St. Charles County, Missouri

"St. Charles County" redirects here. For the similarly-named Louisiana parish, see St. Charles Parish, Louisiana.
St. Charles County, Missouri

County Courthouse in St. Charles
Map of Missouri highlighting St. Charles County
Location in the state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded October 1, 1812
Named for Charles Borromeo
Seat St. Charles
Largest city O'Fallon
Area
  Total 593 sq mi (1,536 km2)
  Land 560 sq mi (1,450 km2)
  Water 32 sq mi (83 km2), 5.4%
Population (est.)
  (2014) 379,493
  Density 667/sq mi (257.51/km²)
Congressional districts 2nd, 3rd
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.sccmo.org

St. Charles County is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 360,485,[1] making it the third-most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is St. Charles.[2] The county was organized October 1, 1812 and named for Saint Charles Borromeo, an Italian cardinal.

St. Charles County is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area and contains many of the city's northern suburbs.

The wealthiest county in Missouri,[3] St. Charles County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. The county is also recognized as very conservative, ranking in the top 100 nationally, and many residents support a gun culture.[4]

St. Charles County includes an area of vineyards and wineries whose distinction has been nationally recognized. On its rural outer edge along the south-facing bluffs above the Missouri River is an area of numerous wineries, so that Missouri Route 94 is sometimes called the Missouri Weinstrasse. The area includes the Augusta AVA, designated in 1980 as the first American Viticultural Area by the federal government.

History

The County of St. Charles was originally called the District of St. Charles and had no definite limits until 1816 to 1818 when neighboring counties were formed.[5] The borders of St. Charles are the same today as they were in 1818.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 593 square miles (1,540 km2), of which 560 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 32 square miles (83 km2) (5.4%) is water.[6]

St. Charles County is the only known habitat of the decurrent false aster in Missouri.
St. Charles County is the only known habitat of the decurrent false aster (Boltonia decurrens) in Missouri. Listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and as Endangered by the Missouri Department of Conservation, it is declining due to loss of wetlands habitat.[7]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
18103,505
18203,97013.3%
18304,3208.8%
18407,91183.1%
185011,45444.8%
186016,52344.3%
187021,30428.9%
188023,0658.3%
189022,977−0.4%
190024,4746.5%
191024,6950.9%
192022,828−7.6%
193024,3546.7%
194025,5625.0%
195029,83416.7%
196052,97077.5%
197092,95475.5%
1980144,10755.0%
1990212,90747.7%
2000283,88333.3%
2010360,48527.0%
Est. 2014379,493[8]5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2013[1]

As of 2010, there were 360,485 people, 132,906 households, and 77,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 643 people per square mile (1665/km²). There were 142,766 housing units at an average density of 73 persons/km² (188 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 91.3% White, 4.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 101,663 households out of which 40.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.20% were married couples living together, 9.20% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 24.20% were non-families. 19.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the county the population was spread out with 29.00% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $71,458, and the median income for a family was $64,415. Males had a median income of $44,528 versus $29,405 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,592. 4.00% of the population and 2.80% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.90% are under the age of 18 and 5.10% are 65 or older.

St. Charles County, with an estimated population of 373,495, has been one of the fastest-growing counties in the country for decades, with 55% growth in the 1970s, 48% in the 1980s, 33% in the 1990s, and another 27% in the 2000s. The county features a cross-section of industry, as well as extensive retail and some agriculture. With the Missouri River on the south and east and the Mississippi River on the north, the county is bisected east to west by Interstate 70. St. Charles County has two small airports, St. Charles County Smartt Airport and St. Charles Airport, and two ferries that cross the Mississippi River.

Racial composition 2010[13] 2014[14]
White 91.3% 90.7%
—Non-Hispanic 89.1% 87.9%
Black or African American 4.4% 4.7%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 2.9% 3.1%
Asian 2.3% 2.5%
Two or More Races 1.6% 1.8%

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Alternative schools

Higher education

Law and government

St. Charles County is governed by a county executive and a county council. The county council consists of seven members, each elected from various districts in the county. The county executive is elected by the entire county. The current executive is Steve Ehlmann. He was preceded by Joe Oertwerth, who was preceded by Gene Schwendemann, the first county executive of St. Charles County under the new form of government. The executive under the old form of county government was termed a "judge." The county produced 243,382 registered voters as of 2010.[15]

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in St. Charles County. Republicans hold all the elected positions in the county.[16]

Position Incumbent Party
Assessor Scott Shipman Republican
Collector Michelle McBride Republican
Council Member – District 1 Joe Cronin Republican
Council Member – District 2 Joseph Brazil Republican
Council Member – District 3 Nancy Matheny Republican
Council Member – District 4 David Hammond Republican
Council Member – District 5 Terry Hollander Republican
Council Member – District 6 Mike Klinghammer Republican
Council Member – District 7 John White Republican
County Executive Steve Ehlmann Republican
Director of Elections Rich Chrismer Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar Republican[17]
Recorder Barbara J. Hall Republican
Chief of Police Colonel David Todd Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2008 44.51% 82,440 53.84% 99,705 1.65% 3,058
2004 55.90% 91,323 42.96% 70,184 1.14% 1,865
2000 58.24% 74,357 39.49% 50,415 2.27% 2,907
1996 49.48% 47,886 48.01% 46,462 2.50% 2,424

St. Charles County is divided into nine legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.

Missouri House of Representatives – District 12 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Douglas A. Funderburk 9,800 67.38
Democratic Richard Trueba 4,744 32.62
Missouri House of Representatives – District 13 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chuck Gatschenberger 16,135 67.65
Democratic Vickie Boedeker 7,715 32.35
Missouri House of Representatives – District 14 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kathie Conway 8,886 66.18
Democratic Kyle Meadows 4,542 33.82
Missouri House of Representatives – District 15 – St. Charles County (Special Election – November 29, 2011)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chrissy Sommer 1,875 49.29
Democratic Paul Woody 1,835 48.24
Libertarian Bill Slantz 94 2.47
Missouri House of Representatives – District 16 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mark A. Parkinson 8,776 66.54
Democratic Debbie Bixler 4,414 33.46
Missouri House of Representatives – District 17 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vicki A. Schneider 8,104 55.66
Democratic Kenny Biermann 6,456 44.34
Missouri House of Representatives – District 18 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Anne Zerr 7,165 68.23
Democratic Gary McKiddy 3,337 31.77
Missouri House of Representatives – District 19 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kurt Bahr 10,474 66.89
Democratic Matt Simmons 5,185 33.11
Missouri House of Representatives – District 109 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Scott D. Dieckhaus 3,398 100.00

St. Charles County is divided into two districts in the Missouri Senate, both of which are held by Republicans.

Missouri Senate – District 2 – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Scott T. Rupp 46,610 71.82
Democratic Don Crozier 18,290 28.18
Missouri Senate – District 23 – St. Charles County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Dempsey 50,821 60.19
Democratic Larry Willis 33,613 39.81

Federal

Most of St. Charles County is included in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District and is currently represented by Ann Wagner in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 69,760 67.13
Democratic Arthur Lieber 30,773 29.61
Libertarian Steve Mosbacher 3,377 3.25

A small portion of St. Charles County is also included in Missouri’s 9th Congressional District and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 9th Congressional District – St. Charles County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 14,638 80.59
Libertarian Christopher W. Dwyer 3,523 19.41

Missouri Presidential Preference Primary (2008)

Past Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2008 54.27% 102,550 44.55% 84,183 1.18% 2,224
2004 58.61% 95,826 40.89% 66,855 0.50% 807
2000 56.04% 72,114 41.81% 53,806 2.15% 2,766
1996 46.66% 47,705 40.46% 41,369 12.88% 13,172
St. Charles County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain 14,705 (34.95%)
Mike Huckabee 9,185 (21.83%)
Mitt Romney 15,869 (37.72%)
Ron Paul 1,613 (3.83%)
St. Charles County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Clinton 23,611 (50.14%)
Barack Obama 22,356 (47.48%)
John Edwards (withdrawn) 821 (1.74%)

Communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "County-Level Unemployment and Median Household Income for Missouri". www.ers.usda.gov. USDA Economic Research Service. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  4. "America’s 100 most conservative-friendly counties". Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  5. Bryan, William S. (1993). St. Charles Co., Missouri: biographical sketches from pioneer families of Missouri by Bryan and Rose. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company. p. 1.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  7. "Decurrent False Aster". Field Guide. Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  13. "American Fact Finder". U.S. Census.
  14. "American Fact Finder". U.S. Census.
  15. "Registered Voters in Missouri 2010". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  16. "Election Results". St. Charles County, Missouri. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  17. Korando, Russell (November 23, 2012). "St. Charles County judge nominated for prosecutor". St. Charles County Suburban Journal. Retrieved December 3, 2013. Ehlmann was required to appoint someone from the same political party as Banas, a Republican, to serve until the office comes up for election in November 2014.

External links

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