Jefferson County, Missouri


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Jefferson County is located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is a part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 226,739,[1] making it the sixth-most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Hillsboro.[2] The county was organized in 1818 and named in honor of former president Thomas Jefferson.[3][4] In 1980, according to the U.S. census held that year, the county contained the mean center of U.S. population. Notably, this was the first census in which the center of population was west of the Mississippi River. Jefferson County is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area and encompasses many of the city's southern suburbs.

Jefferson County

The Jefferson County Courthouse in Hillsboro

The Jefferson County Courthouse in Hillsboro

Official seal of Jefferson County

Seal

Map of Missouri highlighting Jefferson County

Location within the U.S. state of Missouri

Map of the United States highlighting Missouri

Missouri's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 38°16′N 90°32′W / 38.26°N 90.54°W
Country United States
State Missouri
Founded1818
Named forThomas Jefferson
SeatHillsboro
Largest cityArnold
Area
 • Total664 sq mi (1,720 km2)
 • Land657 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Water7.7 sq mi (20 km2)  1.2%
Population

 (2020)

 • Total226,739 Increase
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 3rd, 8th
Websitewww.jeffcomo.org

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 664 square miles (1,720 km2), of which 657 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (1.2%) is water.[5] The county's eastern border is the Mississippi River.

National protected area

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18201,835—
18302,59241.3%
18404,29665.7%
18506,92861.3%
186010,34449.3%
187015,38048.7%
188018,73621.8%
189022,48420.0%
190025,71214.4%
191027,8788.4%
192026,555−4.7%
193027,5633.8%
194032,02316.2%
195038,00718.7%
196066,37774.6%
1970105,24858.6%
1980146,18338.9%
1990171,38017.2%
2000198,09915.6%
2010218,73310.4%
2020226,7393.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2019[10]

As of the 2020 Census Jefferson County had a population of 226,739. The ethnic and racial makeup of the county was 90.4% white (89.7% non-Hispanic white), 1.0% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% Asian, 0.8% some other race, and 6.6% two or more races. 2.4% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino origin.[11]

As of the 2010 Census Jefferson County had a population of 218,733. The reported ethnic and racial make up of the population was 95.4% non-Hispanic white, 0.8% African-American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% reporting some other race, 1.3% reporting two or more races and 1.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 198,099 people, 71,499 households, and 54,553 families residing in the county. The population density was 302 inhabitants per square mile (117/km2). There were 75,586 housing units at an average density of 115 units per square mile (44/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.48% White, 0.68% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Approximately 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 71,499 households, out of which 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 18.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $60,636, and the median income for a family was $66,697. Males had a median income of $37,822 versus $25,440 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,058. About 4.90% of families and 6.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

There were 146,316 registered voters in 2008.[14] As of October 24, 2012, there were 148,011.[15]

Jefferson County Racial Composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 203,287 89.66%
Black or African American (NH) 2,295 1%
Native American (NH) 617 0.27%
Asian (NH) 1,839 0.81%
Pacific Islander (NH) 71 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 13,078 5.77%
Hispanic or Latino 5,552 2.45%
  • Christian Outreach School (K-12) - Hillsboro - Nondenominational Christian
  • People's Christian Academy (K-12) - Arnold - Assembly of God/Pentecostal
  • St. Pius X High School (09-12) - Festus - Roman Catholic
  • Twin City Christian Academy (PK-12) - Festus - Baptist
  • Good Shepherd Catholic School - (K-08) - Hillsboro - Roman Catholic
  • Holy Child Elementary & Middle School - Arnold - (K-08) - Roman Catholic
  • Manna Christian Academy - De Soto - (K-12) - Southern Baptist
  • Our Lady's Catholic School - Festus - (K-08) - Roman Catholic
  • Sacred Heart Catholic School - Festus - (K-08) - Roman Catholic
  • St. Anthony's Catholic School - High Ridge - (K-08) - Roman Catholic
  • St. Joseph's Catholic School - Imperial - (K-08) - Roman Catholic
  • St. Johns Lutheran School - Arnold - (PK-08) - Lutheran
  • St. Johns School - Imperial - (K-08) - Nondenominational Christianity
  • St. Rose of Lima Catholic School - De Soto - (K-08) - Roman Catholic

Jefferson College - Hillsboro A public, two-year community college

  • Crystal City Public Library[17]
  • De Soto Public Library[18]
  • Festus Public Library[19]
  • Herculaneum Public Library[20]
  • Jefferson County Public Library[21]

Historically, the Democratic Party has controlled politics at the local level; starting in 2010 the Republican Party has flipped the county with 66% of the population voting Republican in 2020.

Jefferson County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Robert Boyer Republican
Auditor Kristy Apprill Republican
Circuit Clerk Michael Reuter Republican
County Clerk Jeannie Goff Republican
County Executive Dennis Gannon Republican
Collector Michelle Worth Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski Republican
Public Administrator Tracey Perry Republican
Recorder Debbie Dunnegan Republican
Sheriff Dave Marshak Republican
Treasurer Paula Wagner Republican

Jefferson County is divided into seven legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives; All of which are held by Republicans. Jefferson County consists of two State Senate Districts.

Past gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 63.91% 73,942 33.59% 38,866 2.50% 2,886
2016 53.62% 56.755 42.74% 45.234 3.64% 3,848
2012 41.75% 40,470 55.68% 53,971 2.56% 2,484
2008 34.42% 35,947 63.87% 66,697 1.71% 1,781
2004 49.23% 45,891 49.25% 45,909 1.52% 1,424
2000 47.05% 36,060 49.33% 37,808 3.62% 2,775
1996 43.90% 28,986 52.96% 34,970 3.14% 2,077
  • District 111 Shane Roden (R-Cedar Hill). Consists of Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill, Cedar Hill Lakes, House Springs, and Scottsdale.
  • District 112 Rob Vescovo (R-Arnold). Consists of areas near Arnold and Byrnes Mill.
  • District 113 Dan Shaul (R-Imperial). Consists of most Arnold, all of Imperial and Kimmswick, and part of Barnhart.
  • District 114 Becky Ruth (R-Festus). Consists of part of Barnhart, and all of Crystal City, Festus, Herculaneum, and Pevely.
  • District 118 Mike McGirl (R-Potosi). Consists of De Soto and Hillsboro.

Jefferson County is also divided into two districts in the Missouri Senate.

  • District 3 — Elaine Gannon (R-De Soto) Consists of De Soto, Hillsboro, and Olympian Village as well as part of Festus.

Jefferson County is divided among three congressional districts. Prior to the 2012 election all of it was included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District, but now about half of it is in the 3rd District, while the northeastern portion is in the 2nd Congressional District and the southern portion is in the 8th Congressional District.

United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Missouri[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 77,046 65.88% 37,523 32.08% 2,384 2.04%
2016 69,036 64.52% 31,568 29.50% 6,391 5.97%
2012 53,978 55.07% 41,564 42.40% 2,482 2.53%
2008 50,804 47.91% 53,467 50.42% 1,779 1.68%
2004 46,624 49.99% 46,057 49.38% 583 0.63%
2000 36,766 47.62% 38,616 50.02% 1,822 2.36%
1996 23,877 36.12% 32,073 48.52% 10,152 15.36%
1992 20,637 28.08% 32,569 44.31% 20,295 27.61%
1988 29,279 51.16% 27,738 48.47% 215 0.38%
1984 34,525 63.29% 20,026 36.71% 0 0.00%
1980 28,546 52.01% 24,042 43.81% 2,294 4.18%
1976 18,261 41.58% 25,159 57.29% 495 1.13%
1972 21,947 61.42% 13,787 38.58% 0 0.00%
1968 11,708 37.70% 13,230 42.60% 6,115 19.69%
1964 7,887 29.43% 18,916 70.57% 0 0.00%
1960 12,910 43.09% 17,054 56.91% 0 0.00%
1956 10,712 43.58% 13,868 56.42% 0 0.00%
1952 9,607 42.82% 12,808 57.08% 22 0.10%
1948 6,085 37.02% 10,280 62.55% 70 0.43%
1944 6,758 45.83% 7,953 53.94% 34 0.23%
1940 7,517 43.92% 9,553 55.82% 45 0.26%
1936 5,575 37.23% 9,158 61.16% 241 1.61%
1932 4,559 35.50% 8,130 63.30% 155 1.21%
1928 6,285 54.47% 5,231 45.34% 22 0.19%
1924 4,870 48.88% 4,356 43.72% 737 7.40%
1920 5,730 54.08% 4,684 44.21% 181 1.71%
1916 3,310 51.01% 3,021 46.56% 158 2.43%
1912 2,127 40.84% 2,368 45.47% 713 13.69%
1908 3,050 52.00% 2,698 46.00% 117 1.99%
1904 2,909 52.09% 2,560 45.84% 116 2.08%
1900 2,775 49.20% 2,798 49.61% 67 1.19%
1896 2,876 50.46% 2,785 48.87% 38 0.67%
1892 2,207 44.70% 2,617 53.01% 113 2.29%
1888 2,228 47.31% 2,438 51.77% 43 0.91%

A predominantly suburban county, Jefferson County used to be fairly independent-leaning at the federal level with a tendency to tilt Democratic. Presidential elections in Jefferson County were often very close; George W. Bush just narrowly carried the county in 2004 by less than 600 votes and by just over a half of a percentage point. Al Gore and Barack Obama also just narrowly carried the county in 2000 and 2008, respectively. Bill Clinton, however, did manage to carry Jefferson County by double digits both times in 1992 and 1996. However, in 2012 the county, in line with the state as a whole, began to swing hard to the right with Mitt Romney carrying it with 55% of the vote. In 2016 Donald Trump won the county with 65% of the vote, the largest margin of any candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

Typical of the suburban culture in most counties throughout the country, voters in Jefferson County tend to be rather centrist on social issues but more liberal on economic issues. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Jefferson County with 72.56 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it narrowly passed Jefferson County with 51.85 percent voting for 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. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Jefferson County with 79.90 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

2008 Missouri presidential primary

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Republican

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) won Jefferson County with 33.54% of the vote. Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts finished in second with 30.45% of the vote, while former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) came in third with 30.19% in Jefferson County. Libertarian-leaning U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) finished a distant fourth place with 3.94% of the vote in Jefferson County. McCain received all of Missouri's 58 delegates as the Republican Party utilizes the winner-takes-all system.

Democratic

U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won Jefferson County over Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) with 61.32% of the vote, while Obama received 35.02% of the vote. Although he withdrew from the race, former U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-North Carolina) still received 2.74% of the vote in Jefferson County. Jefferson County gave Clinton one of her strongest showings in a predominantly suburban county in the entire country.

Clinton had a large initial lead in Missouri at the beginning of the evening as the rural precincts began to report, leading several news organizations to call the state for her; however, Obama rallied from behind as the heavily African American precincts from St. Louis began to report and eventually put him over the top. In the end, Obama received 49.32 percent of the vote to Clinton's 47.90% — a 1.42% difference. Both candidates split Missouri's 72 delegates, as the Democratic Party utilizes proportional representation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton received more votes, a total of 19,075, than any candidate from either party in Jefferson County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Primaries. She also received more votes than the total number of votes cast in the entire Republican Primary in Jefferson County.

According to a 2012 census study by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jefferson County led the Saint Louis metropolitan area in the number of adults who smoke, roughly 30% of all adult residents of Jefferson County smoked or used tobacco in some form, compared to the 19% national average and the 24% Missouri state average.[29][30] Jefferson County and the state of Missouri led the nation in methamphetamine production, peaking in the mid-2000s.[31]

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation

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  • Big River Saddle Club
  • Brown's Ford
  • Cedar Hill
  • Fletcher House
  • High Ridge Civic Center
  • Rockford Beach
  • Jefferson Winter Park
  • Morse Mill
  • Pleasant Valley
  • Sunridge
  • NW Jefferson County Sports Complex

Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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  1. ^ "Explore Census Data".
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 179.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 168.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 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 December 18, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  11. ^ "Madison County, Illinois". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  12. ^ 2010 census report for Jefferson County, Missouri
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Registered Voters in Missouri 2008". Archived from the original on November 16, 2011.
  15. ^ "Registered Voters in Missouri". Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012. Retrieved on July 9, 2013
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jefferson County, Missouri".
  17. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Crystal City Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  18. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "De Soto Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  19. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Festus Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  20. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Herculaneum Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  21. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Jefferson County Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i https://www.jeffcomo.org/DocumentCenter/View/10797/11-3-2020-General-Presidential-Election-Summary-PDF [bare URL PDF]
  23. ^ a b c d e f https://www.jeffcomo.org/DocumentCenter/View/3500/11-2018---General-Election-Summary-PDF [bare URL PDF]
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Official Results November 8, 2016 General Election" (PDF). Jefferson County Clerk. November 8, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "November 4, 2014 General Election Official Results" (PDF). Jefferson County Clerk. November 4, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Certification of Election Results" (PDF). Jefferson County Clerk. November 6, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  27. ^ "June 4, 2013 Special Election" (PDF). Jefferson County Clerk. June 4, 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  28. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  29. ^ lthorsen@post-dispatch.com > 636-937-6249, LEAH THORSEN • (April 9, 2012). "Jefferson County leads area in smoking rate". stltoday.com. Retrieved March 2, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "Jefferson County to Jefferson Countians: Quit Smoking Fatsos". Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  31. ^ Stateline.org, Christine Vestal (July 17, 2017). "Meth making a comeback, but it's not your neighbors cooking it anymore". stltoday.com.

38°16′N 90°32′W / 38.26°N 90.54°W