Scott County, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Scott County is a county located in Southeast Missouri
in the United States
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census
, the population was 40,422; a 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 40,673. Its county seat
is Benton
. The county was organized in 1821 and named for John Scott
, the first Congressman from Missouri.
The Sikeston Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of all of Scott County.
Southerners were the first settlers on Spanish land grants in the late 1790s. The King’s Highway (El Camino Real), laid out in 1789, crossed the county which lies in territory claimed by Osage Native American tribes until 1808. The Delaware and Shawnee tribes roamed into the area around the 1820s.
Benton, the county seat, was laid out in 1822 and is named after Thomas Hart Benton, one of Missouri’s first U.S. Senators. From 1864-1878, the county seat was located at Commerce, a town laid out in 1823 on the Mississippi River. Long known as Tywappity, the town started out as a trading post and became a river landing by 1803. Rezin Bowie, brother of James, was syndic of Tywappity Settlement before 1800. The first Baptist Church was formed here in Missouri in 1805. New Hamburg, the third town founded in the county, was settled by German immigrants in the 1840s. The first log church was St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Sikeston, the largest city in the county and the fourth settlement to be founded, was settled in 1800 and was laid out in 1860 by John Sikes on the Cairo & Fulton Railroad.
The county, devastated by guerilla raids during the U.S. Civil War, grew rapidly from the 1870s to the early 1900s as its dense forests were limbered off and numerous railroads were constructed. Towns founded during this period included Diehlstadt, Morley, Oran, Perkins, Blodgett, Crowder, Vanduser, Illmo, Fornfelt (Scott City), Chaffee, Ancell, and Kelso. The Thebes-Mississippi River Railroad Bridge at Illmo dates back to 1905. Located nearby is Cape St. Croix, a rock island in the river where Father De Montigny erected a cross in 1699.
Located near Morley is the gravesite of Nathaniel W. Watkins, a state legislator and a general in the Missouri State Guards who was also the half-brother of Henry Clay. In the county for a short period of time lived Wilson Brown, the ninth lieutenant governor of Missouri and noted early legislators such as Joseph Hunter II and Abraham Hunton.
Cotton, soybeans, melon and grains were all common crops in Scott County. Between the Mississippi River and Little River District drainage ditches lies one of the oldest drainage systems in the United States, Crowley’s Ridge, established in 1905, is a remnant of an old coastal plain that crosses the country.
On January 28, 2004, the Scott County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
or higher while 10.6% 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 Scott County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists
(40.54%), Roman Catholics (27.12%), and Methodists
(9.28%).
of 2000, there were 40,422 people, 15,626 households, and 11,219 families residing in the county. The population density
was 37/km² (96/mi²). There were 16,951 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (40/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.68% White, 10.50% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races
, and 0.90% from two or more races. Approximately 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,626 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples
living together, 13.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,735, and the median income for a family was $48,847. Males had a median income of $30,169 versus $19,269 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $19,363. About 12.30% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.50% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over.
. All of Scott County's elected officeholders are Democrats.
Scott County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives
.
In the Missouri Senate
, all of Scott County is a part of Missouri's 27th District and is currently represented by State Senator
Jason Crowell
(R-Cape Girardeau). In 2008, Crowell defeated Linda Sanders (D-Jackson
) 64.2%-35.8% in the district. The 27th Senatorial District consists of Bollinger
, Cape Girardeau
, Madison
, Mississippi
, Perry
, and Scott counties.
, Scott County is represented by Jo Ann Emerson
(R-Cape Girardeau) who represents all of Southeast Missouri as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
At the presidential level, Scott County is fairly independent-leaning. While George W. Bush
carried Scott County in 2000
and 2004
, Bill Clinton
won the county both times in 1992
and 1996
. Like most of the rural counties in Missouri, Scott County favored John McCain
over Barack Obama
in 2008
.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Scott County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
principles. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman
—it overwhelmingly passed Scott County with 85.32 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 failed in Scott County with 64.85 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 Scott 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 Scott County with 67.99 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 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 population was 40,422; a 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 40,673. 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 Benton
Benton, Missouri
Benton is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 732 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Benton is located at ....
. The county was organized in 1821 and named for John Scott
John Scott (Missouri politician)
John Scott was a Delegate and a U.S. Representative from Missouri.Born in Hanover County, Virginia, Scott moved with his parents to Indiana Territory in 1802.He was graduated from Princeton College in 1805.He studied law....
, the first Congressman from Missouri.
The Sikeston Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of all of Scott County.
History
The second county formed in Missouri’s Southeast Lowland Region, Scott County was created by the Missouri state legislature on December 28, 1821. The county was named in honor of John Scott (1785-1861), the first congressman from Missouri.Southerners were the first settlers on Spanish land grants in the late 1790s. The King’s Highway (El Camino Real), laid out in 1789, crossed the county which lies in territory claimed by Osage Native American tribes until 1808. The Delaware and Shawnee tribes roamed into the area around the 1820s.
Benton, the county seat, was laid out in 1822 and is named after Thomas Hart Benton, one of Missouri’s first U.S. Senators. From 1864-1878, the county seat was located at Commerce, a town laid out in 1823 on the Mississippi River. Long known as Tywappity, the town started out as a trading post and became a river landing by 1803. Rezin Bowie, brother of James, was syndic of Tywappity Settlement before 1800. The first Baptist Church was formed here in Missouri in 1805. New Hamburg, the third town founded in the county, was settled by German immigrants in the 1840s. The first log church was St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Sikeston, the largest city in the county and the fourth settlement to be founded, was settled in 1800 and was laid out in 1860 by John Sikes on the Cairo & Fulton Railroad.
The county, devastated by guerilla raids during the U.S. Civil War, grew rapidly from the 1870s to the early 1900s as its dense forests were limbered off and numerous railroads were constructed. Towns founded during this period included Diehlstadt, Morley, Oran, Perkins, Blodgett, Crowder, Vanduser, Illmo, Fornfelt (Scott City), Chaffee, Ancell, and Kelso. The Thebes-Mississippi River Railroad Bridge at Illmo dates back to 1905. Located nearby is Cape St. Croix, a rock island in the river where Father De Montigny erected a cross in 1699.
Located near Morley is the gravesite of Nathaniel W. Watkins, a state legislator and a general in the Missouri State Guards who was also the half-brother of Henry Clay. In the county for a short period of time lived Wilson Brown, the ninth lieutenant governor of Missouri and noted early legislators such as Joseph Hunter II and Abraham Hunton.
Cotton, soybeans, melon and grains were all common crops in Scott County. Between the Mississippi River and Little River District drainage ditches lies one of the oldest drainage systems in the United States, Crowley’s Ridge, established in 1905, is a remnant of an old coastal plain that crosses the country.
On January 28, 2004, the Scott County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Education
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Scott County, 72.9% 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 10.6% 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
- Chaffee R-II School District - ChaffeeChaffee, MissouriChaffee is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,045 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chaffee is located at ....
- Chaffee Elementary School (K-06)
- Chaffee Jr.-Sr. High School (07-12)
- Oran R-III School District - OranOran, MissouriOran is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census. It was surveyed under the name of Sylvania on July 9, 1869. It was renamed St. Cloud on February 14, 1870...
- Oran Elementary School (K-06)
- Oran High School (07-12)
- Scott County R-IV School District - BentonBenton, MissouriBenton is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 732 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Benton is located at ....
- Scott County Elementary School (K-05)
- Scott County Middle School (06-08)
- Thomas W. Kelly High School (09-12)
- Scott City R-I School District - Scott CityScott City, MissouriScott City is a city in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 4,591 at the 2000 census.The Scott County portion of Scott City is part of the Sikeston Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Cape Girardeau County portion is part of the Cape...
- Scott City Elementary School (K-04)
- Scott City Middle School (05-08)
- Scott City High School (09-12)
- Scott County Central School District - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- Scott County Central Elementary School (PK-06)
- Scott County Central High SchoolScott County Central High SchoolScott County Central High School is high school at 20794 US Highway 61 Sikeston, Missouri, Scott County, Missouri that has won 15 Missouri state boys basketball championships -- the most of any high school in the state....
(07-12)
- Sikeston R-VI School District - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- Lee Hunter Elementary School (01-04)
- Matthews Elementary School (01-04)
- Morehouse Elementary School (PK-04)
- Sikeston Kindergarten Center (K)
- Sikeston 5th & 6th Grade Center (05-06)
- Southeast Elementary School (01-04)
- Sikeston 7th & 8th Grade Center (07-08)
- Sikeston High School (09-12)
Private Schools
- St. Denis School - BentonBenton, MissouriBenton is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 732 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Benton is located at ....
- (01-08) - 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. Ambrose School - ChaffeeChaffee, MissouriChaffee is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,045 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chaffee is located at ....
- (K-08) - 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. Augustine School - KelsoKelso, MissouriKelso is a village in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 527 at the 2000 census.The Kelso ZIP code of 63758 appears to be for residents who wish to receive their mail at the Kelso post office; direct mail delivery in Kelso appears to use the Scott City ZIP code of 63780...
- (01-08) - 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... - Guardian Angel School - OranOran, MissouriOran is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census. It was surveyed under the name of Sylvania on July 9, 1869. It was renamed St. Cloud on February 14, 1870...
- (K-08) - 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. Joseph School - Scott CityScott City, MissouriScott City is a city in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 4,591 at the 2000 census.The Scott County portion of Scott City is part of the Sikeston Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Cape Girardeau County portion is part of the Cape...
- (K-08) - 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. Francis Xavier Christian Academy - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- (PK-08) - 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... - Southeast Missouri Christian Academy - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- (PK-K) Daycare Center - Non-denominational ChristianNon-denominational ChristianityIn Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations... - Solid Rock Christian Academy - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- Non-denominational ChristianNon-denominational ChristianityIn Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations...
Post-Secondary & Higher Education
- Sikeston Area Higher Education Center (SAHEC) - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- A satellite campus of Southeast Missouri State University. - Sikeston Career & Technology Center - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- A technical school based out of the Sikeston R-VI School District. - Three Rivers Community CollegeThree Rivers Community CollegeThree Rivers Community College is the name of two community colleges in the United States:*Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, Connecticut*Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri...
Center - SikestonSikeston, MissouriSikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the...
- A satellite campus of Three Rivers Community College.
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Scott 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 Scott 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...
(40.54%), Roman Catholics (27.12%), and Methodists
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
(9.28%).
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 426.04 square miles (1,103.4 km²), of which 421.01 square miles (1,090.4 km²) (or 98.82%) is land and 5.03 square miles (13 km²) (or 1.18%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Cape Girardeau CountyCape Girardeau County, MissouriCape Girardeau County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 75,764. While the largest city in the county is Cape Girardeau, the county seat is actually Jackson, which was the first city named in honor of President...
(northwest) - Alexander County, IllinoisAlexander County, IllinoisAlexander County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 8,238, which is a decrease of 14.1% from 9,590 in 2000. Its county seat is Cairo. Alexander County is part of the Cape Girardeau–Jackson, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical...
(northeast) - Mississippi CountyMississippi County, MissouriMississippi County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,427. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 13,504. The largest city and county seat is Charleston...
(southeast) - New Madrid CountyNew Madrid County, MissouriNew Madrid County is a county located in the Bootheel of southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 Census, the county's population was 19,760. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 17,589. The largest city and county seat is New Madrid...
(south) - Stoddard CountyStoddard County, MissouriStoddard County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 29,705. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 29,537. The county seat is Bloomfield while the largest city in the county is Dexter...
(southwest)
Major highways
Interstate 55
Interstate 57
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 62
Route 77
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 40,422 people, 15,626 households, and 11,219 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 37/km² (96/mi²). There were 16,951 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (40/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.68% White, 10.50% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.40% 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 0.90% from two or more races. Approximately 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,626 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% 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, 13.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,735, and the median income for a family was $48,847. Males had a median income of $30,169 versus $19,269 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 $19,363. About 12.30% of families and 16.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.50% of those under age 18 and 13.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Diehlstadt, Missouri Diehlstadt is a village in Scott County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 163. Diehlstadt was founded by John Kirkpatrick-Geography:Diehlstadt is at .... Haywood City, Missouri Haywood City is a village in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 239 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Haywood City is located at .... Illmo, Missouri Illmo is an unincorporated community in Scott County, Missouri. It is next to Scott City. Its post office has closed and its mail now comes from Scott City. The community was founded in 1905 and its name is a contraction of Illinois and Missouri as the community is near Illinois and in Missouri.... Kelso, Missouri Kelso is a village in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 527 at the 2000 census.The Kelso ZIP code of 63758 appears to be for residents who wish to receive their mail at the Kelso post office; direct mail delivery in Kelso appears to use the Scott City ZIP code of 63780... |
Lambert, Missouri Lambert is a village in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 49 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lambert is located at .... Miner, Missouri Miner is a city in Mississippi and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. It borders the city of Sikeston to the east. The population was 1,056 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Miner is located at .... Morley, Missouri Morley is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 792 at the 2000 census. It was surveyed and laid out by John Morley, a railroad engineer in about 1870. During the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century both melons and cotton were important products of... Oran, Missouri Oran is a city in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census. It was surveyed under the name of Sylvania on July 9, 1869. It was renamed St. Cloud on February 14, 1870... |
Perkins, Missouri Perkins is an unincorporated community in western Scott County, Missouri. It is located sixteen miles northwest of Sikeston.... Scott City, Missouri Scott City is a city in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 4,591 at the 2000 census.The Scott County portion of Scott City is part of the Sikeston Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Cape Girardeau County portion is part of the Cape... Sikeston, Missouri Sikeston is a city located both in southern Scott County and northern New Madrid County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is geographically situated just north of the "Missouri Bootheel", although many locals consider Sikeston a part of it. By way of Interstate 55, Sikeston is close to the... Vanduser, Missouri Vanduser is a village in Scott County, Missouri, United States. The population was 217 at the 2000 census. The zip code is 63784.On May 15, 1986, a tornado hit Vanduser, killing a man when it destroyed his mobile home. Almost every building in the town of 350 people was damaged. "The whole town... |
Villages and other locations
- Crowder - Located on State Highway Z.
- Lusk - Located at the intersection of State Highway N and State Highway NN.
- New Hamburg - Located on State Highway A.
- Rockview - Located near State Highway M.
- Salcedo - Located at the intersection of State Highway Z and State Highway Y.
- Tanner - Located at the intersection of State Highway Z and State Highway ZZ.
Local
Politics at the local level in Scott County is completely controlled by the Democratic PartyDemocratic 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...
. All of Scott County's elected officeholders are Democrats.
| Office | Incumbent | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Assessor | Teresa M. Houchin | 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... |
| Circuit Clerk | Christy Hency | 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... |
| Clerk | Rita Milam | 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... |
| Collector | Mark Hensley | 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... |
| Commissioner – District 1 | Dennis E. Ziegenhorn | 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... |
| Commissioner – District 2 | Donnie Kiefer | 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 | Scott C. Amick | 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... |
| Presiding Commissioner | Jamie Burger | 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... |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Paul R. Boyd | 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... |
| Public Administrator | Pam Dirnberger | 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... |
| Recorder | Tom Dirnberger | 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... |
| Sheriff | Rick Walter | 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... |
| Treasurer | Glenda Enderle | 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... |
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... |
53.12% 9,494 | 45.55% 8,142 | 1.33% 238 |
| 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... |
58.69% 10,198 | 40.31% 7,004 | 1.00% 174 |
| 2000 | 52.12% 8,159 | 46.59% 7,293 | 1.29% 202 |
| 1996 | 38.71% 5,878 | 59.76% 9,074 | 1.53% 233 |
Scott County is divided into two 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...
.
- District 160 - Currently represented by Ellen Brandom (R-Sikeston) and consists of most of the county and includes the cities of Benton, Chaffee, Haywood City, Kelso, Lambert, Miner, Morley, Oran, Sikeston, and Vanduser. Brandom ran unopposed in 2010 and was reelected with 100 percent of the vote.
- District 161 - Currently represented by Steve Hodges (D-East PrairieEast Prairie, MissouriEast Prairie is a city in Mississippi County, Missouri, United States. The population was 3,227 at the 2000 census. In 1881, the area was originally known as Bell's Grade and Hibbard and developed as a result of the railroad...
) and includes Scott City and the towns of Blodgett, Commerce and Diehlstadt. In 2010, incumbent Hodges was reelected to another term; the Scott County precincts, however, backed his Republican challenger, Ron McCormick.
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 Scott County is a part of Missouri's 27th 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...
Jason Crowell
Jason Glennon Crowell
Jason Glennon Crowell is a state senator from the U.S. state of Missouri currently serving his second term in the Missouri Senate. He succeeded the seat previously held by Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder...
(R-Cape Girardeau). In 2008, Crowell defeated Linda Sanders (D-Jackson
Jackson, Missouri
Jackson is a city in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, United States. The population was 13,758 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cape Girardeau County. Jackson is named for U.S. President Andrew Jackson. It is a principal city of the Cape Girardeau–Jackson, MO-IL Metropolitan...
) 64.2%-35.8% in the district. The 27th Senatorial District consists of Bollinger
Bollinger County, Missouri
Bollinger County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 12,363; despite a 2009 estimate that showed the population to be 11,841. The county seat is Marble Hill, which is the only city in Bollinger County...
, Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Cape Girardeau County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 75,764. While the largest city in the county is Cape Girardeau, the county seat is actually Jackson, which was the first city named in honor of President...
, Madison
Madison County, Missouri
Madison County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 11,800. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,276. Its county seat and largest city is Fredericktown...
, Mississippi
Mississippi County, Missouri
Mississippi County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,427. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 13,504. The largest city and county seat is Charleston...
, Perry
Perry County, Missouri
Perry County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 18,132. In 2008 the population was estimated to be 18,743. Its county seat is Perryville. The county was officially organized on November 16, 1820 from Ste...
, and Scott 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...
, Scott 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 | 63.95% 11,563 | 34.61% 6,258 | 1.44% 261 |
| 2004 | 64.94% 11,330 | 34.71% 6,057 | 0.35% 61 |
| 2000 | 57.30% 8,999 | 41.09% 6,452 | 1.61% 253 |
| 1996 | 43.54% 6,641 | 45.97% 7,011 | 10.49% 1,600 |
At the presidential level, Scott County is fairly independent-leaning. While 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 Scott 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...
, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
won the county both times in 1992
United States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
and 1996
United States presidential election, 1996
The United States presidential election of 1996 was a contest between the Democratic national ticket of President Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee and the Republican national ticket of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas for President and former Housing Secretary Jack...
. Like most of the rural counties in Missouri, Scott 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...
.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Scott County generally 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. 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 Scott County with 85.32 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 failed in Scott County with 64.85 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 Scott 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 Scott County with 67.99 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 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 Scott County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.- 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...
) received more votes, a total of 2,931, than any candidate from either party in Scott County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Scott County, Missouri
External links
- ScottCountyMO.com
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Scott 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