Douglas County, Missouri

Douglas County, Missouri
Location in the state of Missouri
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded	October 29, 1857
Named for	U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas (D-Illinois)
Seat	Ava
Largest city	Ava
Area
• Total	814.60 sq mi (2,110 km2)
• Land	814.53 sq mi (2,110 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0 km2), 0.01
Population
• (2010)	13,684
• Density	16/sq mi (6/km²)
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5

Douglas County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,684.^[1] The county seat is Ava^[2], which is the only incorporated city in Douglas County. The county was officially organized on October 29, 1857, and is named after U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas^[3] (D-Illinois) and later Democratic presidential candidate.

History

Previously, the county seat was located at Arno, Missouri, west of Ava. Prior to that, Vera Cruz (formerly called Red Bud) was the county seat. Vera Cruz is located on Bryant Creek, which flows through the middle of the county. The Civil War Battle of Clark's Mill took place near Vera Cruz on November 7, 1862 and resulted in a Confederate victory.^[4] After the American Civil War, during a period of general chaos, a group from the western part of the county broke into the Arno courthouse and removed the records back to Vera Cruz. Later in 1871, a new town site was selected, present-day Ava, near the location of the former U.S. Civil War military Post Office, Militia Spring. The location of this new town seemed to satisfy most of the residents of Douglas County to be their point of county government.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 814.60 square miles (2,109.8 km²), of which 814.53 square miles (2,109.6 km²) (or 99.99%) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²) (or 0.01%) is water.^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Webster County (northwest)
• Wright County (north)
• Texas County (northeast)
• Howell County (east)
• Ozark County (south)
• Taney County (southwest)
• Christian County (west)

List Of Highways

State Highways

• Route 5
• Route 14
• Route 76
• Route 95
• Route 181

Missouri Supplemental Routes

National protected area

• Mark Twain National Forest (part)

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Douglas County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Douglas County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (22.95%), Church of the Nazarene (16.28%), and Mormons (13.70%).

Established in 1950, a Trappist monastery, Assumption Abbey, can be found nestled on 3,000 acres in the Ozark hills. An associated Friary, Our Lady of the Angels, is located nearby. Both facilities have overnight rooms available to be utilized by the public for a small fee in order to find a place of solace and quiet reflection.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	2,414		—
1870	3,915		62.2%
1880	7,753		98.0%
1890	14,111		82.0%
1900	16,802		19.1%
1910	16,664		−0.8%
1920	15,436		−7.4%
1930	13,959		−9.6%
1940	15,600		11.8%
1950	12,638		−19.0%
1960	9,653		−23.6%
1970	9,268		−4.0%
1980	11,594		25.1%
1990	11,876		2.4%
2000	13,084		10.2%
2010	13,684		4.6%
Est. 2012	13,585		−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 2012 Estimate[1]

As of the census^[7] of 2000, there were 13,084 people, 5,201 households, and 3,671 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 5,919 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.86% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Approximately 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Douglas County are 31.3% American, 13.2% English, 12.3% German, and 9.7% Irish, according to Census 2000.

There were 5,201 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,335, and the median income for a family was $36,648. Males had a median income of $22,706 versus $17,060 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,710. About 12.90% of families and 17.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.80% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

The county has only one incorporated town: Ava, the county seat. Also, a number of current and historic communities are present:^[8][9]

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in Douglas County, 69.7% possess a high school diploma or higher while 9.9% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public Schools

• Ava R-I School District - Ava
  • Ava Elementary School (PK-04)
  • Ava Middle School (05-08)
  • Ava High School (09-12)
• Plainview R8 School District - Goodhope, Missouri
  • Plainview Elementary School (K-08) - West of Ava
• Skyline R2 School District - Norwood, Missouri
  • Skyline Elementary (K-08)

Private Schools

• Ava Victory Academy - Ava - (PK-06) - Non-denominational Christian
• Mt. Zion Bible Academy - Ava - (PK-12) - Church of God

Politics

Local

The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Douglas County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.

Douglas County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Alicia Miller-Degase			Republican
Circuit Clerk	Kim Hathcock			Republican
County Clerk	Karry Davis			Republican
Collector	Laura Stillings			Republican
Commissioner (Presiding)	Larry Pueppke			Republican
Commissioner (District 1)	Richard Mitchell			Republican
Commissioner (District 2)	Danny Dry			Republican
Coroner	Rick Miller			Republican
Prosecuting Attorney	Roger Wall			Republican
Public Administrator	Linda Coonts			Republican
Recorder	Tina Boyd			Republican
Sheriff	Chris Degase			Republican
Surveyor	Ray Riggs			Republican
Treasurer	Theresa Miller			Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2012	59.43% 3,869	36.97% 2,407	3.59% 234
2008	45.27% 3,014	48.95% 3,259	5.78% 385
2004	70.08% 4,412	28.40% 1,788	1.52% 96
2000	63.53% 3,317	34.73% 1,813	1.74% 91
1996	61.03% 3,145	36.06% 1,858	2.91% 150
1992	57.14% 3,203	42.86% 2,403	0.00% 0
1988	74.63% 3,671	24.90% 1,225	0.47% 23
1984	75.00% 3,846	25.00% 1,282	0.00% 0
1980	60.76% 3,151	38.78% 2,011	0.46% 24
1976	63.51% 2,924	36.21% 1,667	0.28% 13
1972	67.00% 3,350	32.90% 1,645	0.10% 5
1968	59.75% 2,420	40.25% 1,630	0.00% 0
1964	58.64% 2,217	41.16% 1,551	0.00% 0
1960	73.68% 3,242	26.32% 1,158	0.00% 0

In the Missouri House of Representatives, all of Douglas County is a part of Missouri’s 155th District and is currently represented by Lyle Rowland, a Republican from Cedar Creek. Rowland was reelected to a second term in 2012 in the newly redrawn district.

In the Missouri Senate, all of Douglas County is a part of Missouri’s 33rd District and is currently represented by Republican Dan W. Brown of Caulfield. Cunningham ran unopposed in 2012 and was elected to his first term in the Missouri Senate to succeed fellow Republican Chuck Purgason of Caulfield. Purgason successfully served two terms/eight years in the Missouri Senate and was ineligible to seek a third term due to term limits.

Federal

Missouri's two U.S. Senators are Democrat Claire McCaskill of Kirkwood and Republican Roy Blunt of Strafford.

McCaskill was reelected to her second term in 2012 with 54.81 percent of the statewide vote over former Republican U.S. Representative W. Todd Akin of Town & Country and Libertarian Jonathan Dine of Riverside; Douglas County voters, however, supported Akin with just over 55 and a half percent of the vote.

U.S. Senate - Class I – Douglas County (2012)
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	W. Todd Akin	3,498	53.55
	Democratic	Claire McCaskill	2,486	38.06
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	548	8.39

Blunt was elected to his first term in 2010 with 54.23 percent of the statewide vote over former Democratic Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, Libertarian Jonathan Dine of Riverside, and Constitutionalist Jerry Beck of Novelty; Douglas County voters backed Blunt with just under 67 and a half percent of the vote.

U.S. Senate - Class III – Douglas County (2010)
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Roy Blunt	3,522	67.41
	Democratic	Robin Carnahan	1,199	22.95
	Constitution	Jerry Beck	263	5.03
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	241	4.61

All of Douglas County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Republican Jason T. Smith of Salem in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to complete the remaining term of former Republican U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau. Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.

U.S. House of Representatives - District 8 – Douglas County (2012)
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jo Ann Emerson	4,942	77.42	+11.12
	Democratic	Jack Rushin	1,116	17.48	-8.72
	Libertarian	Rick Vandeven	325	5.09	+1.52

U.S. House of Representatives - District 8 - Special Election – Douglas County (2013)
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason T. Smith	1,011	75.22
	Democratic	Steve Hodges	245	18.23
	Constitution	Doug Enyart	66	4.91
	Libertarian	Bill Slantz	22	1.64

Political Culture

Past Presidential Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2012	70.90% 4,649	26.08% 1,710	3.02% 198
2008	65.63% 4,405	31.88% 2,140	2.49% 167
2004	71.09% 4,498	27.52% 1,741	1.39% 88
2000	68.15% 3,599	29.27% 1,546	2.58% 136
1996	50.17% 2,601	33.64% 1,744	16.18% 839
1992	44.35% 2,569	36.71% 2,126	18.66% 1,081
1988	64.85% 3,225	34.89% 1,735	0.26% 13
1984	70.44% 3,662	29.56% 1,536	0.00% 0
1980	65.50% 3,440	31.93% 1,677	2.57% 135
1976	56.82% 2,652	42.45% 1,981	0.73% 34
1972	75.73% 3,773	24.27% 1,209	0.00% 0
1968	67.11% 2,836	23.14% 978	9.75% 412
1964	58.87% 2,280	41.13% 1,593	0.00% 0
1960	78.08% 3,611	21.92% 1,014	0.00% 0

Douglas County is, like most other counties located in the GOP bastion of Southwest Missouri, a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Douglas County in over 50 years. While statewide elections tend to be closer throughout the state, this is not the case in Douglas County, as no Democratic gubernatorial nominee had won the county in over 50 years until Governor Jay Nixon's narrow pluralistic win in 2008. Furthermore, with all local elected offices being held by Republicans, voters have kept the traditionally Republican dominance alive in Douglas County.

Like most rural areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Douglas County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Douglas County with 85.78 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Douglas County with 59.36 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Douglas County’s longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Douglas County with 71.97 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

Missouri Presidential Preference Primary (2008)

In the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary, voters in Douglas County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.

• Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 1,343, than any candidate from either party in Douglas County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Primaries. He also received 16 more votes than the total number of votes cast in the entire Democratic Primary in Douglas County.

Douglas County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain	516 (21.15%)
Mike Huckabee	1,343 (55.04%)
Mitt Romney	270 (11.07%)
Ron Paul	290 (12.09%)

Douglas County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Rodham Clinton	827 (62.32%)
Barack Obama	454 (34.21%)
John Edwards (withdrawn)	39 (2.94%)

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Missouri

References

Further reading

• Searching for Booger County - Ozark Folk Histories, Sandy Ray Chapin, Boogeyman Books (2002) ISBN 978-0-9668075-3-0
• Baldknobbers - Vigilantes on the Ozarks Frontier, Mary Hartman and Elmo Ingenthron, Pelican Publishing (1988) ISBN 978-0-88289-683-0

External links

• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Douglas County from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
• http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29067.html

Coordinates: 36°56′N 92°30′W / 36.93°N 92.50°W / 36.93; -92.50

	Webster County	Wright County	Texas County
	Christian County		Howell County
	Douglas County, Missouri
	Taney County	Ozark County	Howell County

v t e Municipalities and communities of Douglas County, Missouri, United States County seat: Ava City Ava Townships Benton Boone Brown Brush Creek Bryan Buchanan Campbell Cass Champion Clay Clinton Findley Jackson Lincoln McKinley McMurtrey Miller Richland Spencer Spring Creek Walls Washington Wood Unincorporated communities Brushyknob Drury Gentryville Smallett Squires Vanzant

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