Scott County, Missouri
Scott County | |
---|---|
UTC−5 (CDT) | |
Congressional district | 8th |
Website | www |
Scott County is located in the southeastern portion of the
History
This area along the Mississippi River was long occupied by indigenous peoples. In historic times, the large and powerful
Spain had taken control in 1763 after French lost to Britain in the Seven Years' War. They laid out the King's Highway (El Camino Real) in 1789, a north–south route crossing the county and extending through St. Louis, Missouri. In the late 1790s, Southerners were the first United States settlers on Spanish land grants in this area. France briefly took back the territory, then sold it to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Delaware (
The second county formed in Missouri's Southeast Lowland Region, Scott County was created by the Missouri state legislature on December 28, 1821. The county was named in honor of John Scott (1785–1861), the first congressman from Missouri.[3]
One of the earliest settlements was
The current county seat of Benton was laid out in 1822; it is named after Thomas Hart Benton, one of Missouri's first U.S. Senators.
New Hamburg, the third town founded in the county, was settled by a wave of German immigrants in the late 1840s, who came to this country after the German revolutions of 1848. The first log church was St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Sikeston, the largest city in the county and the fourth settlement to be founded, was settled in 1800 and was laid out in 1860 by John Sikes on the Cairo & Fulton Railroad.
The county was devastated by
Located near Morley is the gravesite of Nathaniel W. Watkins, a state legislator and a general in the Missouri State Guards. He was a half-brother of statesman Henry Clay. Wilson Brown, the ninth lieutenant governor of Missouri, lived in the county for a time. Noted early legislators such as Joseph Hunter II and Abraham Hunter also lived here.
Cotton, soybeans, melon and grains were all common crops in rural Scott County. Between the Mississippi River and Little River District drainage ditches lies one of the oldest drainage systems in the United States, Crowley's Ridge, established in 1905, is a remnant of an old coastal floodplain and natural levee that crosses the country.
On January 25, 1942, an African American man named Cleo Wright was lynched in Sikeston. A Scott County all-white grand jury did not return any indictments for the crime after three hours of deliberation.[4]
On January 28, 2004, the Scott County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
According to the
Adjacent counties
- Cape Girardeau County (northwest)
- Alexander County, Illinois (northeast)
- Mississippi County (southeast)
- New Madrid County (south)
- Stoddard County (southwest)
Major highways
- Interstate 55
- Interstate 57
- U.S. Route 60
- U.S. Route 61
- U.S. Route 62
- Route 77
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1830 | 2,136 | — | |
1840 | 5,974 | 179.7% | |
1850 | 3,182 | −46.7% | |
1860 | 5,247 | 64.9% | |
1870 | 7,317 | 39.5% | |
1880 | 8,587 | 17.4% | |
1890 | 11,228 | 30.8% | |
1900 | 13,092 | 16.6% | |
1910 | 22,372 | 70.9% | |
1920 | 23,409 | 4.6% | |
1930 | 24,913 | 6.4% | |
1940 | 30,377 | 21.9% | |
1950 | 32,842 | 8.1% | |
1960 | 32,748 | −0.3% | |
1970 | 33,250 | 1.5% | |
1980 | 39,647 | 19.2% | |
1990 | 39,376 | −0.7% | |
2000 | 40,422 | 2.7% | |
2010 | 39,191 | −3.0% | |
2020 | 38,059 | −2.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010-2015[10] |
As of the
There were 15,626 households, out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 13.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% 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 27.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,735, and the median income for a family was $48,847. Males had a median income of $30,169 versus $19,269 for females. The
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Scott County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Scott County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (40.54%), Roman Catholics (27.12%), and Methodists (9.28%).
2020 Census
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH)
|
30,595 | 80.4% |
Black or African American (NH)
|
4,476 | 11.8% |
Native American (NH)
|
84 | 0.22% |
Asian (NH)
|
149 | 0.4% |
Pacific Islander (NH)
|
2 | 0.05% |
Other/Mixed (NH)
|
1,818 | 4.77% |
Latino
|
935 | 2.45% |
Education
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Scott County, 72.9% possesses a
Public schools
- Chaffee R-II School District – Chaffee
- Chaffee Elementary School (K-06)
- Chaffee Jr.-Sr. High School (07-12)
- Oran R-III School District – Oran
- Oran Elementary School (K-06)
- Oran High School (07-12)
- Scott County R-IV School District – Benton
- Scott County Elementary School (K-05)
- Scott County Middle School (06-08)
- Thomas W. Kelly High School (09-12)
- Scott City R-I School District – Scott City
- Scott City Elementary School (K-04)
- Scott City Middle School (05-08)
- Scott City High School (09-12)
- Scott County Central School District – Sikeston
- Scott County Central Elementary School (PK-06)
- Scott County Central High School (07-12)
- Sikeston R-VI School District – Sikeston
- Sikeston Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center (PK-K)
- Lee Hunter Elementary (01-04)
- Southeast Elementary (01-04)
- Wing Elementary (01-04)
- Sikeston 5th & 6th Grade Center (05-06)
- Sikeston Jr. High School (07-08)
- Sikeston Sr. High School (09-12)
- Sikeston Alternative Education Center
- Sikeston Career and Technology Center
Private schools
- St. Denis School – Roman Catholic
- St. Ambrose School – Roman Catholic
- St. Augustine School – Roman Catholic
- Guardian Angel School – Roman Catholic
- St. Joseph School – Roman Catholic
- St. Francis Xavier Christian Academy – Roman Catholic
- Southeast Missouri Christian Academy – Non-denominational Christian
- Solid Rock Christian Academy – Non-denominational Christian
Colleges and universities
- Sikeston Area Higher Education Center (SAHEC) – Sikeston – A satellite campus of Southeast Missouri State University.
- Sikeston Career & Technology Center – Sikeston – A technical school based out of the Sikeston R-VI School District.
- Three Rivers College (Missouri) | Three Rivers College – Sikeston
Public libraries
Communities
Cities
- Benton (county seat)
- Cape Girardeau (mostly in Cape Girardeau County)
- Chaffee
- Miner (small part in Mississippi County)
- Morley
- Oran
- Scott City (small part in Cape Girardeau County)
- New Madrid County)
Villages
Unincorporated communities
Former community
- Illmo
Politics
Local
The Democratic Party has historically controlled politics at the local level in Scott County. In recent years, however, Republicans have made inroads, gaining control of several county offices in 2018 and 2020. Republicans now hold most elected positions in the county, while Democrats only control the offices of County Clerk, Collector, Commissioner (district 2), Coroner, Recorder, and Surveyor.[16]
Scott County, Missouri | |||
---|---|---|---|
Elected countywide officials | |||
Assessor | Carla Essner | Republican | |
Circuit Clerk | Stacey Naile | Republican | |
County Clerk | Allen Seabaugh | Republican | |
Collector | Mark Hensley | Democratic | |
Commissioner (Presiding) | Danny Tetley | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 1) | Terry Cole | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 2) | Donnie Kiefer | Democratic | |
Coroner | Scott Branum | Republican | |
Prosecuting Attorney | Don Cobb | Republican | |
Public Administrator | Julia Crader Dolan | Republican | |
Recorder | Tara Mason | Democratic | |
Sheriff | Wes Drury | Republican | |
Surveyor | Brian Strickland | Democratic | |
Treasurer | Joe Bill Davis | Republican |
State
Scott County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives and one district in the Missouri Senate.
- District 148 - Currently represented by Jamie Burger (R-Benton)
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jamie Burger | 11,343 | 97.80 | 0 |
- District 149 - Currently represented by Don Rone Jr. (R-Portageville)
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Don Rone | 1,342 | 92.11 | 0 |
- District 151 - Currently represented by Herman Morse (R-Whitewater)
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Herman Morse | 2,628 | 98.91 | 0 |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties
|
---|---|---|---|
2020
|
76.74% 13,535 | 21.51% 3,794 | 1.75% 308 |
2016
|
65.92% 11,323 | 31.51% 5,412 | 2.48% 442 |
2012
|
49.99% 8,421 | 48.04% 8,092 | 1.98% 333 |
2008
|
53.12% 9,494 | 45.55% 8,142 | 1.33% 238 |
2004
|
58.69% 10,198 | 40.31% 7,004 | 1.00% 174 |
2000 | 52.12% 8,159 | 46.59% 7,293 | 1.29% 202 |
1996 | 38.71% 5,878 | 59.76% 9,074 | 1.53% 233 |
1992 | 47.32% 7,564 | 52.68% 8,422 | 0.00% 0 |
1988 | 56.49% 7,845 | 43.45% 6,035 | 0.06% 8 |
1984 | 59.90% 8,446 | 40.10% 5,654 | 0.00% 0 |
1980 | 49.80% 7,619 | 50.13% 7,669 | 0.07% 11 |
1976 | 41.63% 5,558 | 58.37% 7,793 | 0.01% 1 |
Federal
Scott County is included in
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason T. Smith* | 13,547 | 77.62 | ||
Democratic | Kathy Ellis | 3,671 | 21.03 | ||
Libertarian | Tom Schmitz | 227 | 1.30 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason T. Smith* | 5,305 | 69.67 | ||
Democratic | Barbara Stocker | 1,755 | 23.05 | ||
Libertarian | Rick Vandeven | 294 | 3.86 | ||
Independent
|
Terry Hampton | 145 | 1.90 | ||
Constitution | Doug Enyart | 115 | 1.51 |
Political culture
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 13,769 | 77.58% | 3,753 | 21.15% | 226 | 1.27% |
2016 | 13,168 | 75.95% | 3,575 | 20.62% | 594 | 3.43% |
2012 | 11,623 | 68.37% | 5,122 | 30.13% | 254 | 1.49% |
2008 | 11,563 | 63.95% | 6,258 | 34.61% | 261 | 1.44% |
2004 | 11,330 | 64.94% | 6,057 | 34.71% | 61 | 0.35% |
2000 | 8,999 | 57.30% | 6,452 | 41.09% | 253 | 1.61% |
1996 | 6,641 | 43.54% | 7,011 | 45.97% | 1,600 | 10.49% |
1992 | 6,265 | 37.95% | 7,452 | 45.14% | 2,790 | 16.90% |
1988 | 8,013 | 57.45% | 5,914 | 42.40% | 21 | 0.15% |
1984 | 8,727 | 61.05% | 5,569 | 38.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
1980 | 8,227 | 53.65% | 6,854 | 44.69% | 255 | 1.66% |
1976 | 5,473 | 40.31% | 8,075 | 59.48% | 28 | 0.21% |
1972 | 7,316 | 66.74% | 3,646 | 33.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 3,856 | 36.23% | 4,313 | 40.52% | 2,474 | 23.25% |
1964 | 3,212 | 29.95% | 7,512 | 70.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 5,807 | 47.77% | 6,349 | 52.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 4,654 | 41.05% | 6,683 | 58.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 4,661 | 39.45% | 7,127 | 60.33% | 26 | 0.22% |
1948 | 2,519 | 23.32% | 8,266 | 76.52% | 18 | 0.17% |
1944 | 3,995 | 35.77% | 7,132 | 63.86% | 41 | 0.37% |
1940 | 4,401 | 35.66% | 7,899 | 64.00% | 42 | 0.34% |
1936 | 3,126 | 28.57% | 7,763 | 70.95% | 52 | 0.48% |
1932 | 2,310 | 24.75% | 6,948 | 74.45% | 75 | 0.80% |
1928 | 3,779 | 42.25% | 5,159 | 57.68% | 6 | 0.07% |
1924 | 3,335 | 40.54% | 3,633 | 44.16% | 1,258 | 15.29% |
1920 | 4,204 | 49.00% | 4,157 | 48.46% | 218 | 2.54% |
1916 | 2,285 | 42.78% | 2,816 | 52.72% | 240 | 4.49% |
1912 | 1,235 | 29.50% | 1,945 | 46.45% | 1,007 | 24.05% |
1908 | 1,473 | 36.79% | 1,853 | 46.28% | 678 | 16.93% |
1904 | 1,124 | 41.96% | 1,470 | 54.87% | 85 | 3.17% |
1900 | 821 | 32.07% | 1,706 | 66.64% | 33 | 1.29% |
1896 | 751 | 28.21% | 1,906 | 71.60% | 5 | 0.19% |
1892 | 671 | 28.66% | 1,612 | 68.86% | 58 | 2.48% |
1888 | 629 | 31.28% | 1,382 | 68.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
At the presidential level, Scott County was historically a Democratic stronghold, voting Democratic in every election from 1872 through 1976 save Warren Harding's 1920 landslide and Richard Nixon's 1972 landslide.[22] A shift began to become evident in the 1980s, as Scott County voted Republican thrice in a row for the first time, one of those times even being against Southerner Jimmy Carter; however, all three elections were nationally decisive Republican wins, and Bill Clinton was able to recapture the county, albeit not by large margins, in both of his wins. Since then, however, Scott County has transitioned to being a reliable Republican stronghold; as of 2020, it has voted Republican six times in a row, and the Republican vote share has not gone below 60% since 2000. Donald Trump exceeded three-quarters of the vote in both of his runs.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Scott County generally adhere to socially and culturally
See also
References
- ^ "Explore Census Data".
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 363.
- ^ Capeci Jr., Dominic J. (1998). The Lynching of Cleo Wright. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 53–54.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 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 20, 2014.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 13, 2019.
- ^ "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) – Scott County, Missouri".
- ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Chaffee Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Sikeston Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ^ "Scott County, MO". Retrieved September 6, 2019.
- ^ https://www.scottcountymo.com/cmsAdmin/uploads/november32020official.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://www.scottcountymo.com/cmsAdmin/uploads/november32020official.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://www.scottcountymo.com/cmsAdmin/uploads/november32020official.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ https://www.scottcountymo.com/cmsAdmin/uploads/november32020official.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ "County winners, 1836-2016". Google Docs. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
External links
- ScottCountyMO.com
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Scott County Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books