield
- BillingsBillings, MissouriBillings is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,143 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Billings is located at ....
- Brookline
- Ebenezer
- Fair Grove
- Logan-Rogersville
- Pleasant View http://www.pleasant-viewfire.org/
- Strafford
- Walnut Grove
- West Republic
- Willard
Local
Politics at the local level in Greene County is completely controlled by the Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
| Office | Incumbent | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Assessor | Rick Kessinger | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Cindy S. Stein | Susan G. Yarnell | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Circuit Clerk | Steve Helms | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Clerk | Richard T. Struckhoff | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Collector | Scott Payne | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Commissioner – District 1 | Harold Bengsch | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Commissioner – District 2 | Roseanne Bentley | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Presiding Commissioner | Jim Viebrock | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Dan Patterson | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Public Administrator | David Yancey | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Recorder | Linda S. Montgomery | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Sheriff | Jim Arnott | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Treasurer | John R. Hoffman | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
State
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Third Parties Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008 -Polling:-Results:-See also:* U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2008* Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004* Missouri Lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2008-External links:* from the Missouri Secretary of State* at Project Vote Smart... |
42.84% 57,565 | 54.45% 73,164 | 2.71% 3,641 |
| 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004 The 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election took place on 2 November 2004 for the post of Governor of Missouri. Missouri Secretary of State Republican Matt Blunt defeated State Auditor Democrat Claire McCaskill... |
61.45% 76,645 | 37.25% 46,470 | 1.30% 1,621 |
| 2000 | 53.57% 54,770 | 44.61% 45,612 | 1.82% 1,861 |
| 1996 | 51.63% 49,991 | 45.08% 43,646 | 3.29% 3,189 |
Greene County is divided into eight legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
with six seats being held by Republicans and two being held by Democrats.
- District 134 - Rep. Thomas Long (R-Battlefield). In 2010, Long ran against Mark Stuppy and James Green and was elected with 48% of the votes.
- District 135 – Rep. Charles W. Denison (R-Springfield). In 2008, Denison defeated Democratic challenger Nancy Hagan 56.22-43.78%.
- District 136 – Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield). In 2008, Burlison defeated Democratic challenger Nick Beatty 57.88-42.12%.
- District 137 – Rep. Charlie Norr (D-Springfield). In 2008, Norr defeated Republican challenger Ronald D. Day 65.22-34.78%.
- District 138 – Rep. Sara Lampe (D-Springfield). In 2008, Lampe defeated Republican challenger Michael S. Goodart, Jr. 61.75-38.25%.
- District 139 – Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard). In 2008, Schoeller defeated Democratic challenger Janet Adams 69.20-30.80%.
- District 140 - Rep. Bob Dixon (R-Springfield). In 2008, Dixon ran unopposed and was reelected with 100% of the vote.
- District 145 - Rep. Mike Cunningham (R-Rogersville). In 2008, Cunningham ran unopposed and was reelected with 100% of the vote.
Greene County is also divided into two districts in the Missouri Senate
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
, both represented by Republicans.
- District 20: State SenatorMissouri SenateThe Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
Jay Wasson (R-Nixa). In 2010, Wasson defeated Democratic challenger Terry Traw with 78% of the total vote in the district. The 20th Senatorial District consists of ChristianChristian County, MissouriChristian County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. The county had a population of 54,285 in 2000 census. According to the 2010 census, the county's population is 77,422 , making it the fastest growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest growing in the nation as the county becomes...
, DouglasDouglas County, MissouriDouglas County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,684. The largest city and county seat is Ava. The county was officially organized on October 29, 1857, and is named after U.S. Senator Stephen A...
, WebsterWebster County, MissouriWebster County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 31,045. The population in 2010 was 36,202. Its county seat is Marshfield. The county was organized in 1855 and named for U.S. Senator and U.S...
and parts of Greene counties in Southwest Missouri. - District 30: State SenatorMissouri SenateThe Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
Norma Champion (R-Springfield). In 2006, Champion defeated Democratic challenger Doug Harpool with 57.45% of the total vote while Harpool received 42.55%. The 30th Senatorial District is entirely within Greene County.
Federal
In the U.S. House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, Greene County is a part of Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R-Strafford).
Political culture
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Third Parties Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 57.06% 77,683 | 41.26% 56,181 | 1.68% 2,283 |
| 2004 | 62.18% 77,885 | 37.25% 46,657 | 0.58% 724 |
| 2000 | 57.50% 59,178 | 39.92% 41,091 | 2.58% 2,657 |
| 1996 | 49.60% 48,193 | 40.45% 39,300 | 9.95% 9,671 |
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Greene County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. Although the county contains the urban Springfield and Missouri State University, the county is located in the heart of the Bible Belt where voters tend to be very socially conservative and therefore more amendable to voting Republican. George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
carried Greene County in 2000
United States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
and 2004
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
by almost two-to-one margins, and like many other counties throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, Greene County favored John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
over Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in 2008
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
. The last Democratic presidential nominee to win Greene County was Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
in 1964.
Like most areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Greene County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2004)
Constitutional Amendment 2 of 2004 is an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that prohibited same-sex marriages from being conducted or recognized in Missouri. The Amendment passed via public referendum on August 3, 2004 with 71% of voters supporting and 29% opposing. Every county voted in...
—it overwhelmingly passed Greene County with 72.04 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
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2006)
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 is a state constitutional amendment initiative that concerns stem cell research and human cloning in Missouri...
—it narrowly failed in Greene County with 51.62 percent voting against 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
Embryonic stem cell
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, an early-stage embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4–5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50–150 cells...
. Despite Greene County’s longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
causes like increasing the minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Greene County with 74.41 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.
Missouri Presidential Preference Primary (2008)
Voters in Greene County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.- Although a conservative/Republican stronghold, former U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
(D-New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) still received more votes, a total of 18,322, than any candidate from either party in Greene County during the 2008 presidential primary.
See also
- List of counties in Missouri
- Missouri census statistical areasMissouri census statistical areasThe United States Census Bureau has defined 3 Combined Statistical Areas , 8 Metropolitan Statistical Areas , and 20 Micropolitan Statistical Areas in the State of Missouri...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Greene County, Missouri
External links
- Greene County government's website
- Information about Springfield, MO
- Greene County message board
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Greene County from University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books