DeKalb_County,_Missouri
DeKalb County, Missouri
County in Missouri, United States
DeKalb County is a county located in the northwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,029.[1] Its county seat is Maysville.[2] The county was organized February 25, 1845[3] and named for General Johann de Kalb,[4] Baron de Kalb, of the Revolutionary War.
DeKalb County | |
|---|---|
DeKalb County Courthouse in Maysville | |
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 39°54′N 94°24′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | February 25, 1845 |
| Named for | Johann de Kalb |
| Seat | Maysville |
| Largest city | Cameron |
| Area | |
| • Total | 426 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Land | 421 sq mi (1,090 km2) |
| • Water | 4.5 sq mi (12 km2) 1.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 11,029 |
| • Density | 26/sq mi (10.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
DeKalb County is part of the St. Joseph, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS Combined Statistical Area.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 426 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 421 square miles (1,090 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5]
Adjacent counties
- Gentry County (north)
- Daviess County (east)
- Caldwell County (southeast)
- Clinton County (south)
- Buchanan County (southwest)
- Andrew County (west)
Major highways
.svg){kind=small}
.JPG){kind=link}
Transit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,075 | — | |
| 1860 | 5,224 | 151.8% | |
| 1870 | 9,858 | 88.7% | |
| 1880 | 13,334 | 35.3% | |
| 1890 | 14,539 | 9.0% | |
| 1900 | 14,418 | −0.8% | |
| 1910 | 12,531 | −13.1% | |
| 1920 | 11,694 | −6.7% | |
| 1930 | 10,270 | −12.2% | |
| 1940 | 9,751 | −5.1% | |
| 1950 | 8,047 | −17.5% | |
| 1960 | 7,226 | −10.2% | |
| 1970 | 7,305 | 1.1% | |
| 1980 | 8,222 | 12.6% | |
| 1990 | 9,967 | 21.2% | |
| 2000 | 11,597 | 16.4% | |
| 2010 | 12,892 | 11.2% | |
| 2020 | 11,029 | −14.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 9,899 | [6] | −10.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1] | |||
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 11,597 people, 3,528 households and 2,473 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 inhabitants per square mile (10/km2). There were 3,839 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.09% White, 8.86% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races and 0.93% from two or more races. Approximately 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,528 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 9.60% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 36.30% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64 and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 152.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 168.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,654 and the median income for a family was $37,329. Males had a median income of $28,434 versus $20,207 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,687. About 7.20% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.80% of those under age 18 and 75.20% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), DeKalb 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 DeKalb County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (37.63%), United Methodists (19.88%) and Community of Christ (14.82%).
2020 Census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 9,653 | 87.52% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 672 | 6.1% |
| Native American (NH) | 30 | 0.27% |
| Asian (NH) | 42 | 0.38% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 2 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 403 | 3.65% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 227 | 2.06% |
Public Schools
- Maysville R-I School District – Maysville
- Maysville Elementary School (K-06)
- Maysville Junior/Senior High School (07-12)
- Osborn R-0 School District – Osborn
- Osborn Elementary School (K-06)
- Osborn Senior High School (07-12)
- Stewartsville C-2 School District – Stewartsville
- Stewartsville Elementary School (K-06)
- Stewartsville Senior High School (07-12)
- Union Star R-II School District – Union Star
- Union Star Elementary School (K-06)
- Union Star Senior High School (07-12)
Public libraries
 |
Local
The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in DeKalb County.
| DeKalb County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Tanya Zimmerman | Republican | |
| Circuit Clerk | Julie Whitsell | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Melissa (Missy) Meek | Republican | |
| Collector | Jessica Lee | Republican | |
| Commissioner (Presiding) | Kyle Carroll | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 1) | Chet Owen | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 2) | Kyle White | Republican | |
| Coroner | Heath Turner | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Erik C. Tate | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Connie Bray | Republican | |
| Recorder | Ashley Johnson | Republican | |
| Sheriff | Kasey Keesaman | Republican | |
| Treasurer | Jessica Lee | Republican | |
State
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 78.14% 3,763 | 19.31% 930 | 2.55% 123 |
| 2016 | 66.63% 3,061 | 30.76% 1,413 | 2.61% 120 |
| 2012 | 55.06% 2,394 | 41.74% 1,815 | 3.20% 139 |
| 2008 | 50.13% 2,332 | 46.80% 2,177 | 3.07% 143 |
| 2004 | 57.93% 2,710 | 40.40% 1,890 | 1.67% 78 |
| 2000 | 52.93% 2,129 | 44.70% 1,798 | 2.37% 95 |
| 1996 | 34.11% 1,317 | 63.30% 2,444 | 2.59% 100 |
DeKalb County is a part of Missouri's 2nd District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Mazzie Boyd (R-Hamilton).[15]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | J. Eggleston | 3,905 | 82.35% | -17.65 | |
| Democratic | Mindi Smith | 837 | 17.65% | +17.65 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | J. Eggleston | 3,349 | 100.00% | ±0.00 | |
DeKalb County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe).[16]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 2,899 | 78.27% | -21.73 | |
| Democratic | Terry Richard | 805 | 21.73% | +21.73 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Hegeman | 2,300 | 100.00% | ||
Federal
All of DeKalb 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. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 3,840 | 80.42% | +2.68 | |
| Democratic | Gena L. Ross | 820 | 17.17% | -1.13 | |
| Libertarian | Jim Higgins | 115 | 2.41% | -1.55 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 2,923 | 77.74% | +1.32 | |
| Democratic | Henry Robert Martin | 688 | 18.30% | -1.72 | |
| Libertarian | Dan Hogan | 149 | 3.96% | +1.48 | |
Daviess 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).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Josh Hawley | 2,584 | 68.52% | +21.97 | |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 1,011 | 26.81% | -18.23 | |
| Independent | Craig O'Dear | 98 | 2.60% | ||
| Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 58 | 1.54% | -6.87 | |
| Green | Jo Crain | 20 | 0.53% | +0.53 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 2,826 | 61.83% | +15.28 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 1,478 | 32.33% | -12.71 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 146 | 3.19% | -5.22 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 50 | 1.09% | +1.09 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 71 | 1.55% | +1.55 | |
Political culture
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 3,828 | 78.90% | 930 | 19.17% | 94 | 1.94% |
| 2016 | 3,540 | 76.52% | 824 | 17.81% | 262 | 5.66% |
| 2012 | 3,056 | 70.25% | 1,194 | 27.45% | 100 | 2.30% |
| 2008 | 2,889 | 61.29% | 1,692 | 35.89% | 133 | 2.82% |
| 2004 | 2,941 | 62.76% | 1,707 | 36.43% | 38 | 0.81% |
| 2000 | 2,363 | 58.36% | 1,562 | 38.58% | 124 | 3.06% |
| 1996 | 1,627 | 42.30% | 1,679 | 43.66% | 540 | 14.04% |
| 1992 | 1,318 | 31.60% | 1,630 | 39.08% | 1,223 | 29.32% |
| 1988 | 1,863 | 48.48% | 1,970 | 51.26% | 10 | 0.26% |
| 1984 | 2,188 | 59.91% | 1,464 | 40.09% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 2,062 | 53.08% | 1,677 | 43.17% | 146 | 3.76% |
| 1976 | 1,739 | 46.02% | 2,023 | 53.53% | 17 | 0.45% |
| 1972 | 2,766 | 67.38% | 1,339 | 32.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,112 | 54.87% | 1,452 | 37.72% | 285 | 7.40% |
| 1964 | 1,679 | 41.70% | 2,347 | 58.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,484 | 59.41% | 1,697 | 40.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 2,538 | 57.55% | 1,872 | 42.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 3,073 | 63.28% | 1,773 | 36.51% | 10 | 0.21% |
| 1948 | 2,098 | 50.74% | 2,033 | 49.17% | 4 | 0.10% |
| 1944 | 2,658 | 57.47% | 1,961 | 42.40% | 6 | 0.13% |
| 1940 | 3,072 | 54.93% | 2,505 | 44.79% | 16 | 0.29% |
| 1936 | 2,872 | 51.56% | 2,680 | 48.11% | 18 | 0.32% |
| 1932 | 1,747 | 40.74% | 2,519 | 58.75% | 22 | 0.51% |
| 1928 | 3,338 | 63.53% | 1,898 | 36.12% | 18 | 0.34% |
| 1924 | 2,730 | 52.58% | 2,368 | 45.61% | 94 | 1.81% |
| 1920 | 3,001 | 57.83% | 2,121 | 40.87% | 67 | 1.29% |
| 1916 | 1,640 | 49.22% | 1,647 | 49.43% | 45 | 1.35% |
| 1912 | 1,090 | 33.11% | 1,652 | 50.18% | 550 | 16.71% |
| 1908 | 1,703 | 50.53% | 1,632 | 48.43% | 35 | 1.04% |
| 1904 | 1,768 | 51.23% | 1,607 | 46.57% | 76 | 2.20% |
| 1900 | 1,669 | 46.21% | 1,840 | 50.94% | 103 | 2.85% |
| 1896 | 1,590 | 42.00% | 2,167 | 57.24% | 29 | 0.77% |
| 1892 | 1,339 | 41.61% | 1,372 | 42.64% | 507 | 15.76% |
| 1888 | 1,598 | 48.57% | 1,573 | 47.81% | 119 | 3.62% |
At the presidential level, DeKalb County is solidly Republican. Donald Trump carried the county easily in 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry DeKalb County in 1996. The last Democrat to win majority support from the county's voters was Michael Dukakis in 1988.
Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in DeKalb County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings, at least on the state and national levels. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed in DeKalb County with 80.7% of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71% support from voters. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in DeKalb County with 55.9% voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51% of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite DeKalb 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 in DeKalb County with 67.7% of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99% voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.) 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. 65.70% of DeKalb County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.
Missouri presidential preference primaries
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 DeKalb County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Biden | 309 | 60.47 | ||
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 162 | 31.70 | ||
| Democratic | Tulsi Gabbard | 9 | 1.76 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 16 | 2.06 | ||
Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Daviess County and statewide by large margins.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 486 | 96.24 | ||
| Republican | Bill Weld | 6 | 1.19 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 13 | 2.57 | ||
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 both DeKalb County and the state overall. He went on to win the presidency.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald Trump | 800 | 43.96 | ||
| Republican | Ted Cruz | 720 | 39.56 | ||
| Republican | John Kasich | 128 | 7.03 | ||
| Republican | Marco Rubio | 105 | 5.77 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 67 | 3.68 | ||
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin, but lost DeKalb County to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernie Sanders | 328 | 57.65 | ||
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 223 | 39.19 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 18 | 3.16 | ||
2012
In the 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary, voters in DeKalb 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 state convention were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum.
2008
In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) won the vote in Caldwell County.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mitt Romney | 337 | 32.85 | ||
| Republican | John McCain | 310 | 30.21 | ||
| Republican | Mike Huckabee | 276 | 26.90 | ||
| Republican | Ron Paul | 81 | 7.89 | ||
| Republican | Others/Uncommitted | 22 | 2.14 | ||
Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in DeKalb 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.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Hillary Clinton | 596 | 57.86 | ||
| Democratic | Barack Obama | 372 | 36.12 | ||
| Democratic | Others/Uncommitted | 62 | 6.02 | ||
- "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 284.
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 103.
- "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- "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 15, 2014.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- Breeding, Marshall. "Cameron Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- "DeKalb County Public Library". Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- "Missouri House of Representatives District 2". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- "Missouri State Senate District 12". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of DeKalb County Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books