Area 1,588 km² Population 38,185 (2013) | Founded 1843 Unemployment rate 5.5% (Apr 2015) | |
Cities Mount Vernon, Aurora, Marionville, Pierce City, Verona, Miller, Stotts City, Freistatt, Halltown, Hoberg Rivers Clear Creek, Hutchison Branch, Center Creek, Deer Creek | ||
Lawrence County is a county located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 38,634. Its county seat is Mount Vernon. The county was organized in 1845 and named for James Lawrence, a naval officer from the War of 1812 known for his battle cry, "Don't give up the ship!"
Contents
- Map of Lawrence County MO USA
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- Major highways
- National protected area
- Demographics
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Local
- State
- Federal
- Missouri Presidential Preference Primary 2008
- Villages
- Census designated place
- References
Map of Lawrence County, MO, USA
A previous Lawrence County, established in 1815 with its county seat at what is now Davidsonville Historic State Park in Arkansas, covered much of what is now southern Missouri and the northern third of Arkansas; it became Lawrence County, Arkansas when Arkansas Territory was created from Missouri Territory in 1819. Just before that, in 1818, Missouri divided its part of the old Lawrence County into Wayne County and Madison County; those were later divided into others, including the present Lawrence County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 613 square miles (1,590 km2), of which 612 square miles (1,590 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Major highways
National protected area
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,204 people, 13,568 households, and 9,728 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 14,789 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.68% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Approximately 3.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,568 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.20% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,239, and the median income for a family was $36,846. Males had a median income of $27,309 versus $18,990 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,399. About 11.00% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools
Private schools
Local
The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Lawrence County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.
State
Lawrence County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.
All of Lawrence County is a part of Missouri’s 29th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Jack Goodman (R-Mount Vernon.
Federal
All of Lawrence County is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R-Springfield) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Missouri Presidential Preference Primary (2008)
Voters in Lawrence County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.