St. Francois County, Missouri

St. Francois County (/ˈfrænsɪs/) is a county in the Lead Belt region in the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 census, the population was 66,922.[1] The largest city and county seat is Farmington.[2] The county was officially organized on December 19, 1821. It was named after the St. Francis River. The origin of the river's name is unclear. It may refer to St. Francis of Assisi.[3] Another possibility is that Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit who explored the region in 1673, named the river for the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier; Marquette had spent some time at the mission of St. François Xavier before his voyage and, as a Jesuit, was unlikely to have given the river a name honoring the Franciscans.[4]

Saint Francois County
County
St. Francois County Courthouse in Farmington
St. Francois County Courthouse in Farmington
Seal
Map of Missouri highlighting Saint Francois County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°46′55″N 90°25′20″W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 19, 1821
Named forSt. Francis River
SeatFarmington
Largest cityFarmington
Area
 • Total455 sq mi (1,180 km2)
 • Land452 sq mi (1,170 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total66,922
 • Density150/sq mi (57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.sfcgov.org

St. Francois County comprises the Farmington Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the St. Louis–St. Charles–Farmington–Illinois Combined Statistical Area.

History

Seal
2018–2022
2022–present

A former county seal, used from 2018 to 2022, was posted on the subreddit r/CrappyDesign where it received considerable attention and was covered by local and national news organizations. It was criticized for being "overdone" and "amateurish," though some said they felt it stood out and was "spontaneous."[5][6]

The seal was designed by county commissioner Harold Gallaher and incorporated components from an older 1982 seal designed by a high school student in needlework.[7] The seal was unanimously approved by the county commission and was used on government signage and vehicles.[8]

The seal featured clip art-style[9] images of a bald eagle atop the American flag, a pickaxe and shovel, a Bible and Christian cross, and an outline of the county. It also featured the phrase "In God we trust" and the founding date of the county.

In response to the attention it received, the county held a contest to redesign the seal. Gallaher requested that the redesign make reference to the parks in the county as well as include elements from the old seal.[10] The county received 264[11] or 282[12] entries from 33 counties and 35 states, of which three finalists were chosen. Some included the St. Francois County Courthouse and referenced the county's mining history. The winning design was submitted by Bryan Finch, a graphic designer from Farmington, Missouri, a city in St. Francois County.[11]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,366—
18403,21135.7%
18504,96454.6%
18607,24946.0%
18709,74234.4%
188013,82241.9%
189017,34725.5%
190024,05138.6%
191035,73848.6%
192031,403−12.1%
193035,83214.1%
194035,9500.3%
195035,276−1.9%
196036,5163.5%
197036,8180.8%
198042,60015.7%
199048,90414.8%
200055,64113.8%
201065,35917.5%
202066,9222.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2015[17]

As of the census of 2000, there were 55,641 people, 20,793 households, and 14,659 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 inhabitants per square mile (48/km2). There were 24,449 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.14% White, 2.02% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 20,793 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.50% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 103.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,551, and the median income for a family was $47,923. Males had a median income of $29,961 versus $19,412 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,047. Approximately 14.90% of the population and 11.00% of families were below the poverty line, including 19.80% under the age of 18 and 11.50% over the age of 65.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), St. Francois County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in St. Francois County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (45.48%), Roman Catholics (14.94%), and Methodists (8.37%). There is also a small Orthodox Christian presence in the county, an example being Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Desloge, MO.[18]

Catholic Churches in the county are Immaculate Conception in Park Hills, St. Joseph in Farmington, St. Joseph in Bonne Terre, St. John in Bismarck, and St. Anne in French Village.[19]

2020 Census
St. Francois County Racial Composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 59,474 88.9%
Black or African American (NH) 2,645 4%
Native American (NH) 192 0.3%
Asian (NH) 403 0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 21 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 3,098 4.63%
Hispanic or Latino 1,089 1.63%

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in St. Francois County. Republicans hold all but two of the county's elected positions.

St. Francois County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Eric Dugal Republican
Auditor Louie Seiberlich Republican
Circuit Clerk Kristina Bone Republican
County Clerk Kevin Engler Republican
Collector Angie K. Usery Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Harold Gallaher Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Kary Buckley Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 David Kater Republican
Coroner Jason Coplin Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Blake Dudley Republican
Public Administrator Gary Matheny Republican
Recorder Jay Graf Republican
Sheriff Daniel R. Bullock Republican
Treasurer Parks G. Peterson Republican

State

St. Francois County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives.

  • District 115 — Currently represented by Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway (R-Festus). It consists of the northern parts of the county, including Blackwell, French Village, and part of Park Hills.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2020)[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Cyndi Buchheit Courtway 3,783 74.73%
Democratic Cynthia Nugent 1,272 25.13%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2018)[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elaine Gannon 3,211 98.14%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elaine Gannon 3,010 68.63% +3.40
Democratic Barbara Stocker 1,196 27.27% -2.98
Libertarian Charles Bigelow 180 4.10% +4.10
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elaine Gannon 1,486 65.23% +13.26
Democratic Dan Darian 689 30.25% -17.78
Constitution Jerry Dollar Jr. 103 4.52% +4.52
Missouri House of Representatives — District 115 — St. Francois County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elaine Gannon 2,106 51.97%
Democratic Rich McCane 1,946 48.03%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2020)[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dale Wright 6,687 97.96%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2018)[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dale Wright 4,374 70.12%
Democratic Bill Kraemer 1,855 29.74
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Engler 5,590 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Engler 2,826 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 116 — St. Francois County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Engler 4,881 100.00%
  • District 117 — Currently represented by Mike Henderson (R-Bonne Terre). It consists of the western parts of the county and includes the communities of Bismarck, Bonne Terre, Desloge, Doe Run, Iron Mountain Lake, Leadington, Leadwood, and parts of Farmington and Park Hills.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2020)[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Henderson 10,485 73.21%
Democratic Tony Dorsett 3,817 26.65%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2018)[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Henderson 8,169 71.92%
Democratic Kayla Chick 3,168 27.89%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Henderson 7,302 56.74% +56.74
Democratic Travis Barnes 5,567 43.26% -56.74
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Linda Black 5,081 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 117 — St. Francois County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Linda Black 9,704 100.00%

All of St. Francois County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Elaine Gannon (R-De Soto).

Missouri Senate — District 3 — St. Francois County (2020)[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elaine Freeman Gannon 23,058 97.65%
Missouri Senate — District 3 — St. Francois County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gary Romine 18,992 81.79% +21.62
Green Edward R. Weissler 4,229 18.21% +18.21
Missouri Senate — District 3 — St. Francois County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gary Romine 13,329 60.17%
Democratic Joseph Fallert, Jr. 8,823 39.83%
Past gubernatorial election results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 69.37% 19,258 27.67% 7,682 2.96% 823
2016 58.51% 14,433 38.20% 9,424 3.29% 811
2012 44.17% 9,965 52.88% 11,930 2.94% 664
2008 34.55% 8,418 63.49% 15,468 1.96% 478
2004 52.14% 11,903 46.43% 10,601 1.43% 327
2000 46.42% 8,712 50.22% 9,425 3.36% 632
1996 40.23% 7,192 57.19% 10,224 2.58% 461
1992 39.44% 7,350 60.56% 11,287 2.58% 461
1988 58.28% 9,401 40.94% 6,604 0.77% 125
1984 52.10% 8,777 47.90% 8,068 0.00% 0
1980 51.93% 8,797 47.89% 8,113 0.18% 30
1976 47.82% 7,569 52.13% 8,251 0.04% 7

Federal
U.S. Senate — Missouri — St. Francois County (2018)[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 13,111 59.98%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 7,770 35.54%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 342 1.56%
Green Jo Crain 157 0.72%
Independent Craig O'Dear 447 2.04%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — St. Francois County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 13,110 53.32% +12.57
Democratic Jason Kander 10,117 41.15% -11.23
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 661 2.69% -4.18
Green Johnathan McFarland 431 1.75% +1.75
Constitution Fred Ryman 269 1.09% +1.09
U.S. Senate — Missouri — St. Francois County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 9,142 40.75%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 11,751 52.38%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 1,540 6.87%

St. Francois County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason T. Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.

U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2020)[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 19,505 71.53
Democratic Kathy Ellis 7,170 26.30
Libertarian Tom Schmitz 576 2.11
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2018)[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 14,051 65.16%
Democratic Kathy Ellis 7,052 32.70%
Libertarian Jonathan Shell 444 2.06%
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 16,309 68.07% +8.72
Democratic Dave Cowell 6,933 28.94% -1.86
Libertarian Jonathan Shell 718 3.00% +0.66
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 7,317 59.35% -2.46
Democratic Barbara Stocker 3,798 30.80% -2.64
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 288 2.34% +1.27
Constitution Doug Enyart 465 3.77% +0.50
Independent Terry Hampton 461 3.74% +3.74
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — Special Election – St. Francois County (2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 1,850 61.81% -7.50
Democratic Steve Hodges 1,001 33.44% +5.73
Libertarian Bill Slantz 32 1.07% -1.91
Constitution Doug Enyart 98 3.27% +3.27
Write-In Wayne L. Byington 12 0.40% +0.40
U.S. House of Representatives — District 8 — St. Francois County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson 15,423 69.31%
Democratic Jack Rushin 6,166 27.71%
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 664 2.98%
United States presidential election results for St. Francois County, Missouri[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 20,511 73.08% 7,044 25.10% 510 1.82%
2016 17,468 70.10% 6,250 25.08% 1,202 4.82%
2012 13,248 58.35% 8,829 38.89% 628 2.77%
2008 12,660 51.57% 11,540 47.01% 350 1.43%
2004 12,087 52.71% 10,748 46.87% 98 0.43%
2000 9,327 49.50% 9,075 48.17% 439 2.33%
1996 6,200 34.98% 9,034 50.96% 2,492 14.06%
1992 5,889 31.08% 9,367 49.44% 3,691 19.48%
1988 7,923 49.13% 8,158 50.59% 46 0.29%
1984 9,792 57.84% 7,137 42.16% 0 0.00%
1980 8,914 52.70% 7,495 44.31% 507 3.00%
1976 7,002 44.01% 8,852 55.63% 57 0.36%
1972 8,812 65.42% 4,658 34.58% 0 0.00%
1968 7,492 47.60% 6,379 40.53% 1,867 11.86%
1964 5,690 35.00% 10,567 65.00% 0 0.00%
1960 10,131 58.44% 7,205 41.56% 0 0.00%
1956 9,968 56.85% 7,566 43.15% 0 0.00%
1952 9,672 54.55% 8,040 45.35% 17 0.10%
1948 6,234 46.03% 7,276 53.73% 32 0.24%
1944 7,320 52.00% 6,745 47.92% 11 0.08%
1940 8,687 51.55% 8,132 48.26% 32 0.19%
1936 7,271 47.79% 7,876 51.77% 66 0.43%
1932 6,017 43.59% 7,613 55.15% 174 1.26%
1928 9,040 68.34% 4,171 31.53% 17 0.13%
1924 6,117 51.16% 5,542 46.35% 297 2.48%
1920 5,504 49.86% 5,300 48.01% 235 2.13%
1916 3,015 43.79% 3,675 53.38% 195 2.83%
1912 2,305 37.03% 2,786 44.76% 1,134 18.22%
1908 3,260 48.56% 2,942 43.83% 511 7.61%
1904 2,894 51.25% 2,615 46.31% 138 2.44%
1900 2,295 45.30% 2,707 53.43% 64 1.26%
1896 1,664 42.37% 2,245 57.17% 18 0.46%
1892 1,253 36.53% 2,141 62.42% 36 1.05%
1888 1,445 38.44% 2,214 58.90% 100 2.66%

Covid-19 controversy

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the head of the St. Francois County Public Health Department described being driven to resign from her position by residents who refused to "accept the reality of the pandemic" and made “cowardly“ anonymous threats against her and her family.[26]

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in St. Francois County, 72.4% possess a high school diploma or higher while 10.2% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest level of educational attainment.

Public schools

Private schools

Vocational-technical and other schools
  • Juvenile Detention Center – Farmington – (04–12)
  • Midwest Learning Center – Farmington – (04–12)
  • Unitec Career Center – Bonne Terre – (10–12)

Colleges and universities

Public libraries
  • Bonne Terre Memorial Library[27]

Farmington Public Library

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Former community

See also

References

 This article incorporates text from Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, by Robert A. Campbell, a publication from 1874, now in the public domain in the United States.

  1. "QuickFacts St. Francois County, Missouri; United States". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 358.
  4. St. Francois County, Missouri Place Names Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine, Western Historical Manuscript Collection
  5. Adler, Eric (January 5, 2022). "Missouri seal was the work of a county commissioner. The internet can't stop laughing". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. Amelia Bamsey (January 11, 2022). "This might just be the worst logo we've ever seen". Creative Bloq. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  7. Salcedo, Andrea (January 12, 2022). "A Missouri county's 'cluttered' seal was ridiculed online. It prompted a global search for a replacement". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  8. Jenkins, Kevin (March 19, 2018). "Commission unveils new county seal". Daily Journal Online. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  9. Sullivan, Becky (January 6, 2022). "A Missouri county asks for help designing a new seal after old one turns heads online". NPR. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  10. Marberry, Mark (January 4, 2022). "Commission agrees to county seal redesign, contest". Daily Journal Online. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  11. "Finch Wins County Seal Contest". www.kfmo.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  12. "St. Francois County Seal Finalists". www.kfmo.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  16. "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 20, 2014.
  17. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  18. "Parishes - Nativity of the Holy Virgin Mary Church". oca.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  19. "Archdiocese of St. Louis – The Roman Catholic Church in Saint Louis, MO". archstl.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  20. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – St. Francois County, Missouri".
  21. "November 3, 2020 Official Results".
  22. "Election Results".
  23. St. Francois County Clerk (2018), Statement of Votes Cast (PDF)
  24. "Missouri U.S. House - District 8 Election Results | des Moines Register". The Des Moines Register.
  25. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  26. Elliott, Amber, as told to Eli Saslow. ‘This is how we treat each other? This is who we are?' Washington Post, 18 November 2020.
  27. Breeding, Marshall. "Bonne Terre Memorial Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.

37°46′55″N 90°25′20″W

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