Named for Chariton River Congressional district 6th Area 1,986 km² Population 7,628 (2013) Unemployment rate 4.7% (Apr 2015) | Seat Keytesville Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Founded 1820 Largest city Salisbury | |
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Cities Keytesville, Brunswick, Salisbury, Mendon, Rothville, Triplett, Sumner, Dalton Rivers Missouri River, Chariton River, Grand River, Locust Creek | ||
Chariton County is a county located in the North Central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,831. Its county seat is Keytesville. The county was organized November 16, 1820, from part of Howard County and is named for the Chariton River.
Contents
- Map of Chariton County MO USA
- History
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- Major highways
- National protected area
- Demographics
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Local
- State
- Federal
- Missouri Presidential Preference Primary 2008
- Notable residents
- References
Map of Chariton County, MO, USA
History
Chariton County was settled primarily from the states of the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Tennessee. They brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them, and they quickly started cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco. Chariton was one of several counties settled mostly by southerners to the north and south of the Missouri River. Given their culture and traditions, this area became known as Little Dixie and Chariton County was at its heart. It was heavily pro-Confederate during the American Civil War.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 767 square miles (1,990 km2), of which 751 square miles (1,950 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (2.0%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Major highways
National protected area
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,438 people, 3,469 households, and 2,345 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 4,250 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.99% White, 3.19% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Approximately 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.8% were of German, 25.5% American, 9.7% English and 7.8% Irish ancestry.
There were 3,469 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.70% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 22.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,285, and the median income for a family was $39,176. Males had a median income of $25,263 versus $19,068 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,515. About 8.80% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 14.00% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
Private schools
Local
The Democratic Party completely controls politics at the local level in Chariton County. Democrats hold all of the elected positions in the county.
State
Chariton County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives with split representation.
All of Chariton County is a part of Missouri’s 21st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Bill Stouffer (R-Napton).
Federal
All of Chariton 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.