Jackson County, Missouri
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jackson County, Missouri | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Missouri |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | December 15, 1826 |
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| Seat | Independence |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,596 km² (616 mi²) 1,567 km² (605 mi²) 30 km² (12 mi²), 1.88% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
654,880 418/km² |
| Website: www.co.jackson.mo.us | |
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 654,880. The 2005 Census estimates put the population of Jackson County at 662,959. It is the second most populous county in Missouri after St. Louis County, owing mostly to the presence of Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Although Kansas City is by far the county's largest city, the county seat is located in nearby Independence6.
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[edit] History
Jackson County was organized on December 15, 1826 and named for Andrew Jackson, U.S. Senator (and later President) from Tennessee.
In 1838, a small piece of land was bought along the Missouri River in northern Jackson County by the "Town Company," which established "Westport Landing" (today Westport). The area outside of Westport Landing was renamed the "Town of Kansas," after the local Kanza Indians, in 1839. The town was incorporated by the State of Missouri as the "City of Kansas" in 1853. In 1889, with a population of around 60,000, the city adopted a new charter and changed its name to Kansas City. In 1897, Kansas City annexed Westport.
The county features prominently in the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith, Jr. taught that the Garden of Eden was located in what is now Jackson County
During the Civil War, most of the county (except the portion known then as "Kaw Township" - today the heart of Kansas City) was burned to the ground General Order No. 11 (1863).
[edit] Law and government
Jackson County was the second county to adopt a home-rule charter under the Missouri constitution. The Jackson County Charter was adopted by the voters in 1970 and was amended in 1985 and 1986.
Executive power of the county is vested in the county executive, which is a full-time salaried position. The current county executive is Katheryn J. Shields. The county executive is elected by the general population of the county for a four year term.
Ordinances are passed by a county legislature. The legislature is made up of nine members, six elected from smaller districts within the county and three elected "at large" from larger districts by voters of the whole county. Member terms are 4 years, beginning on January 1 following the election.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,596 km² (616 mi²). 1,567 km² (605 mi²) of it is land and 30 km² (12 mi²) of it (1.88%) is water.
The Missouri River comprises Jackson County's northern border. The county has historically been a major traveling point for American river travel.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Clay County (north)
- Ray County (north-east)
- Lafayette County (east)
- Johnson County (south-east)
- Cass County (south)
- Johnson County, Kansas (south-west)
- Wyandotte County, Kansas (north-west)
[edit] Major highways
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 654,880 people, 266,294 households, and 166,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 418/km² (1,083/mi²). There were 288,231 housing units at an average density of 184/km² (476/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.10% White, 23.27% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.43% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 5.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 266,294 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.40% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.60% were non-families. 31.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,277, and the median income for a family was $48,435. Males had a median income of $35,798 versus $27,403 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,788. About 9.00% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] External links
| Metropolitan area of Kansas City |  |
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| Central City: Kansas City, Missouri Largest cities (over 100,000 in 2000): Independence • Kansas City, Kansas • Olathe • Overland Park Medium-sized cities (10,000 to 100,000 in 2000): Blue Springs • Belton • Excelsior Springs • Gladstone • Grandview • Lansing • Leawood • Leavenworth • Lee's Summit • Lenexa • Liberty •Merriam •Ottawa • Prairie Village • Raymore • Raytown • Shawnee Counties: Jackson • Clay • Cass • Platte • Lafayette • Ray • Clinton • Bates • Caldwell • Johnson • Wyandotte • Leavenworth • Miami • Franklin • Linn |
