Pettis County, Missouri

Summary

Pettis County is a county located in west central U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,980.[1] Its county seat is Sedalia.[2] The county was organized on January 24, 1833, and named after former U.S. Representative Spencer Darwin Pettis.

Pettis County
The Pettis County Courthouse in Sedalia
The Pettis County Courthouse in Sedalia
Map of Missouri highlighting Pettis 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°44′N 93°17′W / 38.73°N 93.28°W / 38.73; -93.28
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedJanuary 24, 1833
Named forSpencer Darwin Pettis
SeatSedalia
Largest citySedalia
Area
 • Total686 sq mi (1,780 km2)
 • Land682 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Water4.0 sq mi (10 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total42,980
 • Density63/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.pettiscomo.com

Pettis County comprises the Sedalia, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is home to the site of the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

Geography edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 686 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 682 square miles (1,770 km2) is land and 4.0 square miles (10 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3] It is drained by Lamine River and branches.[4]

Adjacent counties edit

Major highways edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18402,930
18505,15075.8%
18609,39282.4%
187018,70699.2%
188027,27145.8%
189031,15114.2%
190032,4384.1%
191033,9134.5%
192035,8135.6%
193034,664−3.2%
194033,336−3.8%
195031,577−5.3%
196035,12011.2%
197034,137−2.8%
198036,3786.6%
199035,437−2.6%
200039,40311.2%
201042,2017.1%
202042,9801.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 39,403 people, 15,568 households, and 10,570 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 16,963 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.06% White, 3.04% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.46% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Approximately 3.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,568 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,822, and the median income for a family was $38,073. Males had a median income of $29,221 versus $19,554 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,251. About 10.20% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census edit

Pettis County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 34,751 80.9%
Black or African American (NH) 1,353 3.15%
Native American (NH) 159 0.37%
Asian (NH) 294 0.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 120 0.28%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,287 5.32%
Hispanic or Latino 4,016 9.34%

Education edit

Public schools edit

  • Green Ridge R-VIII School District – Green Ridge
    • Green Ridge Elementary School (K-06)
    • Green Ridge High School (07-12)
  • La Monte R-IV School District – La Monte
    • La Monte Elementary School (PK-06)
    • La Monte High School (07-12)
  • Pettis County R-V School District – Hughesville
    • Northwest Elementary School (K-06)
    • Northwest High School (07-12)
  • Pettis County R-XII School District – Sedalia
    • Pettis County Elementary School (PK-08)
  • Sedalia School District No. 200] – Sedalia
    • Sedalia Early Childhood Education Center (PK)
    • Heber Hunt Elementary School (K-04)
    • Skyline Elementary School (K-04)
    • Parkview Elementary School (K-04)
    • Horace Mann Elementary School (K-04)
    • Washington Elementary School (K-04)
    • Sedalia Middle School (05)
    • Smith-Cotton Junior High School (06-08)
    • Smith-Cotton High School (9-12)
  • Smithton R-VI School District – Smithton
    • Smithton Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Smithton High School (07-12)

Private schools edit

Post-secondary edit

Public libraries edit

  • Boonslick Regional Library[12]
  • Sedalia Public Library[13]

Politics edit

Local edit

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Pettis County. Republicans currently hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.

Pettis County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Christopher Woolery Republican
Auditor Beverly Dillon Republican
Circuit Clerk Susan Sadler Republican
County Clerk Nick Lastrada Republican
Collector Marsha L. Boeschen Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)
Bill Taylor Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)
Israel Baeza Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)
Jim Marcum Republican
Coroner Robert “Skip” Smith Jr. Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Sawyer Republican
Public Administrator Charli Ackerman Democratic
Recorder Barbara Clevenger Republican
Sheriff Brad Anders Independent
Surveyor Kerry Turpin Democratic
Treasurer Kim Lyne Republican

State edit

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 71.85% 13,645 25.68% 4,876 2.47% 470
2016 61.95% 11,150 34.90% 6,281 3.14% 566
2012 47.32% 8,073 49.77% 8,490 2.91% 498
2008 42.55% 7,660 54.63% 9,834 2.82% 507
2004 57.30% 10,038 41.63% 7,293 1.06% 186
2000 54.65% 8,536 42.85% 6,692 2.50% 390
1996 44.63% 6,804 51.51% 7,853 3.86% 589

Pettis County is divided into four legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.

  • District 48 — Dave Muntzel (R-Boonville). Consists of the community of Smithton and the northeast section of the county.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Muntzel 1,327 84.74% -15.26
Independent Debra Dilks 239 15.26% +15.26
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Pettis County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Muntzel 751 100.00% +23.18
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Pettis County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Muntzel 1,160 76.82%
Democratic Ron Monnig 350 23.18%
  • District 51 — Dean Dohrman (R-La Monte). Consists of the communities of Houstonia, Hughesville, and La Monte and the northwest portion of the county.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 51 — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Dohrman 1,345 81.86% +3.76
Democratic John Cozort 298 18.14% +0.94
Missouri House of Representatives — District 51 — Pettis County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Dorhman 781 78.10% +3.91
Democratic Gary L. Grigsby 172 17.20% -5.31
Libertarian Bill Wayne 47 4.70%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 51 — Pettis County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dean Dohrman 1,190 74.19%
Democratic Gary L. Grigsby 361 22.51%
Libertarian Bill Wayne 53 3.30%
  • District 52 — Nathan Beard (R-Sedalia). Consists of the community of Sedalia.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 52 — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nathan Beard 8,449 70.58% -29.42
Democratic Kyle Garner 3,521 29.42% +29.42
Missouri House of Representatives — District 52 — Pettis County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nathan Beard 5,200 100.00% +38.24
Missouri House of Representatives — District 52 — Pettis County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Stanley Cox 7,012 61.76%
Democratic Phyllis Sue Domann 4,342 38.24%
  • District 54 — Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg). Consists of the community of Green Ridge and the southern portion of the county.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 54 — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Houx 1,784 71.62% -15.22
Democratic Bob Gregory 549 22.04% +22.04
Libertarian Steve Daugherty 158 6.34% +6.34
Missouri House of Representatives — District 54 — Pettis County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Denny Hoskins 1,142 86.84% +17.33
Constitution Daniel Plemmons 173 13.16% +13.16
Missouri House of Representatives — District 54 — Pettis County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Denny Hoskins 1,589 69.51%
Democratic Nancy Maxwell 626 27.38%
Independent Eddie Osobrne 71 3.11%

All of Pettis County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the Missouri Senate and was previously represented by Mike Parson but the seat is currently vacant.

Missouri Senate — District 28 — Pettis County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Parson 7,943 100.00%

Federal edit

U.S. President — Missouri — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald J. Trump 12,792 70.9%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 4,322 24.0%
Libertarian Gary Johnson 733 4.1%
Green Jill Stein 112 0.6%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 10,361 57.59% +15.12
Democratic Jason Kander 6,657 37.00% -11.67
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 538 2.99% -5.86
Green Johnathan McFarland 251 1.40% +1.40
Constitution Fred Ryman 184 1.02% +1.02
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Pettis County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 7,196 42.47%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 8,246 48.67%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 1,500 8.85%

All of Pettis 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Pettis County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 12,636 71.05% -0.94
Democratic Gordon Christensen 4,211 23.68% +1.26
Libertarian Mark Bliss 938 5.27% -0.32
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Pettis County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 6,718 71.99% +7.71
Democratic Nate Irvin 2,092 22.42% -9.12
Libertarian Herschel L. Young 522 5.59% +2.39
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Pettis County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicky Hartzler 10,781 64.28%
Democratic Teresa Hensley 5,290 31.54%
Libertarian Thomas Holbrook 537 3.20%
Constitution Greg Cowan 164 0.98%

Political culture edit

United States presidential election results for Pettis County, Missouri[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 13,854 72.55% 4,783 25.05% 460 2.41%
2016 12,810 70.37% 4,324 23.75% 1,070 5.88%
2012 10,842 63.13% 5,904 34.38% 429 2.50%
2008 11,018 60.32% 6,932 37.95% 315 1.72%
2004 11,603 66.32% 5,801 33.16% 92 0.53%
2000 9,533 60.51% 5,855 37.16% 367 2.33%
1996 7,336 48.06% 6,057 39.68% 1,872 12.26%
1992 6,823 41.43% 5,314 32.26% 4,333 26.31%
1988 9,648 63.47% 5,486 36.09% 66 0.43%
1984 10,991 67.00% 5,413 33.00% 0 0.00%
1980 8,833 55.76% 6,475 40.87% 533 3.36%
1976 7,344 48.01% 7,887 51.56% 65 0.42%
1972 10,065 66.74% 5,016 33.26% 0 0.00%
1968 6,738 46.08% 6,334 43.32% 1,549 10.59%
1964 5,409 37.57% 8,987 62.43% 0 0.00%
1960 9,066 56.44% 6,997 43.56% 0 0.00%
1956 8,766 55.30% 7,086 44.70% 0 0.00%
1952 9,261 55.67% 7,363 44.26% 12 0.07%
1948 6,657 44.18% 8,388 55.66% 24 0.16%
1944 7,696 51.67% 7,176 48.18% 22 0.15%
1940 8,905 50.91% 8,570 48.99% 17 0.10%
1936 7,435 44.20% 9,265 55.08% 121 0.72%
1932 5,982 38.48% 9,474 60.95% 89 0.57%
1928 10,346 64.91% 5,554 34.85% 39 0.24%
1924 2,656 55.67% 1,826 38.27% 289 6.06%
1920 8,595 55.98% 6,561 42.73% 199 1.30%
1916 4,319 46.42% 4,665 50.13% 321 3.45%
1912 2,423 30.28% 3,771 47.12% 1,809 22.60%
1908 3,983 49.39% 3,791 47.01% 290 3.60%
1904 3,820 51.38% 3,346 45.00% 269 3.62%
1900 3,824 48.88% 3,820 48.82% 180 2.30%
1896 4,119 48.65% 4,267 50.40% 81 0.96%
1892 3,610 48.02% 3,680 48.95% 228 3.03%
1888 3,393 48.90% 3,369 48.56% 176 2.54%

Communities edit

Cities and Towns edit

Unincorporated Communities edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Pettis County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  4. ^ "Pettis" . The American Cyclopædia. 1879.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 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 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pettis County, Missouri".
  12. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Boonslick Regional Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  13. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Sedalia Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

External links edit

38°44′N 93°17′W / 38.73°N 93.28°W / 38.73; -93.28