Harrison County, Missouri
Harrison County is a county located in the northwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,157.[1] Its county seat is Bethany.[2] The county was organized February 14, 1845, and named for U.S. Representative Albert G. Harrison of Missouri.[3]
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 726 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 723 square miles (1,870 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Ringgold County, Iowa (north)
- Decatur County, Iowa (northeast)
- Mercer County (east)
- Grundy County (southeast)
- Daviess County (south)
- Gentry County (southwest)
- Worth County (northwest)
Major highways
[edit | edit source]- File:I-35 (MO).svg Interstate 35
- File:US 69.svg U.S. Route 69
- File:US 136.svg U.S. Route 136
- File:MO-13.svg Route 13
- File:MO-46.svg Route 46
- File:MO-146.svg Route 146
.svg){kind=link}
Transit
[edit | edit source]Demographics
[edit | edit source]2020 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,157, and the median age was 42.8 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.0 males age 18 and over.[5]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.1% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.[6]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[7]
There were 3,403 households in the county, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[5]
There were 4,019 housing units, of which 15.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.0% were owner-occupied and 27.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%.[5]
Racial and ethnic composition
[edit | edit source]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[8] | Pop 1990[9] | Pop 2000[10] | Pop 2010[11] | Pop 2020[12] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 9,811 | 8,374 | 8,654 | 8,659 | 7,618 | 99.20% | 98.88% | 97.79% | 96.67% | 93.39% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 32 | 0.00% | 0.09% | 0.14% | 0.31% | 0.39% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 16 | 31 | 20 | 28 | 30 | 0.16% | 0.37% | 0.23% | 0.31% | 0.37% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 18 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 23 | 0.18% | 0.20% | 0.15% | 0.18% | 0.28% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [13] | x [14] | 5 | 9 | 3 | x | x | 0.06% | 0.10% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.12% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [15] | x [16] | 57 | 70 | 273 | x | x | 0.64% | 0.78% | 3.35% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 45 | 37 | 89 | 141 | 168 | 0.46% | 0.44% | 1.01% | 1.57% | 2.06% |
| Total | 9,890 | 8,469 | 8,850 | 8,957 | 8,157 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2010 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2010 census, there were 8,957 people, 3,669 households and 2,461 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 4,407 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.55% White, 0.36% Native American, 0.33% Black or African American, 0.20% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races and 0.93% from two or more races. Approximately 1.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,669 households, out of which 29.79% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.51% were married couples living together, 8.29% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.92% were non-families. 28.26% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.31% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 7.18% from 18 to 24, 20.88% from 25 to 44, 26.44% from 45 to 64 and 20.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females there were 98.47 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.79 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,000 and the median income for a family was $47,788. Males had a median income of $33,105 versus $25,388 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,967. About 10.3% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
[edit | edit source]According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), evangelical Protestantism is the most common religion among adherents in Harrison County, although 37.69% of the population does not claim any religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Harrison County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (44.11%), United Methodists (10.77%) and Disciples of Christ (10.76%).
Education
[edit | edit source]School districts include:[17]
Public schools
[edit | edit source]- Cainsville R-I School District - Cainsville
- Cainsville Elementary School (PK-06)
- Cainsville High School (07–12)
- Gilman City R-IV School District - Gilman City
- Gilman City Elementary School (PK-06)
- Gilman City High School (07–12)
- North Harrison County R-III School District - Eagleville
- North Harrison County Elementary School (PK-05)
- North Harrison County High School (06–12)
- Ridgeway R-V School District - Ridgeway
- Ridgeway Elementary School (PK-06)
- Ridgeway High School (07–12)
- South Harrison County R-II School District - Bethany
- South Harrison County Early Childhood Educational Center (PK)
- South Harrison County Elementary School (K-06)
- South Harrison County High School (07–12)
Private schools
[edit | edit source]- Zadie Creek School - Eagleville (02–09) - Amish
Public libraries
[edit | edit source]- Bethany Public Library[18]
Communities
[edit | edit source]Cities
[edit | edit source]- Bethany (county seat)
- Cainsville
- Gilman City
- New Hampton
- Ridgeway
Villages
[edit | edit source]Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Townships
[edit | edit source]Notable people
[edit | edit source]- Babe Adams - MLB pitcher (1906–1926)
- Leonard Boswell - Politician
- Frank Buckles - Last surviving American veteran of World War I
- Jesse N. Funk - World War I Medal of Honor recipient
- Tyler Luellen - University of Missouri Football 2003–2007
Politics
[edit | edit source] |
Local
[edit | edit source]The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Harrison County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.
Template:Missouri county elected officials
State
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 85.19% 3,243 | 13.92% 530 | 0.90% 34 |
| 2020 | 82.61% 3,139 | 15.84% 602 | 1.55% 59 |
| 2016 | 67.50% 2,473 | 29.50% 1,081 | 3.00 110 |
| 2012 | 56.78% 2,072 | 39.82% 1,453 | 3.40% 124 |
| 2008 | 54.06% 2,090 | 43.87% 1,696 | 2.07% 80 |
| 2004 | 63.53% 2,556 | 35.22% 1,417 | 1.25% 50 |
| 2000 | 60.16% 2,307 | 37.29% 1,430 | 2.55% 98 |
| 1996 | 39.36% 1,472 | 58.82% 2,200 | 1.82% 68 |
All of Harrison County is a part of Missouri's 2nd District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by J. Eggleston (R-Maysville). Eggleston was reelected to a fourth term in 2020. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
All of Harrison County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby). Hegeman won a second term in 2018. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Federal
[edit | edit source]All of Harrison County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Harrison County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Eric Schmitt (R-Clayton). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Political culture
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 2,418 | 56.22% | 1,722 | 40.04% | 161 | 3.74% |
| 1892 | 2,474 | 52.83% | 1,630 | 34.81% | 579 | 12.36% |
| 1896 | 2,956 | 53.00% | 2,582 | 46.30% | 39 | 0.70% |
| 1900 | 3,083 | 56.26% | 2,209 | 40.31% | 188 | 3.43% |
| 1904 | 3,014 | 62.96% | 1,596 | 33.34% | 177 | 3.70% |
| 1908 | 2,842 | 58.41% | 1,938 | 39.83% | 86 | 1.77% |
| 1912 | 2,081 | 40.49% | 1,985 | 38.62% | 1,074 | 20.89% |
| 1916 | 2,741 | 53.86% | 2,205 | 43.33% | 143 | 2.81% |
| 1920 | 5,151 | 66.55% | 2,502 | 32.33% | 87 | 1.12% |
| 1924 | 4,247 | 58.18% | 2,792 | 38.25% | 261 | 3.58% |
| 1928 | 4,818 | 67.36% | 2,319 | 32.42% | 16 | 0.22% |
| 1932 | 2,476 | 42.09% | 3,376 | 57.39% | 31 | 0.53% |
| 1936 | 4,888 | 55.22% | 3,942 | 44.53% | 22 | 0.25% |
| 1940 | 5,304 | 61.42% | 3,325 | 38.50% | 7 | 0.08% |
| 1944 | 4,330 | 62.18% | 2,623 | 37.67% | 11 | 0.16% |
| 1948 | 3,646 | 55.98% | 2,854 | 43.82% | 13 | 0.20% |
| 1952 | 5,191 | 69.54% | 2,261 | 30.29% | 13 | 0.17% |
| 1956 | 4,141 | 62.19% | 2,518 | 37.81% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,166 | 65.44% | 2,200 | 34.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,516 | 47.44% | 2,787 | 52.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 3,092 | 59.55% | 1,688 | 32.51% | 412 | 7.94% |
| 1972 | 3,574 | 72.10% | 1,383 | 27.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,478 | 51.49% | 2,304 | 47.87% | 31 | 0.64% |
| 1980 | 2,734 | 58.73% | 1,732 | 37.21% | 189 | 4.06% |
| 1984 | 2,844 | 63.30% | 1,649 | 36.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 2,271 | 55.89% | 1,776 | 43.71% | 16 | 0.39% |
| 1992 | 1,563 | 37.02% | 1,590 | 37.66% | 1,069 | 25.32% |
| 1996 | 1,737 | 44.77% | 1,628 | 41.96% | 515 | 13.27% |
| 2000 | 2,552 | 63.94% | 1,328 | 33.27% | 111 | 2.78% |
| 2004 | 2,729 | 67.42% | 1,279 | 31.60% | 40 | 0.99% |
| 2008 | 2,512 | 64.16% | 1,287 | 32.87% | 116 | 2.96% |
| 2012 | 2,624 | 71.01% | 984 | 26.63% | 87 | 2.35% |
| 2016 | 2,965 | 80.37% | 574 | 15.56% | 150 | 4.07% |
| 2020 | 3,198 | 83.59% | 597 | 15.60% | 31 | 0.81% |
| 2024 | 3,293 | 85.64% | 534 | 13.89% | 18 | 0.47% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
At the presidential level, Harrison County is reliably Republican. Donald Trump carried the county easily in 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Harrison County in 1992. The last Democrat to win support from a majority of Harrison County voters was Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in Harrison County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to 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 won in Harrison County with 81% of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71% support from voters. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Harrison County with 56% voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51% of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Harrison 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 Harrison County with 61% of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 79% voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.) In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 59.09% of Harrison County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.
Missouri presidential preference primaries
[edit | edit source]2020
[edit | edit source]The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Harrison County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) won both Harrison County and statewide by large margins. None of his primary challengers received any votes in Harrison County. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
2016
[edit | edit source]The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall and won a plurality of the vote in Harrison County. He went on to win the presidency. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin, but Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) narrowly carried Harrison County. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
2012
[edit | edit source]In the 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary, voters in Harrison County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but ultimately lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates were chosen at a county caucus that ultimately selected an uncommitted delegation. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.
2008
[edit | edit source]In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Harrison County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 171.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 20–25.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 13–63.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Harrison County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Harrison County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Harrison County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ↑ Geography Division. 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Harrison County, MO (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 8, 2025. - Text list
- ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Bethany 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 | edit source]- Wanamaker, George W. History of Harrison County, Missouri (1921) online[permanent dead link]
External links
[edit | edit source]- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Harrison County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
- Harrison County Sheriff's Office
- Use American English from June 2025
- Use mdy dates from April 2024
- Articles needing additional references from June 2014
- Articles with dead external links from August 2025
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
- Harrison County, Missouri
- Missouri counties
- 1845 establishments in Missouri
- Populated places in the United States established in 1845