Stoddard County, Missouri

Stoddard County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,672.[1] The county seat is Bloomfield.[2] The county was officially organized on January 2, 1835, and is named for Amos Stoddard, the first American commandant (an early term for "governor") of Upper Louisiana.[3]

Stoddard County
County
The Stoddard County Courthouse in Bloomfield
The Stoddard County Courthouse in Bloomfield
Map of Missouri highlighting Stoddard County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°52′N 89°57′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedJanuary 2, 1835
Named forAmos Stoddard
SeatBloomfield
Largest cityDexter
Area
 • Total829 sq mi (2,150 km2)
 • Land823 sq mi (2,130 km2)
 • Water5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total28,672
 • Density35/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 829 square miles (2,150 km2), of which 823 square miles (2,130 km2) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18403,153—
18504,27735.6%
18607,87784.2%
18708,5358.4%
188013,43157.4%
189017,32729.0%
190024,66942.4%
191027,80712.7%
192029,7557.0%
193027,452−7.7%
194033,00920.2%
195033,4631.4%
196029,490−11.9%
197025,771−12.6%
198029,00912.6%
199028,895−0.4%
200029,7052.8%
201029,9680.9%
202028,672−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[9] 2020[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there 29,705 people, 12,064 households, and 8,480 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14 people/km2). There were 13,221 housing units at an average density of 16 units per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.34% White, 0.91% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Approximately 0.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.4% were of American, 15.4% German, 12.4% Irish and 8.5% English ancestry.

There were 12,064 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,120, and the median income for a family was $41,072. Males had a median income of $26,514 versus $17,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,003. About 12.80% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 17.60% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Stoddard County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Stoddard County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (41.4%), Methodists (12.9%), and Pentecostal (8.3%).[11]

2020 Census
Stoddard County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 26,610 92.8%
Black or African American (NH) 298 1.04%
Native American (NH) 67 0.23%
Asian (NH) 90 0.31%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,039 3.62%
Hispanic or Latino 566 2%

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominately controls politics at the local level in Stoddard County. Republicans hold ten of the elected positions in the county. In the 2016 election, Sheriff Carl Hefner, who originally ran as a Democrat, switched parties and ran as a Republican.

Stoddard County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Daniel Creg Republican
Circuit Clerk Paula Yancey Republican
County Clerk Cecil Weeks Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Greg Mathis Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Greg Lintz Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Carol Jarrell Republican
Coroner Brent Stidham Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith Republican
Public Administrator Cindy Duckworth Republican
Recorder Candy Collier Republican
Sheriff Carl Hefner Republican
Surveyor Joseph R Pulliam Republican
Treasurer Joshua Speakman Republican

State

Stoddard County is divided among three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives.

  • District 159 – Currently represented by Herman Morse (R-Dexter) and consists of most of the county, including Advance, Bell City, Bloomfield, Dexter, Dudley, and Puxico.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 159 - Stoddard County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Pat Wright* 5,999 71.33 +8.70
Democratic Bill Burlison 2,411 28.67 -8.70
  • District 161 – Currently represented by Steve Hodges (D-East Prairie) and consists of some of the southeastern portions of the county along the New Madrid County border including Baker, Essex, and Penermon.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 161 - Stoddard County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ron McCormick 257 59.49 +59.49
Democratic Steve Hodges* 175 40.51 -59.49
  • District 163 – Currently represented by Kent Hampton (R-Malden) and consists of the southwestern corner along the Dunklin and Butler county lines, including Bernie. Democratic incumbent Tom Todd was defeated by Republican challenger Kent Hampton in 2010.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 163 - Stoddard County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kent Hampton 654 63.01 +63.01
Democratic Tom Todd* 384 36.99 -37.86

All of Stoddard County is a part of Missouri's 25th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by State Senator Rob Mayer (R-Dexter). In 2008, Mayer defeated Democrat M. Shane Stoelting 65.32%-34.68% in the district. The 25th Senatorial District consists of Butler, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne counties.

Missouri Senate - District 25 - Stoddard County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rob Mayer 9,894 75.51
Democratic M. Shane Stoelting 3,209 24.49
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 84.50% 11,269 13.90% 1,855 1.2% 162
2016 73.80% 9,792 24.00% 3,179 1.0% 127
2012 50.99% 6,514 46.81% 5,980 2.19% 280
2008 52.85% 6,919 45.33% 5,934 1.82% 239
2004 61.63% 8,152 37.35% 4,940 1.03% 136
2000 52.83% 6,537 45.98% 5,689 1.19% 147
1996 39.80% 4,423 58.49% 6,501 1.71% 190
1992 46.69% 5,487 53.31% 6,265 0.00% 0
1988 63.64% 6,634 36.30% 3,784 0.06% 6
1984 59.47% 6,421 40.53% 4,376 0.00% 0
1980 53.42% 6,093 46.54% 5,308 0.04% 5
1976 46.48% 4,617 53.50% 5,315 0.02% 2

Federal

Stoddard 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 – Stoddard County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson 10,043 78.49 +8.12
Democratic Jack Rushin 2,381 18.61 -7.42
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 372 2.91 +1.60
U.S. House of Representatives - District 8 - Special Election – Stoddard County (2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 1,968 67.33
Democratic Steve Hodges 787 26.92
Constitution Doug Enyart 87 2.98
Libertarian Bill Slantz 41 1.40
Write-In Robert W. George 20 0.68
Write-In Thomas Brown 20 0.68
U.S. House of Representatives - District 8 – Stoddard County (2020)[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 11,316 85.7
Democratic Kathy Ellis 1,738 13.2
Libertarian Tom Schmitz 155 1.2

Political culture
United States presidential election results for Stoddard County, Missouri[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 11,484 85.54% 1,819 13.55% 123 0.92%
2016 11,079 83.36% 1,876 14.11% 336 2.53%
2012 9,496 73.81% 3,153 24.51% 217 1.69%
2008 9,172 69.16% 3,899 29.40% 191 1.44%
2004 9,242 69.74% 3,946 29.78% 64 0.48%
2000 7,727 62.04% 4,476 35.94% 251 2.02%
1996 5,020 44.92% 4,883 43.69% 1,273 11.39%
1992 4,608 37.44% 5,720 46.47% 1,980 16.09%
1988 5,822 55.25% 4,701 44.61% 15 0.14%
1984 6,701 60.95% 4,294 39.05% 0 0.00%
1980 6,199 53.85% 5,128 44.54% 185 1.61%
1976 3,989 39.45% 6,097 60.30% 25 0.25%
1972 6,282 70.44% 2,636 29.56% 0 0.00%
1968 3,919 44.43% 3,150 35.71% 1,751 19.85%
1964 3,014 33.65% 5,944 66.35% 0 0.00%
1960 6,366 54.49% 5,317 45.51% 0 0.00%
1956 4,832 43.14% 6,369 56.86% 0 0.00%
1952 5,514 47.33% 6,110 52.45% 25 0.21%
1948 3,117 30.65% 7,029 69.12% 23 0.23%
1944 5,079 45.81% 5,982 53.96% 25 0.23%
1940 6,055 47.24% 6,725 52.47% 38 0.30%
1936 4,828 42.02% 6,608 57.51% 55 0.48%
1932 3,234 30.84% 7,139 68.09% 112 1.07%
1928 4,906 54.81% 4,016 44.87% 29 0.32%
1924 3,844 44.29% 4,348 50.09% 488 5.62%
1920 4,641 49.16% 4,428 46.90% 372 3.94%
1916 2,482 40.63% 3,274 53.59% 353 5.78%
1912 1,363 25.94% 2,603 49.54% 1,288 24.51%
1908 2,025 39.87% 2,736 53.87% 318 6.26%
1904 2,088 45.63% 2,265 49.50% 223 4.87%
1900 1,840 39.78% 2,695 58.26% 91 1.97%
1896 1,584 34.64% 2,968 64.90% 21 0.46%
1892 1,218 33.97% 2,220 61.92% 147 4.10%
1888 1,064 35.41% 1,919 63.86% 22 0.73%

At the presidential level, Stoddard County generally tends to lean Republican. John McCain carried Stoddard County over Barack Obama by more than a two-to-one margin in 2008. George W. Bush also carried Stoddard County twice in 2000 over Al Gore and in 2004 over John Kerry when he received just under 70 percent of the vote. Bill Clinton did manage to carry Stoddard County in 1992 but narrowly lost it in his reelection bid in 1996 to Bob Dole.

Like most rural areas, voters in Stoddard County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Stoddard County with 88.29 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 Stoddard County with 60.65 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 Stoddard 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 Stoddard County with 72.02 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)
Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

In the 2008 presidential primary, voters in Stoddard County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 2,225, than any candidate from either party in Stoddard County during the 2008 presidential primaries.

Education

Public schools

Public libraries
  • Advance Community Library[15]
  • Bernie Public Library[16]
  • Bloomfield Public Library[17]
  • Keller Public Library[18]
  • Puxico Public Library[19]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 366.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  8. "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 22, 2014.
  9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "County Membership Report - Stoddard County (Missouri)". www.thearda.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stoddard County, Missouri".
  13. "Missouri Election Results: Eighth Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  15. Breeding, Marshall. "Advance Community Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  16. Breeding, Marshall. "Bernie Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  17. Breeding, Marshall. "Bloomfield Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  18. Breeding, Marshall. "Keller Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  19. Breeding, Marshall. "Puxico Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.

36.86°N 89.95°W / 36.86; -89.95

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