Ozark County, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Ozark County is a county located in South Central Missouri
in the United States
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census
, the county's population was 9,542. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,227. The largest city and county seat
is Gainesville
. From 1843 to 1845 the county was called Decatur County, after Commodore Stephen Decatur
. The county was eventually renamed to Ozark County after the Ozark Mountains and was officially organized on January 29, 1841.
of 2000, there were 9,542 people, 3,950 households, and 2,855 families residing in the county. The population density
was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 5,114 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.57% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.19% from other races
, and 1.36% from two or more races. Approximately 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Ozark County were 28.6% American
, 15.9% German, 12.1% English
, and 11.4% Irish
, according to Census 2000.
There were 3,950 households out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples
living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 28.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,508, and the median income for a family was $36,622. Males had a median income of $21,685 versus $17,312 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,302. About 16.10% of families and 21.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.80% of those under age 18 and 17.20% of those age 65 or over.
or higher while 8.3% holds a bachelor's degree
or higher as their highest educational attainment.
with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Ozark County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists
(25.79%), Churches of Christ (24.83%), and Pentecostals
(17.07%).
. In fact, all but one of Ozark County’s elected officeholders are Republicans.
In the Missouri House of Representatives
, all of Ozark County is a part of Missouri’s 143rd District and was represented by Maynard Wallace (R-Thornfield
). Wallace was term limited and finished out his last term. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Lyle Rowland in the next legislative session in January 2011.
In the Missouri Senate
, all of Ozark County is a part of Missouri's 29th District and is currently represented by State Senator
Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon
). Goodman ran unopposed in 2008 and was reelected with 100 percent of the vote. The 29th Senatorial District consists of Barry
, Lawrence, McDonald
, Ozark, Stone
, and Taney
counties.
, Ozark County is represented by Jo Ann Emerson
(R-Cape Girardeau) who represents all of Southeast Missouri as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Ozark County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush
carried Ozark County in 2000
and 2004
by convincing two-to-one margins. Like many other rural counties throughout Missouri, Ozark County favored John McCain
over Barack Obama
in 2008
. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Ozark County in over 50 years.
Like most rural areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Ozark County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
principles which tend to 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 Ozark County with 82.18 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 Ozark County with 51.07 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 Ozark 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 Ozark County with 76.94 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the county's population was 9,542. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,227. The largest city and 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 Gainesville
Gainesville, Missouri
Gainesville is a city in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. The population was 632 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ozark County .Gainesville is the current home of blues recording artist Iron Mike Norton.-Geography:...
. From 1843 to 1845 the county was called Decatur County, after Commodore Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
. The county was eventually renamed to Ozark County after the Ozark Mountains and was officially organized on January 29, 1841.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 755.07 square miles (1,955.6 km²), of which 742.15 square miles (1,922.2 km²) (or 98.29%) is land and 12.92 square miles (33.5 km²) (or 1.71%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Douglas CountyDouglas 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...
(north) - Howell CountyHowell County, MissouriHowell 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 40,400. The largest city and county seat is West Plains...
(east) - Fulton County, Arkansas (southeast)
- Baxter County, ArkansasBaxter County, ArkansasBaxter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It is in the northern part of the state, and shares a border with Missouri. It is commonly referred to as the Twin Lakes Area because it is bordered by two of Arkansas' largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake...
(south) - Marion County, Arkansas (southwest)
- Taney CountyTaney County, MissouriTaney County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 39,703. In the 2010 census the counties population was 51,675 Its county seat is Forsyth....
(west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 160
Route 5
Route 95
Route 181
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 9,542 people, 3,950 households, and 2,855 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 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 5,114 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.57% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.19% 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 1.36% from two or more races. Approximately 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Ozark County were 28.6% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 15.9% German, 12.1% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, and 11.4% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, according to Census 2000.
There were 3,950 households out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% 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, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 28.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,508, and the median income for a family was $36,622. Males had a median income of $21,685 versus $17,312 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 $17,302. About 16.10% of families and 21.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.80% of those under age 18 and 17.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Foil, Missouri Foil, Missouri is an unincorporated community in northern Ozark County. It is about sixteen miles south of Ava on a county road.It formerly had a post office with ZIP code 65661, but mail is now served by the post office in Squires. Its postmaster was Irving Terry, who also ran the General Store.... Gainesville, Missouri Gainesville is a city in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. The population was 632 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ozark County .Gainesville is the current home of blues recording artist Iron Mike Norton.-Geography:... Hammond, Missouri Hammond is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is located on a county road about twelve miles northwest of Gainesville. Its post office is closed, mail is now served by Thornfield.... Hardenville, Missouri Hardenville is an unincorporated community in eastern Ozark County, Missouri. It is on U.S. Highway 160 about five miles east of Gainesville.... Howards Ridge, Missouri Howards Ridge is an unincorporated community in southeastern Ozark County, Missouri. It is located seven miles southeast of Gainesville.... Isabella, Missouri Isabella is a small, unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is located about thirteen miles west of Gainesville on U.S. Highway 160.... |
Longrun, Missouri Longrun is an unincorporated community in western Ozark County, Missouri. It is located on Route 95 about fourteen miles west of Gainesville. Its post office closed and mail is now served by Theodosia.... Lutie, Missouri Lutie is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri, USA. It is located at the southern terminus of Route 95 on U.S. Route 160 about three miles west of Theodosia.-Notable people:... Mammoth, Missouri Mammoth is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. Mammoth is located along Supplemental Route T south-southeast of Gainesville. The name Mammoth came into official use with the establishment of the Mammoth Post Office in 1903 by the local post master, William Dye.... Noble, Missouri Noble is a small unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is located on Route A, one miles west of Route 5, twelve miles northwest of Gainesville.... Nottinghill, Missouri Nottinghill is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is on Missouri Supplemental Route Z nine miles northwest of Gainesville. It once had a post office and ZIP Code, but mail is now from Thornfield.... Ocie, Missouri Ocie is an unincorporated community in western Ozark County, Missouri. It is located on U.S. Highway 160 twenty-one miles west of Gainesville. Its mail comes from Theodosia. The community was founded in 1907 and is named for resident Ocie Conklin.... Pontiac, Missouri Pontiac is an unincorporated community in southern Ozark County, Missouri, about ten miles southwest of Gainesville. It is located on Bull Shoals Lake. The assumption is the town was named after the Indian chief, Pontiac. The town consists of a post office, two or three "resorts," a restaurant, a... |
Rockbridge, Missouri Rockbridge is an unincorporated community in northern Ozark County, Missouri. It is the site of an old mill on spring fed Spring Creek a tributary of Bryant Creek, which still houses the post office. It is twelve miles north of Gainesville off Route 95. The town was founded in the 19th century... Romance, Missouri Romance is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri, in the United States. It is located about nine miles north of Gainesville.... Souder, Missouri Souder is an unincorporated community in northern Ozark County, Missouri. It is thirteen miles north of Gainesville and is located on a county road off Route 95. The post office closed in the 1990s, mail is now served by Wasola.... Sundown, Missouri Sundown is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. The population was 38 at the 2000 census. Sundown was a village until 2000, when the community disincorporated.-Geography:Sundown is located at .... Sycamore, Missouri Sycamore is an unincorporated community in eastern Ozark County, Missouri. It is located on Route 181 about fourteen miles northeast of Gainesville. The community was founded in 1891 and is named after the American sycamore tree.... Tecumseh, Missouri Tecumseh is an unincorporated community in eastern Ozark County, Missouri. It is located on Norfork Lake about ten miles east of Gainesville on U.S. Highway 160. It was named for Tecumseh, a Shawnee Indian chief who settled in the general area.... |
Theodosia, Missouri Theodosia is a village in Ozark County, Missouri, USA. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Theodosia is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.5 square miles , of which, 1.4 square miles of it is land and... Thornfield, Missouri Thornfield is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is sixteen miles northwest of Gainesville. It is located on Route 95 at the Little North Fork of the White River.... Trail, Missouri Trail, Missouri is an unincorporated community in northern Ozark County. It is located about twenty-two miles northeast of Gainesville on a county road at Trail Creek. It formerly had its own post office with a ZIP code of 65763, but mail is now served by the post office in Drury about fifteen... Udall, Missouri Udall is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri about twelve miles southeast of Gainesville. It is near Norfork Lake and a state park is located there.... Wasola, Missouri Wasola is an unincorporated community in northern Ozark County, Missouri. It is sixteen miles north of Gainesville on Route 5 at the northern intersection with Route 95. A few businesses and homes are located there. The community was founded in 1912 and has an unknown derivation, according to... Willhoit, Missouri Willhoit is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is located about eight miles north of Gainesville on Route 5.... |
Zanoni, Missouri Zanoni is an unincorporated community located in Ozark County, Missouri on Route 181 about ten miles northeast of Gainesville. A watermill and a post office are all that remain of the community. The community was founded in 1898 and was named for the novel Zanoni by Edward Bulwer Lytton.... |
Education
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Ozark County, 73.0% possesses a high school diplomaHigh school diploma
A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and higher education. An equivalent is the GED.-Past diploma styles:...
or higher while 8.3% holds a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
or higher as their highest educational attainment.
Public schools
- Thornfield R-I School District - ThornfieldThornfield, MissouriThornfield is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is sixteen miles northwest of Gainesville. It is located on Route 95 at the Little North Fork of the White River....
- (K-08) - Lutie R-VI School District - TheodosiaTheodosia, MissouriTheodosia is a village in Ozark County, Missouri, USA. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Theodosia is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.5 square miles , of which, 1.4 square miles of it is land and...
- Lutie Elementary School (K-06)
- Lutie High School (07-12)
- Gainesville R-V School District - GainesvilleGainesville, MissouriGainesville is a city in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. The population was 632 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Ozark County .Gainesville is the current home of blues recording artist Iron Mike Norton.-Geography:...
- Gainesville Elementary School (K-06)
- Gainesville High School (07-12)
- Dora R-III School District - DoraDora, MissouriDora is an unincorporated community in northeastern Ozark County, Missouri. A school, post office, a couple of businesses, five churches and several homes are located there. The Dora Reorganized School District provides an education for approximately 360 students in grades 1-12...
- Dora Elementary School (K-06)
- Dora High School (07-12)
- Bakersfield R-IV School District - BakersfieldBakersfield, MissouriBakersfield is a village in Ozark County, Missouri, United States. The population was 285 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bakersfield is located at ....
- Bakersfield Elementary School (PK-05)
- Bakersfield High School (06-12)
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Ozark County is a part of the Bible BeltBible Belt
Bible Belt is an informal term for a region in the southeastern and south-central United States in which socially conservative evangelical Protestantism is a significant part of the culture and Christian church attendance across the denominations is generally higher than the nation's average.The...
with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Ozark County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
(25.79%), Churches of Christ (24.83%), and Pentecostals
Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
(17.07%).
Local
Politics at the local level in Ozark County is predominantly 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...
. In fact, all but one of Ozark County’s elected officeholders are Republicans.
| Office | Incumbent | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Assessor | Katherine Loftis | 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 & Ex Officio Recorder | Becki Strong | 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 | Kelly Maddox | 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 | Billy D. Hambelton, Jr. | 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 – Eastern District | T.J. Lewis | 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 – Western District | Greg Donley | 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... |
| Coroner | Ron Mahan | 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 | David Morrison | 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 | Thomas W. Cline | 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 | Melinda Abraham | 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 | Raymond Pace | 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... |
| Surveyor | Tim Morgan | 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 | David Ford | 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... |
42.47% 1,967 | 53.63% 2,484 | 3.90% 181 |
| 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... |
63.04% 2,949 | 34.80% 1,628 | 2.16% 101 |
| 2000 | 58.65% 2,502 | 38.54% 1,644 | 2.81% 120 |
| 1996 | 59.15% 2,376 | 38.16% 1,533 | 2.69% 108 |
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...
, all of Ozark County is a part of Missouri’s 143rd District and was represented by Maynard Wallace (R-Thornfield
Thornfield, Missouri
Thornfield is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is sixteen miles northwest of Gainesville. It is located on Route 95 at the Little North Fork of the White River....
). Wallace was term limited and finished out his last term. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Lyle Rowland in the next legislative session in January 2011.
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...
, all of Ozark County is a part of Missouri's 29th District and is currently represented by State Senator
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...
Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon
Mount Vernon, Missouri
Mount Vernon is a city in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,017 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. It is regionally known for its annual Apple butter Makin' Days festival in October. The high school's athletic teams are known as the...
). Goodman ran unopposed in 2008 and was reelected with 100 percent of the vote. The 29th Senatorial District consists of Barry
Barry County, Missouri
Barry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 35,597. Its county seat is Cassville. The county was organized in 1835 and named after William Taylor Barry from Kentucky, a United States Postmaster General....
, Lawrence, McDonald
McDonald County, Missouri
McDonald County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States of America. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 23,083. Its county seat is Pineville...
, Ozark, Stone
Stone County, Missouri
Stone County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 32,202. Its county seat is Galena...
, and Taney
Taney County, Missouri
Taney County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 39,703. In the 2010 census the counties population was 51,675 Its county seat is Forsyth....
counties.
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...
, Ozark County is represented by Jo Ann Emerson
Jo Ann Emerson
Jo Ann Emerson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1996. The district consists of Southeast and South Central Missouri and includes the Bootheel, the Lead Belt and the Ozarks. Emerson is a member of the Republican Party....
(R-Cape Girardeau) who represents all of Southeast Missouri as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
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 | 62.27% 2,918 | 35.45% 1,661 | 2.28% 107 |
| 2004 | 65.50% 3,083 | 33.16% 1,561 | 1.34% 63 |
| 2000 | 62.05% 2,663 | 33.36% 1,432 | 4.59% 197 |
| 1996 | 47.18% 1,882 | 36.22% 1,445 | 16.60% 662 |
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Ozark County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. 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 Ozark 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 convincing two-to-one margins. Like many other rural counties throughout Missouri, Ozark 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...
. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Ozark County in over 50 years.
Like most rural areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Ozark 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 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 Ozark County with 82.18 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 Ozark County with 51.07 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 Ozark 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 Ozark County with 76.94 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)
In the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary, voters in Ozark County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.- Former Governor Mike HuckabeeMike HuckabeeMichael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
(R-ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
) received more votes, a total of 766, than any candidate from either party in Ozark County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Ozark County, Missouri
External links
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Ozark 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