Christian County, Missouri

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Template:Infobox U.S. county

Christian County is located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 88,842. Its county seat is Ozark.[1] The county was organized in 1859 and is named after Christian County, Kentucky, which in turn is named for William Christian, a Kentucky soldier of the American Revolutionary War.[2]

Part of the Springfield, Missouri metropolitan statistical area, Christian County experienced rapid growth between 2000 and 2010, becoming the fastest-growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest in the nation, largely due to Springfield's expansion.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is are covered by water.[4] The county is drained by James River and branches of the White River. The surface is undulating or hilly.[5]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

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Christian County, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[6] Pop 1990[7] Pop 2000[8] Pop 2010[9] Pop 2020[10] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 22,116 32,126 52,409 72,982 78,890 98.72% 98.41% 96.54% 94.27% 88.80%
Black or African American alone (NH) 10 35 139 433 597 0.04% 0.11% 0.26% 0.56% 0.67%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 131 190 281 442 468 0.58% 0.58% 0.52% 0.57% 0.53%
Asian alone (NH) 23 74 154 385 624 0.10% 0.23% 0.28% 0.50% 0.70%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [11] x [12] 15 50 68 x x 0.03% 0.06% 0.08%
Other race alone (NH) 7 3 13 29 240 0.03% 0.01% 0.02% 0.04% 0.27%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [13] x [14] 560 1,203 4,943 x x 1.03% 1.55% 5.56%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 115 216 714 1,898 3,012 0.51% 0.66% 1.32% 2.45% 3.39%
Total 22,402 32,644 54,285 77,422 88,842 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 88,842. The median age was 38.1 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.7 males age 18 and over.[15][16]

The racial makeup of the county was 90.0% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 6.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.[16]

57.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 42.2% lived in rural areas.[17]

There were 33,385 households in the county, of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]

There were 35,134 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.5% were owner-occupied and 25.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%.[15]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census,[18] 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families were residing in the county. The population density was 96 inhabitants per square mile (37/km2). The 21,827 housing units had an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White, 0.27% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. About 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race; 23.7% were of American, 21.1% German, 12.3% English and 11.3% Irish in ancestry.

Of the 20,425 households, 38.6% had children under 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were not families. Around 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the age distribution was 27.8% under 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,200, and for a family was $58,806. Males had a median income of $31,929 versus $21,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Local

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

On May 20, 2015, Sheriff Joey Kyle plead guilty to embezzling county funds and participating in an illegal fraud scheme. As a part of a plea agreement, he immediately resigned as sheriff, was sentenced to one year plus one day in federal prison, and must repay more than $50,000 in restitution to Christian County.[19]

Template:Missouri county elected officials

State

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Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 74.71% 37,658 23.51% 11,822 1.78% 897
2020 74.60% 34,827 23.30% 10,863 2.1% 970
2016 68.97% 28,618 27.94% 11,593 3.09% 1,285
2012 58.01% 21,902 39.73% 15,000 2.26% 852
2008 49.65% 18,556 47.73% 17,840 2.61% 977
2004 68.61% 21,400 30.27% 9,443 1.12% 348
2000 58.90% 13,646 39.49% 9,148 1.61% 373
1996 56.69% 10,559 40.22% 7,491 3.10% 577

Christian County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are represented by Republicans.

  • District 138 — Don Phillips (R-Kimberling City). Consists of the communities of Billings and part of Republic.

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  • District 139 — Rep. Jered Taylor (R-Nixa). Consists of the communities of Clever, Highlandville, Nixa, and Spokane.

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  • District 140 — Rep. Lynn Morris (R-Ozark). Consists of the communities of Fremont Hills, Ozark, Saddlebrook, and Sparta.

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All of Christian County is a part of Missouri's 20th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Eric Burlison (R-Battlefield). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end

Federal

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All of Christian County is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Eric Burlison (R-Ozark) in the U.S. House of Representatives. 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 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

Political culture

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United States presidential election results for Christian County, Missouri[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 1,541 55.00% 795 28.37% 466 16.63%
1892 1,559 54.32% 653 22.75% 658 22.93%
1896 1,983 53.32% 1,729 46.49% 7 0.19%
1900 2,107 59.59% 1,326 37.50% 103 2.91%
1904 1,947 66.13% 871 29.59% 126 4.28%
1908 1,871 61.08% 956 31.21% 236 7.70%
1912 1,203 39.55% 793 26.07% 1,046 34.39%
1916 1,978 64.37% 938 30.52% 157 5.11%
1920 3,795 78.13% 919 18.92% 143 2.94%
1924 2,692 62.77% 1,281 29.87% 316 7.37%
1928 3,576 75.75% 1,124 23.81% 21 0.44%
1932 2,395 47.38% 2,577 50.98% 83 1.64%
1936 4,022 61.87% 2,462 37.87% 17 0.26%
1940 4,509 72.11% 1,729 27.65% 15 0.24%
1944 4,167 78.47% 1,134 21.36% 9 0.17%
1948 3,129 66.08% 1,600 33.79% 6 0.13%
1952 4,440 76.24% 1,374 23.59% 10 0.17%
1956 3,732 68.33% 1,730 31.67% 0 0.00%
1960 4,627 74.04% 1,622 25.96% 0 0.00%
1964 3,232 54.98% 2,646 45.02% 0 0.00%
1968 4,019 64.43% 1,586 25.42% 633 10.15%
1972 6,305 76.42% 1,945 23.58% 0 0.00%
1976 4,553 53.93% 3,830 45.37% 59 0.70%
1980 6,487 63.28% 3,502 34.16% 262 2.56%
1984 7,634 70.31% 3,223 29.69% 0 0.00%
1988 7,670 61.66% 4,724 37.97% 46 0.37%
1992 7,422 43.29% 6,242 36.41% 3,481 20.30%
1996 9,477 50.97% 6,627 35.64% 2,491 13.40%
2000 14,824 63.82% 7,896 33.99% 508 2.19%
2004 22,102 70.51% 9,059 28.90% 187 0.60%
2008 25,382 67.08% 11,883 31.41% 572 1.51%
2012 27,473 72.37% 9,813 25.85% 678 1.79%
2016 30,946 73.92% 8,508 20.32% 2,409 5.75%
2020 34,920 74.42% 11,131 23.72% 874 1.86%
2024 38,379 75.57% 11,850 23.33% 560 1.10%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Christian County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush carried Christian County in 2000 and 2004 by more than two-to-one margins, and like many other rural and exurban counties throughout Missouri, Christian County strongly favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008. The only Democratic presidential candidate to win Christian County since the Civil War has been Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932.[21] In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was the favored candidate receiving 30,941 votes.[22]

Like most areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Christian 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 Christian County with 80.46 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 Christian County with 58.98 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 Christian 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 Christian County with 73.01 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)

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Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Voters in Christian 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 5,852, than any candidate from either party in Christian County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.

Education

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School districts in the county, including those based in other counties with segments of this county, include:[23]

Public schools

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  • Billings R-IV School District - Billings
    • Billings Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Billings High School (07-12)
  • Chadwick R-I School District - Chadwick
    • Chadwick Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Chadwick High School (07-12)
  • Clever R-V School District - Clever
    • Clever EleMiddle School (PK-08)
    • Clever High School (09-12)
  • Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District - Rogersville
    • Logan-Rogersville Primary School - (PK-01)
    • Logan-Rogersville Elementary School - (02-03)
    • Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary School - (04-06)
    • Logan-Rogersville Middle School - (07-08)
    • Logan-Rogersville High School - (09-12)
  • Nixa R-II School District - Nixa
    • Nixa Early Childhood Center (PK)
    • High Pointe Elementary School (K-04)
    • Mathews Elementary School (K-04)
    • Century Elementary School (K-04)
    • Espy Elementary School (K-04)
    • John Thomas School of Discovery (K-06)
    • Nicholas A. Inman Intermediate School (05-06)
    • Summit Intermediate School (05-06)
    • Nixa Jr. High School (07-08)
    • Nixa Public High School (09-12)
  • Ozark R-VI School District - Ozark
    • North Elementary School (K-04)
    • East Elementary School (K-04)
    • West Elementary School (K-04)
    • South Elementary School (K-04)
    • Upper Elementary School (05-06)
    • Ozark Jr. High School (07-08)
    • Ozark High School (09-12)
  • Sparta R-III School District - Sparta
    • Sparta Elementary School (PK-05)
    • Sparta Middle School (06-08)
    • Sparta High School (09-12)
  • Spokane R-VII School District - Spokane
    • Highlandville Elementary School (PK-05) - Highlandville
    • Spokane Middle School (06-08)
    • Spokane High School (09-12)

Private schools

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  • Faith Christian School - Spokane - (PK-12) - Baptist

Colleges and universities

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Public libraries

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Christian County Library System

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Christian County currently has three public library branches that serve the community. The Christian County Library (CCL) operates these branches. The library offers residents books, A/V materials, programming, printing, and WiFi access.[24] There is a branch in Ozark, Nixa, and Clever.[25] In August 2019, the library announced the continuation of their expansion to the public. Construction is set to begin on at least one new library branch by spring 2020.[26]

Tax approval

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On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, voters in Christian County approved to instate a 20-cent property tax levy. Sixty-eight percent of the voters approved the tax. Before this tax, the library was only able to operate one branch for the whole county. To accommodate new housing and population growth in the county, CCL announced their intentions to construct and/or open new branches around the county. The tax approval also allowed for a renovation of the original Ozark Branch. CCL expects 85 percent of the population in Christian County to be within a five-mile radius of the library after all intended branches are opened.[27]

The front of the Nixa branch library is depicted. The library is brick and immediately meets a parking lot.
Christian County Library Nixa Branch
Christian County Library Board of Trustees[28]
Position Held Name
President Ken Barthelette
Vice President Loretta Hermann
Treasurer Maurine Myers
Secretary Heather Davidson
Member at Large Christa Mitchell
  • Christian County Library[29]
  • Billings City Library

Public safety

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  • Billings Fire Protection District
  • Billings Police Department
  • Chadwick Fire Protection District - Chadwick
  • Christian County Ambulance District
  • Christian County Sheriff's Department
  • Clever Fire Protection District
  • Clever Police Department
  • Highlandville Fire Protection District
  • Highlandville Police Department
  • Nixa Fire Protection District
  • Nixa Police Department
  • Ozark Fire Protection District
  • Ozark Police Department
  • Sparta Fire Protection District
  • Sparta Police Department

Communities

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Cities

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Village

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated communities

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Townships

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The Christian County chapter of the Bald Knobbers created the distinctive masks that the group has become known for, despite the original Taney County chapter never adopting such masks.[30] This masked depiction is what would eventually be used in the book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright. The book would later be adapted to film and the stage. This masked depiction can also be seen on the ride Fire in the Hole located at Silver Dollar City.

Jason Bourne, the main protagonist of the Bourne film franchise was from Nixa, the largest city in Christian County.

The 2010 film Winter's Bone was filmed entirely in Taney County and Christian County. Many locals were cast in significant roles in the film.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ↑ Pokin, Steve (August 8, 2018). "Answer Man: Why's Christian County have a panhandle in its boundary? Looks like Oklahoma". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. ↑ Tang, Didi (February 11, 2011). "New Census numbers: Christian County fastest growing in state". The Springfield News-Leader. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ Template:Cite AmCyc
  6. ↑ "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. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 13, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 13–63. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Christian County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Christian County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Christian County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  12. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  13. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  14. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  17. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Going to jail: Christian County Sheriff admits to fraud and embezzlement". news-leader.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  21. ↑ Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868–2004, pp. 239, 241, 244 ISBN 0786422173
  22. ↑ "Christian County Election Results". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  23. ↑ Geography Division (January 12, 2021). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Christian County, MO (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2025. - Text list
  24. ↑ "Services at Christian County Library - Digital - Research and More". Christian County Library. August 26, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Locations". Christian County Library. March 1, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Your Library District is Growing: Sparta and Clever Branch Construction Timeline Announced". Christian County Library. August 30, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Christian County Voters Approve Library Tax". KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. August 9, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Trustees & Administration". Christian County Library. August 27, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  29. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Christian County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Springfield-Greene County Library -- Bittersweet". thelibrary.org. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "On Location: The Frozen Ozarks Of 'Winter's Bone'". NPR.org. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
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Template:Geographic Location

Template:Christian County, Missouri Template:Missouri

Coordinates: 36°58′N 93°11′W / 36.97°N 93.19°W / 36.97; -93.19

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