Named for Benjamin Howard Largest city Fayette Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Area 1,219 km² | Seat Fayette Congressional district 4th Founded 1816 Population 10,257 (2013) | |
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Cities Fayette, New Franklin, Franklin, Armstrong University Central Methodist University Rivers Missouri River, Moniteau Creek, Doxies Creek, Bear Creek Points of interest Boonslick State Park, Stump Island Recreatio, Bushwhacker Bend Winery, Diana Bend Conserva, Rudolf Bennitt State Wil | ||
Howard County is a county in the U.S. state of Missouri, with its southern border made by the Missouri River. As of the 2010 census, the population was 10,144. Its county seat is Fayette. The county was organized January 23, 1816 and named for Benjamin Howard, the first Governor of the Missouri Territory.
Contents
- Map of Howard County MO USA
- History
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- Major highways
- National protected area
- Demographics
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Post secondary
- Local
- State
- Federal
- Missouri Presidential Preference Primary 2008
- Notable people
- References
Map of Howard County, MO, USA
History
Located on the north bank of the Missouri River, Howard County was settled primarily from the Upper Southern states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. They brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them, and cultivated hemp and tobacco. Howard was one of several counties settled mainly by Southerners along the Missouri River in the center of the state. Because of this, this area became known as Little Dixie, and Howard County was at its heart. Following the 1848 revolutions in the German nations, many German immigrants also came to this region.
Because of the reliance on slave labor, by 1860 African American slaves composed at least 25 percent of the county's population. Many Howard County residents supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. After the end of Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws and segregation were enforced in the county. Five African Americans were lynched in Howard between 1891 and 1914: Olli Truxton, Frank Embree, Thomas Hayden, Arthur McNeal, and Dallas Shields.
The county continued to be developed for agriculture and is still largely rural. However, Howard has lost population since reaching its peak in 1900. The mechanization of farming reduced the demand for labor, and many left for jobs in the cities. In 2000 African-Americans in the county had declined to less than 7 percent of the total. Nearly one-third of the residents now identify themselves as of German ancestry.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 472 square miles (1,220 km2), of which 464 square miles (1,200 km2) is land and 7.7 square miles (20 km2) (1.6%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Major highways
National protected area
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,212 people, 3,836 households, and 2,631 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km²). There were 4,346 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.13% White, 6.84% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Approximately 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.4% were of German, 16.1% American, 8.9% English and 8.3% Irish ancestry.
There were 3,836 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.00% under the age of 18, 13.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,614, and the median income for a family was $40,167. Males had a median income of $26,369 versus $19,950 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,198. About 7.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.70% of those under age 18 and 14.40% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
Private schools
Post-secondary
Local
The Democratic Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Howard County. Democrats hold all but two of the elected positions in the county.
State
All of Howard County is a part of Missouri’s 9th District and is represented by Paul Quinn (D-Monroe City) in the Missouri House of Representatives.
All of Howard 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 Howard 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.