Marion County is a county located in the northeastern portion of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,525.[1] Its county seat is Palmyra.[2] Unique from most third-class counties in the state, Marion has two county courthouses, the second located in Hannibal.[3] The county was organized on December 23, 1826[4][5] and named for General Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," who was from South Carolina and served in the American Revolutionary War.[6] The area was known as the "Two Rivers Country" before organization. Marion County is part of the Hannibal, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Quincy-Hannibal, IL-MO Combined Statistical Area.
Marion County | |
|---|---|
 Marion County courthouse in Palmyra | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
 Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 39°49′N 91°37′W / 39.81°N 91.62°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | December 23, 1826 |
| Named for | Francis Marion |
| Seat | Palmyra |
| Largest city | Hannibal |
| Area | |
• Total | 444 sq mi (1,150 km2) |
| • Land | 437 sq mi (1,130 km2) |
| • Water | 7.4 sq mi (19 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 28,525  |
| • Density | 64/sq mi (25/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | http://marioncountymo.com/ |
Geography
editAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 437 square miles (1,130 km2) is land, and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.7%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties
edit- Lewis County (north)
- Adams County, Illinois (northeast)
- Pike County, Illinois (southeast)
- Ralls County (south)
- Monroe County (southwest)
- Shelby County (west)
Major Roadways
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Transit
editRailroads
editHistory
editMarion County was created by the state legislature in 1845 from parts of Ralls and Shelby Counties. It was settled from Virginia and Kentucky by farmers looking for cheap farmland; some owned slaves. It was named after Francis Marion, a general in the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Palmyra, which was established in 1833 and became a locally important river port on the Mississippi. By the late 1800s, the county was the center of a thriving agricultural community. Tobacco was the main crop, though cotton, wheat, barley, oats, and hay were also grown. Livestock included horses, mules, and cattle.[8]
The best known native son is Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) born in 1835, in the village of Florida. His youthful experiences in Hannibal became the setting for the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.[9] Other prominent locals included Governor John S. Phelps, and Confederate General A.P. Morehead. The region was bitterly divided in the Civil War but Unionist elements prevailed. Palmyra was the site of a skirmish in 1862, and the county was the site of several other battles and raids. Today, Marion County continues to be primarily an agricultural county. It is home to a number of historic sites and buildings, with a major tourist industry focused on Mark Twain characters and settings.[10]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 4,837 | — | |
| 1840 | 9,623 | 98.9% | |
| 1850 | 12,230 | 27.1% | |
| 1860 | 18,838 | 54.0% | |
| 1870 | 23,780 | 26.2% | |
| 1880 | 24,837 | 4.4% | |
| 1890 | 26,233 | 5.6% | |
| 1900 | 26,331 | 0.4% | |
| 1910 | 30,572 | 16.1% | |
| 1920 | 30,226 | −1.1% | |
| 1930 | 33,493 | 10.8% | |
| 1940 | 31,576 | −5.7% | |
| 1950 | 29,765 | −5.7% | |
| 1960 | 29,522 | −0.8% | |
| 1970 | 28,121 | −4.7% | |
| 1980 | 28,638 | 1.8% | |
| 1990 | 27,682 | −3.3% | |
| 2000 | 28,289 | 2.2% | |
| 2010 | 28,781 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 28,525 | −0.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010[15] | |||
As of the census[16] of 2010, there were 28,781 people, 11,066 households, and 7,524 families residing in the county. The population density was 65 inhabitants per square mile (25/km2). There were 12,443 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.26% White, 4.62% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Approximately 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.5% were German, 25.6% American, 11.0% Irish, and 10.3% English ancestry.
There were 11,066 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,774, and the median income for a family was $41,290. Males had a median income of $30,935 versus $20,591 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,964. About 9.30% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.
2020 Census
edit| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 24,930 | 87.4% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,363 | 4.8% |
| Native American (NH) | 67 | 0.23% |
| Asian (NH) | 165 | 0.58% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 16 | 0.05% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,468 | 5.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 516 | 1.8% |
Education
editPublic schools
edit- Hannibal Public School District No. 60 – Hannibal
- Veterans Elementary School (K-05)
- A.D. Stowell Elementary School (K-05)
- Mark Twain Elementary School (K-05)
- Oakwood Elementary School (K-05)
- Eugene Field Elementary School (K-05)
- Early Childhood Center (PK)
- Hannibal Middle School (06-08)
- Hannibal High School (09-12)
- Palmyra R-I School District – Palmyra
- Palmyra Elementary School (K-04)
- Palmyra Middle School (05-08)
- Palmyra High School (09-12)
- Marion County R-II School District – Philadelphia
- Marion County Elementary School (K-06)
- Marion County High School (07-12)
Private schools
edit- Holy Family Catholic School – Hannibal (K-09) – Roman Catholic
- St. John’s Lutheran School – Hannibal (K-06) – Lutheran
- Mission Hill Christian Academy - Palmyra, Missouri (K-12)
Post-secondary
edit- Hannibal–LaGrange University – Hannibal – A private, four-year Southern Baptist university.
Public libraries
editHannibal Free Public Library[18]
- Palmyra Bicentennial Public Library[19]
Communities
editCities and towns
edit- Hannibal
- Monroe City (mostly in Monroe County and a small part in Ralls County)
- Palmyra (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
editFormer communities
editPolitics
edit| Marion County, Missouri | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Elected countywide officials | |||
| Assessor | Mark Novak | Democratic | |
| Circuit Clerk | Cheryl Damron (Division I) / Chris Tate (Division II) | Republican | |
| County Clerk | Marla Meyers | Republican | |
| Commissioner (Presiding) | David Lomax | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 1) | Steve Begley | Republican | |
| Commissioner (District 2) | Larry Welch | Republican | |
| Coroner | Rick Jones | Republican | |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Luke A Bryant | Republican | |
| Public Administrator | Wendy Howe | Democratic | |
| Recorder | Harla Friez | Democratic | |
| Sheriff | Jimmy Shinn | Republican | |
| Surveyor | John D. Janes | Independent | |
| Treasurer | Joelle Fohey | Democratic | |
State
edit| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75.91% 10,082 | 22.70% 3,015 | 1.39% 185 |
| 2016 | 65.84% 8,484 | 31.86% 4,105 | 2.30% 297 |
| 2012 | 53.03% 6,380 | 44.83% 5,394 | 2.14% 257 |
| 2008 | 58.82% 7,341 | 39.77% 4,964 | 1.41% 176 |
| 2004 | 67.03% 8,292 | 31.77% 3,930 | 1.20% 148 |
| 2000 | 50.05% 5,832 | 48.88% 5,696 | 1.07% 125 |
| 1996 | 31.55% 3,388 | 66.68% 7,161 | 1.78% 191 |
Marion County is in Missouri's 5th district in the Missouri House of Representatives, represented by Lindell F. Shumake (R-Hannibal).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 9,532 | 74.88% | +0.24 | |
| Democratic | O.C. Latta | 3,197 | 25.12% | −0.24 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 5,089 | 74.64% | +12.30 | |
| Democratic | C. Leroy Deichman | 1,729 | 25.36% | −12.30 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 7,445 | 62.34% | ||
| Democratic | Tom Shively | 4,497 | 37.66% | ||
All of Marion County is a part of Missouri's 18th District in the Missouri Senate; it is represented by Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown).
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brian Munzlinger | 5,630 | 100.00% | ||
Federal
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 8,239 | 64.11% | +11.46 | |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 4,115 | 32.02% | −11.77 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 277 | 2.16% | −1.40 | |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 128 | 1.00% | +1.00 | |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 93 | 0.72% | +0.72 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Todd Akin | 6,350 | 52.65% | ||
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 5,281 | 43.79% | ||
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 429 | 3.56% | ||
Marion County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 9,405 | 74.46% | +0.30 | |
| Democratic | David M. Blackwell | 2,915 | 23.08% | −0.76 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 193 | 1.53% | −0.47 | |
| Green | Mike Diel | 118 | 0.93% | +0.93 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 5,008 | 74.16% | +9.76 | |
| Democratic | Bill Hedge | 1,610 | 23.84% | −9.88 | |
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 135 | 2.00% | +0.12 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 7,462 | 64.40% | ||
| Democratic | Kyle Yarber | 3,907 | 33.72% | ||
| Libertarian | Russ Lee Monchil | 218 | 1.88% | ||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 9,915 | 74.13% | 3,202 | 23.94% | 259 | 1.94% |
| 2016 | 9,419 | 72.80% | 2,994 | 23.14% | 525 | 4.06% |
| 2012 | 7,923 | 65.17% | 4,031 | 33.16% | 204 | 1.68% |
| 2008 | 7,705 | 61.38% | 4,703 | 37.47% | 145 | 1.16% |
| 2004 | 7,815 | 62.76% | 4,568 | 36.68% | 70 | 0.56% |
| 2000 | 6,550 | 55.93% | 4,993 | 42.63% | 169 | 1.44% |
| 1996 | 4,653 | 43.40% | 4,924 | 45.93% | 1,144 | 10.67% |
| 1992 | 4,762 | 40.41% | 5,156 | 43.76% | 1,865 | 15.83% |
| 1988 | 5,034 | 47.16% | 5,617 | 52.62% | 23 | 0.22% |
| 1984 | 6,831 | 59.42% | 4,666 | 40.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 6,036 | 49.53% | 5,890 | 48.33% | 260 | 2.13% |
| 1976 | 5,501 | 47.17% | 6,124 | 52.51% | 38 | 0.33% |
| 1972 | 7,197 | 63.31% | 4,171 | 36.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,732 | 41.62% | 5,416 | 47.64% | 1,221 | 10.74% |
| 1964 | 3,605 | 30.25% | 8,314 | 69.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 6,431 | 48.76% | 6,758 | 51.24% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 5,657 | 45.14% | 6,874 | 54.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 6,162 | 42.10% | 8,457 | 57.78% | 18 | 0.12% |
| 1948 | 3,802 | 29.37% | 9,122 | 70.47% | 20 | 0.15% |
| 1944 | 4,560 | 34.68% | 8,575 | 65.21% | 14 | 0.11% |
| 1940 | 5,892 | 37.62% | 9,723 | 62.09% | 45 | 0.29% |
| 1936 | 4,628 | 29.39% | 11,068 | 70.29% | 51 | 0.32% |
| 1932 | 4,123 | 28.40% | 10,293 | 70.89% | 103 | 0.71% |
| 1928 | 7,664 | 57.34% | 5,679 | 42.49% | 24 | 0.18% |
| 1924 | 5,408 | 43.98% | 5,739 | 46.67% | 1,150 | 9.35% |
| 1920 | 4,660 | 40.36% | 6,719 | 58.20% | 166 | 1.44% |
| 1916 | 2,759 | 37.28% | 4,534 | 61.26% | 108 | 1.46% |
| 1912 | 1,693 | 28.65% | 3,471 | 58.74% | 745 | 12.61% |
| 1908 | 2,554 | 37.71% | 3,982 | 58.80% | 236 | 3.48% |
| 1904 | 2,433 | 42.22% | 3,127 | 54.27% | 202 | 3.51% |
| 1900 | 2,490 | 38.16% | 3,927 | 60.17% | 109 | 1.67% |
| 1896 | 2,699 | 39.93% | 4,008 | 59.30% | 52 | 0.77% |
| 1892 | 2,154 | 36.47% | 3,634 | 61.52% | 119 | 2.01% |
| 1888 | 2,294 | 39.02% | 3,365 | 57.24% | 220 | 3.74% |
Historically a Democratic county in the 20th century, with the exception of Republican landslides in 1972 and 1984, Marion County has been reliably Republican since 2000. The last Democrat to receive 40% or more of the vote was Al Gore that same year.
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
editFormer U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,587, than any candidate from either party in Marion County during the 2008 presidential primary.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Marion County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Marion County, Missouri". 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ "Marion County Collection Descriptions". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ "A Short History of Marion County". MOGenWeb. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 193.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ^ Thomas C. Hines, The History of Marion County, Missouri: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People and Its Principal Interests (1912).
- ^ Paul A. Shackel, "America’s home town: fiction, Mark Twain, and the re‐creation of Hannibal, Missouri." International Journal of Heritage Studies 17.3 (2011): 197-213. online
- ^ Robert L. Allen and F. Charles Petrillo, eds., History of Marion County, Missouri (1999).
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 16, 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 16, 2014.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Marion County, Missouri".
- ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Hannibal Free Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Palmyra Bicentennial Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
Further reading
edit- History of Marion County, Missouri: written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources (1884) full text
External links
edit
Media related to Marion County, Missouri at Wikimedia Commons- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Marion County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
