Miller County, Missouri
Miller County is a county located in the northern Ozarks region of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,722.[1] Its county seat is Tuscumbia.[2] The county was organized February 6, 1837, and named for John Miller,[3] former U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri.
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 600 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 593 square miles (1,540 km2) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.2%) is water.[4]
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Moniteau County (north)
- Cole County (northeast)
- Osage County (northeast)
- Maries County (east)
- Pulaski County (south)
- Camden County (southwest)
- Morgan County (west)
Major highways
[edit | edit source]- File:US 54.svg U.S. Route 54
- File:MO-17.svg Route 17
- File:MO-42.svg Route 42
- File:MO-52.svg Route 52
- File:MO-87.svg Route 87
- File:MO-134.svg Route 134
- File:MO-242.svg Route 242
Demographics
[edit | edit source]2020 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 24,722. The median age was 41.3 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.9 males age 18 and over.[5]
The racial makeup of the county was 93.4% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.[6]
23.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 76.5% lived in rural areas.[7]
There were 9,867 households in the county, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[5]
There were 12,476 housing units, of which 20.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.1% were owner-occupied and 25.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.0%.[5]
| 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) | 18,301 | 20,469 | 22,934 | 23,762 | 22,908 | 98.75% | 98.88% | 97.33% | 96.02% | 92.66% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 8 | 23 | 63 | 95 | 117 | 0.04% | 0.11% | 0.27% | 0.38% | 0.47% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 67 | 83 | 100 | 123 | 113 | 0.36% | 0.40% | 0.42% | 0.50% | 0.46% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 25 | 21 | 27 | 69 | 64 | 0.13% | 0.10% | 0.11% | 0.28% | 0.26% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [13] | x [14] | 5 | 36 | 24 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.15% | 0.10% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 14 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 45 | 0.08% | 0.01% | 0.06% | 0.02% | 0.18% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [15] | x [16] | 189 | 316 | 985 | x | x | 0.80% | 1.28% | 3.98% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 117 | 101 | 231 | 343 | 466 | 0.63% | 0.49% | 0.98% | 1.39% | 1.88% |
| Total | 18,532 | 20,700 | 23,564 | 24,748 | 24,722 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
[edit | edit source]As of the census[17] of 2000, there were 23,564 people, 9,284 households, and 6,443 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 11,263 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.99% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Approximately 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,284 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,977, and the median income for a family was $36,770. Males had a median income of $26,225 versus $18,903 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,144. About 10.80% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.
Education
[edit | edit source]Public schools
[edit | edit source]- Eldon R-I School District – Eldon
- South Elementary School (PK-03)
- Eldon Upper Elementary School (04-06)
- Eldon Middle School (07-08)
- Eldon High School (09-12)
- Iberia R-V School District – Iberia
- Iberia Elementary School (PK-06)
- Iberia High School (07-12)
- Miller County R-III School District – Tuscumbia
- Miller County Elementary School (K-08)
- Tuscumbia High School (09-12)
- School of the Osage – Lake Ozark
- Leland O. Mills Elementary School (PK-02)
- Osage Upper Elementary School (03-05)
- Osage Middle School (06-08)
- Osage High School (09-12)
- St. Elizabeth R-IV School District – St. Elizabeth
- St. Elizabeth Elementary School (K-06)
- St. Elizabeth High School (07-12)
Private schools
[edit | edit source]- Lakeview Christian Academy – Lake Ozark (K-10) – Nondenominational Christian
- Our Lady of the Snows School – Eugene (K-08) – Roman Catholic
- Eldon Montessori Children's House – Eldon (PK-K) – Nonsectarian
- The King's Academy - Christ the King Lutheran School – Lake Ozark (Preschool-8) – Lutheran
Public libraries
[edit | edit source]- Heartland Regional Library System[18]
Communities
[edit | edit source]Cities and towns
[edit | edit source]- Bagnell
- Brumley
- Eldon (largest city)
- Iberia
- Lake Ozark
- Lakeside
- Olean
- Osage Beach
- St. Elizabeth
- Tuscumbia (county seat)
Census-designated place
[edit | edit source]Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Government and politics
[edit | edit source]Political culture
[edit | edit source]Like most counties in rural western Missouri, Miller County is very Republican. It hasn't supported a Democrat for president since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. The only other time it supported a Democrat in the 20th century was in 1912, when Woodrow Wilson carried the county against a mortally divided GOP. Lyndon Johnson is the last Democrat to garner even 40 percent of the county's vote.
Underlining how Republican the county has been over the years, it rejected native son Harry Truman in 1944 as Roosevelt's running mate, and when he headed the ticket himself in 1948.
Local
[edit | edit source]The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Miller County. Republicans currently hold all of the elected positions in the county.
Template:Missouri county elected officials
State
[edit | edit source]Gubernatorial
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 82.84% 10,638 | 14.76% 1,893 | 2.40% 308 |
| 2020 | 82.82% 10,212 | 15.31% 1,888 | 1.87% 231 |
| 2016 | 69.65% 7,924 | 27.37% 3,114 | 2.98% 339 |
| 2012 | 59.85% 6,547 | 36.67% 4,012 | 3.48% 381 |
| 2008 | 55.86% 6,414 | 42.31% 4,858 | 1.84% 211 |
| 2004 | 67.76% 7,331 | 31.15% 3,370 | 1.09% 118 |
| 2000 | 57.12% 5,343 | 39.38% 3,684 | 3.50% 327 |
| 1996 | 45.28% 3,984 | 51.76% 4,554 | 2.97% 261 |
Missouri House of Representatives
[edit | edit source]Miller County is divided into four legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are represented by Republicans.
- District 58 — David Wood (R-Versailles). Consists of the city of Eldon.
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- District 59 — Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City). Consists of the community of Olean.
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- District 124 — Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark). Consists of most of the county, including the communities of Bagnell, Brumley, Iberia, Kaiser, Lake Ozark, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Tuscumbia, and Ulman.
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Missouri Senate
[edit | edit source]All of Miller County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Federal
[edit | edit source]US Senate
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US House of Representatives
[edit | edit source]All of Miller County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) 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 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
Presidential
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,596 | 56.06% | 1,195 | 41.97% | 56 | 1.97% |
| 1892 | 1,497 | 51.23% | 1,076 | 36.82% | 349 | 11.94% |
| 1896 | 1,707 | 50.00% | 1,694 | 49.62% | 13 | 0.38% |
| 1900 | 1,796 | 53.63% | 1,493 | 44.58% | 60 | 1.79% |
| 1904 | 1,959 | 57.75% | 1,351 | 39.83% | 82 | 2.42% |
| 1908 | 2,016 | 57.47% | 1,393 | 39.71% | 99 | 2.82% |
| 1912 | 1,240 | 38.98% | 1,257 | 39.52% | 684 | 21.50% |
| 1916 | 1,862 | 55.52% | 1,395 | 41.59% | 97 | 2.89% |
| 1920 | 3,555 | 64.94% | 1,833 | 33.49% | 86 | 1.57% |
| 1924 | 3,011 | 56.16% | 1,962 | 36.60% | 388 | 7.24% |
| 1928 | 3,379 | 62.85% | 1,979 | 36.81% | 18 | 0.33% |
| 1932 | 2,615 | 40.64% | 3,776 | 58.68% | 44 | 0.68% |
| 1936 | 3,607 | 50.90% | 3,436 | 48.49% | 43 | 0.61% |
| 1940 | 3,971 | 55.87% | 3,113 | 43.80% | 23 | 0.32% |
| 1944 | 3,609 | 61.69% | 2,229 | 38.10% | 12 | 0.21% |
| 1948 | 3,088 | 55.03% | 2,514 | 44.80% | 9 | 0.16% |
| 1952 | 4,237 | 63.42% | 2,426 | 36.31% | 18 | 0.27% |
| 1956 | 4,085 | 61.71% | 2,535 | 38.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,482 | 63.43% | 2,584 | 36.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,784 | 56.97% | 2,858 | 43.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,425 | 64.88% | 1,727 | 25.32% | 668 | 9.79% |
| 1972 | 5,682 | 78.05% | 1,598 | 21.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 4,095 | 59.64% | 2,739 | 39.89% | 32 | 0.47% |
| 1980 | 5,560 | 67.93% | 2,469 | 30.16% | 156 | 1.91% |
| 1984 | 6,706 | 76.55% | 2,054 | 23.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 5,662 | 68.82% | 2,555 | 31.06% | 10 | 0.12% |
| 1992 | 4,175 | 44.01% | 2,905 | 30.62% | 2,407 | 25.37% |
| 1996 | 4,387 | 50.20% | 3,110 | 35.59% | 1,242 | 14.21% |
| 2000 | 5,945 | 63.54% | 3,217 | 34.38% | 194 | 2.07% |
| 2004 | 7,797 | 71.99% | 2,959 | 27.32% | 75 | 0.69% |
| 2008 | 7,797 | 67.43% | 3,553 | 30.73% | 213 | 1.84% |
| 2012 | 8,099 | 73.31% | 2,651 | 24.00% | 298 | 2.70% |
| 2016 | 9,285 | 80.87% | 1,750 | 15.24% | 447 | 3.89% |
| 2020 | 10,176 | 82.08% | 2,038 | 16.44% | 183 | 1.48% |
| 2024 | 10,826 | 83.21% | 2,067 | 15.89% | 118 | 0.91% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
[edit | edit source]Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 1,406, than any candidate from either party in Miller County during the 2008 presidential primary.
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Explore Census Data".
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 208.
- ↑ "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 18, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 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. p. 20-25.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 13-63.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Miller County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Miller County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Miller 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
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Heartland Regional Library System". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ↑ "Election Summary Report - General election Miller county, Missouri" (PDF). November 3, 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 17, 2022.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage counties, Missouri : from the earliest time to the present, including a department devoted to the preservation of sundry personal, business, professional and the private records; besides a valuable fund of notes, original observations, etc. etc. (1889) online
External links
[edit | edit source]- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Miller County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books