Audrain County, Missouri

Audrain County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,962.[1] Its county seat is Mexico.[2] The county was organized December 13, 1836, and named for Colonel James Hunter Audrain of the War of 1812 and who later was elected to the state legislature.

Audrain County
County
The Audrain County Courthouse in Mexico
The Audrain County Courthouse in Mexico
Official seal of Audrain County
Seal
Nickname: 
Biofuel Capital of Missouri
Map of Missouri highlighting Audrain County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°13′N 91°50′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 17, 1836
Named forJames Hunter Audrain
SeatMexico
Largest cityMexico
Area
 • Total697 sq mi (1,810 km2)
 • Land692 sq mi (1,790 km2)
 • Water4.6 sq mi (12 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total24,962
 • Estimate 
(2021)
24,982 Increase
 • Density36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts4th, 6th
Websitewww.audraincounty.org

History

Audrain county was formed from a non-county area with portions under the administration of Montgomery, Callaway, Boone, Ralls, or Monroe counties at various times prior to its official establishment in 1836. Thus, records for locations now in Audrain prior to 1836 may indicate location in those counties instead. Some details have been summarized on the website of the Northeast Missouri Genealogy Village, and a dynamic map showing some of the changes is on the 'mapgeeks' website showing historical maps of the states of the United States. (See 'External Links' below.)

Today's Audrain County historical website data (see 'External Links' below) indicates that the county was divided about 50/50 during the historic US Civil War and that US Army Commander General Ulysses Grant was resident there briefly during that time. While Audrain county shared some history with neighboring counties, it does not border the Missouri River.

According to some Confederate historian publications, Audrain County was one of several nearby counties settled by migrants from the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Tennessee; that some brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them, cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky such as hemp and tobacco, or brought antebellum architecture and culture; and that the county was considered by those historians to be in the heart of what was called "Little Dixie".[3]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 697 square miles (1,810 km2), of which 692 square miles (1,790 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,949—
18503,50679.9%
18608,075130.3%
187012,30752.4%
188019,73260.3%
189022,07411.9%
190021,160−4.1%
191021,6872.5%
192020,589−5.1%
193022,0777.2%
194022,6732.7%
195023,8295.1%
196026,0799.4%
197025,362−2.7%
198026,4584.3%
199023,599−10.8%
200025,8539.6%
201025,529−1.3%
202024,962−2.2%
2021 (est.)24,982[5]0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

Audrain County comprises the Mexico, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Columbia-Moberly-Mexico, MO Combined Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2010, there were 25,529 people, 9,844 households, and 6,762 families residing in the county. The population density was 37 inhabitants per square mile (14/km2). There were 10,881 housing units at an average density of 16 units per square mile (6.2/km2). 89.8% of the population were White, 6.4% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% of some other race and 1.7% of two or more races. 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 33.2% were of German, 16.0% American, 9.3% Irish and 8.4% English ancestry.[10]

There were 9,844 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 84.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,057, and the median income for a family was $40,448. Males had a median income of $28,550 versus $20,712 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,441. About 11.10% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Audrain County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Audrain County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (36.07%), Roman Catholics (12.55%), and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (8.09%).

2020 census
Audrain County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 21,450 86%
Black or African American (NH) 1,304 5.22%
Native American (NH) 63 0.3%
Asian (NH) 114 0.5%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,298 5.2%
Hispanic or Latino 731 3%

Government and infrastructure

Audrain County E-911 Joint Communications

Audrain County Joint Communications is the primary public safety answering point (PSAP) for Audrain County, and is responsible for handling incoming and outgoing communication from the public for assistance from law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel throughout Audrain County. Joint Communications is specifically responsible for receiving incoming 9-1-1 emergency telephone calls, and dispatching the appropriate personnel; receiving other non-emergency telephone calls and dispatching, routing, or messaging those calls to the correct personnel; entering information into, and inquiring information from the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) crime databases; maintaining a detailed computerized log of requests received and dispatched; and keeping current on city and county geography, so that members may assist responding personnel in locating addresses.

Joint Communications is located at 1854 East Liberty Street in Vandiver Village, and serves a coverage area of 697 square miles (1,800 km2) with a population of nearly 26,000 people.[12] Staff includes 7 full-time Dispatchers, 2 part-time Dispatchers, 3 full-time Shift Supervisors, the Assistant 911 Director, and the 911 Director. There is a minimum of two Dispatchers on duty at all times to answer incoming and outgoing communications.

Upgrades to the communications equipment and computer software were made when Mexico Public Safety Dispatch and Audrain County Sheriff's Dispatch consolidated to form the Joint Communications Center in October 1999. These upgrades allowed for even better service to the county. At that time the Vandalia Police Department elected to continue to operate their communications center for the Vandalia Police Department, Vandalia Fire District, and Van-Far Ambulance District. Audrain County Joint Communications and Vandalia Communications acted as backup sites for each other, so if anything happened to one center there would be no disruption of service to the residents and visitors of Audrain County.

In February 2007, Joint Communications implemented an Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) program utilizing the protocol-based Medical Priority Dispatch System created by the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This program allows dispatchers to quickly and accurately determine the nature of an emergency medical call and prioritize it to allow for the most appropriate response. Joint Communications's dispatchers are trained to provide real-time instruction of CPR and other life-saving first aid while simultaneously dispatching Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals to the emergency. This reduces the time between the onset of symptoms and when basic aid is provided to the patient, thus increasing the patient's chances of survival in life-threatening emergencies.

Another equipment upgrade was completed in March 2007. This upgrade included new 9-1-1 equipment and a new telephone and radio voice recorder. These upgrades were necessary to keep current with the latest technology available. With the new 9-1-1 system dispatchers have quicker access to a caller's telephone and address data and it introduced a mapping system to automatically plot emergency calls on a map, allowing for a faster response by emergency personnel as dispatchers previously had to look up addresses on the map manually. The new 9-1-1 system also allows for upgrades to accommodate future telephone and communications technologies. The previous 9-1-1 system was unable to process telephone number and location information from cellular telephone calls, which created a problem in determining the location of an emergency if the caller is unable to speak. The new 9-1-1 system is compatible with cellular telephone and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies, and these services will be added to the Audrain County E-911 system as they become available.

On February 15, 2008, Audrain County Joint Communications assumed the communications responsibilities for the Vandalia Police Department, Vandalia Fire District and Van-Far Ambulance District. Ralls County E-911 was designated as the backup PSAP for Audrain County Joint Communications so if anything were to happen to the Joint Communications Center there would be no disruption of service to the residents and visitors of Audrain County.[13]

In August 2008, Joint Communications Director Chris Hardin began the process of implementing Phase II wireless service to the Audrain County E-911 system. This process was expected to take several months, but after Phase II wireless service was implemented Joint Communications would be able to locate a caller when they called 911 from a cellular telephone.

Joint Communications became Wireless Phase II with AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular Wireless) on March 3, 2009, and with US Cellular on March 16, 2009. The other cellular phone providers were expected to follow shortly.

Joint Communications became Wireless Phase II with Sprint Nextel on July 15, 2009, meaning that Joint Communications is now Wireless Phase II with all of the cellular phone providers officially serving Audrain County.

Emergency medical services
  • Audrain Ambulance District
  • Van-Far Ambulance District

Fire services
  • Farber Fire Department
  • Laddonia Fire Department
  • Little Dixie Fire Protection District
  • Martinsburg Fire Department
  • Mexico Public Safety Department
  • Vandalia Fire Department

Law enforcement
  • Audrain County Sheriff's Office
  • Farber Police Department
  • Martinsburg Police Department
  • Mexico Public Safety Department


Prison

The Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, a women's prison of the Missouri Department of Corrections, is located in Vandalia and in Audrain County.[14]

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Public libraries
  • Mexico-Audrain County Library District[16]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Audrain County is divided into eight townships:

Notable people

Politics

Local

Politics are divided at the local level in Audrain County. Republicans hold a majority of the elected positions in the county.

Audrain County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Melissa Maupin Democratic
Circuit Clerk Penny J. Creed Craghead Democratic
County Clerk Lisa Smith Republican
Collector Amy LeCount Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Steve Hobbs Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Alan Winders Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Tracy Graham Republican
Coroner Todd Yager Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Shellabarger Democratic
Public Administrator Connie J. Hagan Democratic
Recorder Janis Deimeke Republican
Sheriff Matt Oller Republican
Treasurer Patty Meyers Democratic

State
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 72.05% 7,643 25.10% 2,663 2.85% 302
2016 58.06% 5,831 38.20% 3,836 3.74% 376
2012 46.85% 4,633 49.77% 4,922 3.39% 335
2008 52.35% 5,612 46.18% 4,951 1.47% 158
2004 56.72% 6,047 42.1% 4,500 1.07% 115
2000 46.29% 4,576 51.45% 5,086 2.26% 223
1996 33.32% 3,254 64.40% 6,289 2.27% 222
1992 43.18% 4,504 56.82% 5,927 0.00% 0

All of Audrain County is currently included in Missouri's 43rd Legislative District and is currently represented by Kent Haden (R-Mexico) in the Missouri House of Representatives.[17]

Missouri House of Representatives — District 43 — Audrain County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kent Haden 9,336 100.00% +28.37
Missouri House of Representatives — District 43 — Audrain County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kent Haden 6,160 71.63% -0.90
Democratic Jamie Blair 2,440 28.37% +0.90

All of Audrain County is a part of Missouri's 10th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Jeanie Riddle (R-Mokane).

Missouri Senate — District 10 — Audrain County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeanie Riddle 5,701 65.89% -6.43
Democratic Ayanna Shivers 2,951 34.11% +6.43
Missouri Senate — District 10 — Audrain County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeanie Riddle 3,878 72.32%
Democratic Ed Schieffer 1,484 27.68%

Federal

Most of Audrain County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Communities in Audrain County included in the 4th District include Mexico. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Audrain County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 6,064 72.82% +2.40
Democratic Lindsey Simmons 2,009 24.12% -2.98
Libertarian Steven K. Koonse 255 3.06% +0.59
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Audrain County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 4,867 70.42% +0.31
Democratic Renee Hoagenson 1,873 27.10% +1.70
Libertarian Mark Bliss 171 2.47% -2.02

Some of Audrain County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Communities in Audrain County included in the 6th District include Farber, Laddonia, and Vandalia. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 6th Congressional District – Audrain County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,628 77.23% +4.54
Democratic Gena L. Ross 428 20.30% -4.61
Libertarian Jim Higgins 52 2.47% +0.07
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 6th Congressional District – Audrain County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,240 72.69% +3.39
Democratic Henry Robert Martin 425 24.91% -2.11
Libertarian Dan Hogan 41 2.40% +0.18

Audrain County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

U.S. Senate – Class I – Audrain County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 5,651 64.72% +19.73
Democratic Claire McCaskill 2,727 31.23% -16.00
Independent Craig O'Dear 166 1.90%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 135 1.55% -6.24
Green Jo Crain 52 0.60% +0.60

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

U.S. Senate — Class III — Audrain County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 5,726 57.26% +12.27
Democratic Jason Kander 3,680 36.80% -10.43
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 312 3.12% -4.66
Green Johnathan McFarland 163 1.63% +1.63
Constitution Fred Ryman 119 1.19% +1.19

Political culture
United States presidential election results for Audrain County, Missouri[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 7,732 72.49% 2,704 25.35% 230 2.16%
2016 6,981 68.89% 2,570 25.36% 582 5.74%
2012 6,186 61.97% 3,539 35.45% 257 2.57%
2008 6,167 57.20% 4,434 41.13% 180 1.67%
2004 6,294 58.92% 4,318 40.42% 71 0.66%
2000 5,256 52.64% 4,551 45.58% 178 1.78%
1996 3,955 40.45% 4,690 47.96% 1,133 11.59%
1992 3,798 35.65% 4,731 44.41% 2,125 19.95%
1988 5,072 49.11% 5,226 50.61% 29 0.28%
1984 7,261 60.90% 4,662 39.10% 0 0.00%
1980 6,347 53.63% 5,168 43.67% 319 2.70%
1976 5,378 48.75% 5,600 50.76% 54 0.49%
1972 7,197 66.01% 3,706 33.99% 0 0.00%
1968 5,005 46.24% 4,806 44.41% 1,012 9.35%
1964 3,316 30.98% 7,387 69.02% 0 0.00%
1960 4,955 43.60% 6,410 56.40% 0 0.00%
1956 4,664 43.94% 5,951 56.06% 0 0.00%
1952 4,767 41.26% 6,775 58.64% 12 0.10%
1948 2,739 26.72% 7,495 73.12% 16 0.16%
1944 3,455 34.76% 6,471 65.11% 13 0.13%
1940 3,447 30.71% 7,768 69.21% 9 0.08%
1936 2,508 25.10% 7,455 74.59% 31 0.31%
1932 2,037 21.69% 7,301 77.74% 54 0.57%
1928 4,141 44.90% 5,067 54.94% 14 0.15%
1924 3,125 34.18% 5,866 64.17% 151 1.65%
1920 3,827 40.67% 5,514 58.60% 68 0.72%
1916 1,741 32.48% 3,572 66.63% 48 0.90%
1912 1,360 26.44% 3,332 64.79% 451 8.77%
1908 1,733 33.61% 3,350 64.97% 73 1.42%
1904 1,454 31.81% 3,006 65.76% 111 2.43%
1900 1,436 28.58% 3,477 69.21% 111 2.21%
1896 1,609 28.59% 3,984 70.79% 35 0.62%
1892 1,408 28.69% 3,240 66.01% 260 5.30%
1888 1,506 31.81% 3,152 66.58% 76 1.61%

At the presidential level, Audrain County has become solidly Republican in recent years. Audrain County strongly favored Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Audrain County in 1996 with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election since Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Audrain County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings, at least on the state and national levels. Despite Audrain County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 63.40% of Audrain County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

2020

The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Audrain County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Audrain County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 1,088 67.00
Democratic Bernie Sanders 426 26.23
Democratic Tulsi Gabbard 22 1.36
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 88 5.42

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Audrain County and statewide by large margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Audrain County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 1,426 97.67
Republican Bill Weld 8 0.55
Republican Others/Uncommitted 26 1.78

2016

The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) carried a plurality of the vote in Audrain County. Trump went on to win the nomination and the presidency.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Audrain County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ted Cruz 1,642 40.77
Republican Donald Trump 1,611 40.00
Republican John Kasich 423 10.50
Republican Marco Rubio 229 5.69
Republican Others/Uncommitted 123 3.05

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) both won statewide and carried Audrain County by a small margin.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Audrain County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 749 49.64
Democratic Bernie Sanders 728 48.24
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 32 2.12

2012

The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Audrain County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

2008

In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Audrain County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain 744 33.24
Republican Mike Huckabee 709 31.68
Republican Mitt Romney 649 29.00
Republican Ron Paul 99 4.42
Republican Others/Uncommitted 37 1.66

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Audrain County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Audrain County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 1,575 57.42
Democratic Barack Obama 1,079 39.34
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 89 3.24

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. The Story of Little Dixie, Missouri, Missouri Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Archived July 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed 3 June 2008
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  10. "American FactFinder"
  11. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Audrain County, Missouri".
  12. About Audrain County Archived December 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, 28 February 2009.
  13. About Audrain County Joint Communications Archived September 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, 28 February 2009.
  14. "Facility Addresses Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." Missouri Department of Corrections. Retrieved on November 24, 2010.
  15. "Missouri Military Academy website".
  16. Breeding, Marshall. "Mexico-Audrain County Library District". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  17. "Missouri House of Representatives District 43". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

39.21°N 91.84°W / 39.21; -91.84

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