Osage County, Missouri
Osage County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,274.[1] Its county seat is Linn.[2] The county was organized January 29, 1841, and named from the Osage River.[3]
Osage County is part of the Jefferson City, Missouri Metropolitan Area. Its geography and the founding of Westphalia Vineyards links it to the Missouri Rhineland, extending along the Missouri River valley to the western edges of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
According to data from the 2010 census, Osage County is the whitest county in Missouri, with 98.85 percent of residents being white.
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 610 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 604 square miles (1,560 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) (1.0%) is water.[4]
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Callaway County (north)
- Gasconade County (east)
- Maries County (south)
- Miller County (southwest)
- Cole County (west)
- Montgomery County (northeast)
Major highways
[edit | edit source]
U.S. Route 50- File:US 63.svg U.S. Route 63
- File:MO-89.svg Route 89
- File:MO-100.svg Route 100
- File:MO-133.svg Route 133
Demographics
[edit | edit source]2020 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,274, the median age was 41.3 years, 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.6% were 65 years of age or older; there were 105.2 males for every 100 females and 106.9 males for every 100 females age 18 and over.[5]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[6]
There were 5,349 households in the county, of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 17.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present; about 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[5]
There were 6,492 housing units, of which 17.6% were vacant; among occupied units, 80.5% were owner-occupied and 19.5% were renter-occupied, with homeowner and rental vacancy rates of 1.3% and 15.7%, respectively.[5]
The racial makeup of the county was 96.0% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.0% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.2% some other race, and 3.3% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.9% of the population.[7] The table below provides the counts and percentages for these groups.
2020 census
[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) | 11,920 | 11,901 | 12,828 | 13,654 | 12,688 | 99.22% | 99.03% | 98.21% | 98.39% | 95.59% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2 | 38 | 16 | 28 | 24 | 0.02% | 0.32% | 0.12% | 0.20% | 0.18% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 15 | 20 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 0.12% | 0.17% | 0.24% | 0.21% | 0.21% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 5 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.02% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [13] | x [14] | 3 | 4 | 10 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [15] | x [16] | 96 | 64 | 386 | x | x | 0.73% | 0.46% | 2.91% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 70 | 56 | 77 | 84 | 125 | 0.58% | 0.47% | 0.59% | 0.61% | 0.94% |
| Total | 12,014 | 12,018 | 13,062 | 13,878 | 13,274 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2000 census[17], there were 13,062 people, 4,922 households, and 3,578 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 5,904 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.64% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Approximately 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,922 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,565, and the median income for a family was $46,503. Males had a median income of $29,538 versus $22,353 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,245. About 5.90% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.
Education
[edit | edit source]School districts with any amount of territory in the county, no matter how slight, include:[18]
Public schools
[edit | edit source]- Osage County R-I School District – Chamois
- Osage County R-I Elementary School (PK-06)
- Chamois High School (07-12)
- Osage County R-II School District – Linn
- Osage County R-II Elementary School (PK-06)
- Linn High School (07-12)
- Osage County R-III School District – Westphalia
- Fatima Elementary School (PK-06)
- Fatima High School (07-12)
Private schools
[edit | edit source]- St. Joseph Catholic School – Westphalia (K-09) – Roman Catholic
- Immaculate Conception School – Loose Creek (K-09) – Roman Catholic
- St. George School – Linn (K-09) – Roman Catholic
- Sacred Heart School – Rich Fountain (K-09) – Roman Catholic
- Holy Family School – Freeburg (K-09) – Roman Catholic
- St. Mary's School – Bonnots Mill (K-09) – Roman Catholic
Post-secondary
[edit | edit source]- State Technical College of Missouri - Linn, Missouri
Public libraries
[edit | edit source]Communities
[edit | edit source]Cities and Towns
[edit | edit source]- Argyle (a portion of the city extends into Maries County)
- Belle (mostly in Maries County)
- Bland (mostly in Gasconade County)
- Chamois
- Freeburg
- Linn (county seat)
- Meta
- Westphalia
Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Politics
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Local
[edit | edit source]The Republican Party mostly controls politics at the local level in Osage County. Republicans currently hold over half of the elected positions in the county.
Template:Missouri county elected officials
State
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 87.74% 6,777 | 10.58% 817 | 1.68% 130 |
| 2020 | 86.43% 6,512 | 12.30% 927 | 1.26% 95 |
| 2016 | 64.64% 4,579 | 32.76% 2,321 | 2.60% 184 |
| 2012 | 58.37% 4,016 | 39.42% 2,712 | 2.21% 152 |
| 2008 | 59.51% 4,212 | 39.45% 2,792 | 1.04% 74 |
| 2004 | 68.67% 4,586 | 30.61% 2,044 | 0.71% 48 |
| 2000 | 55.78% 3,450 | 42.78% 2,646 | 1.44% 89 |
| 1996 | 38.80% 2,151 | 59.33% 3,289 | 1.88% 104 |
Osage County is split between two of the districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives, and both are represented by Republicans.
- District 61 — Aaron Griesheimer). Consists of the northern half of the county.
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All of Osage 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
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All of Osage 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 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
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,446 | 54.04% | 1,190 | 44.47% | 40 | 1.49% |
| 1892 | 1,378 | 51.23% | 1,266 | 47.06% | 46 | 1.71% |
| 1896 | 1,700 | 53.26% | 1,456 | 45.61% | 36 | 1.13% |
| 1900 | 1,731 | 54.28% | 1,396 | 43.78% | 62 | 1.94% |
| 1904 | 1,699 | 52.70% | 1,451 | 45.01% | 74 | 2.30% |
| 1908 | 1,820 | 55.24% | 1,439 | 43.67% | 36 | 1.09% |
| 1912 | 981 | 33.56% | 1,394 | 47.69% | 548 | 18.75% |
| 1916 | 1,769 | 55.56% | 1,383 | 43.44% | 32 | 1.01% |
| 1920 | 3,699 | 76.17% | 1,118 | 23.02% | 39 | 0.80% |
| 1924 | 2,496 | 51.98% | 1,986 | 41.36% | 320 | 6.66% |
| 1928 | 2,474 | 44.40% | 3,092 | 55.49% | 6 | 0.11% |
| 1932 | 1,798 | 33.38% | 3,567 | 66.21% | 22 | 0.41% |
| 1936 | 2,836 | 48.08% | 2,995 | 50.77% | 68 | 1.15% |
| 1940 | 3,743 | 61.50% | 2,332 | 38.32% | 11 | 0.18% |
| 1944 | 3,284 | 60.68% | 2,121 | 39.19% | 7 | 0.13% |
| 1948 | 2,488 | 48.12% | 2,672 | 51.68% | 10 | 0.19% |
| 1952 | 3,404 | 60.73% | 2,191 | 39.09% | 10 | 0.18% |
| 1956 | 3,077 | 55.72% | 2,445 | 44.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,678 | 48.01% | 2,900 | 51.99% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,712 | 50.98% | 2,608 | 49.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 3,107 | 61.63% | 1,540 | 30.55% | 394 | 7.82% |
| 1972 | 4,266 | 74.18% | 1,485 | 25.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 3,224 | 61.19% | 2,015 | 38.24% | 30 | 0.57% |
| 1980 | 3,679 | 63.19% | 2,045 | 35.13% | 98 | 1.68% |
| 1984 | 4,381 | 76.54% | 1,343 | 23.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 3,885 | 68.58% | 1,771 | 31.26% | 9 | 0.16% |
| 1992 | 2,784 | 45.84% | 1,860 | 30.63% | 1,429 | 23.53% |
| 1996 | 2,890 | 51.90% | 2,045 | 36.73% | 633 | 11.37% |
| 2000 | 4,154 | 67.24% | 1,938 | 31.37% | 86 | 1.39% |
| 2004 | 4,975 | 74.58% | 1,673 | 25.08% | 23 | 0.34% |
| 2008 | 5,062 | 71.51% | 1,907 | 26.94% | 110 | 1.55% |
| 2012 | 5,329 | 77.02% | 1,473 | 21.29% | 117 | 1.69% |
| 2016 | 5,856 | 82.60% | 998 | 14.08% | 236 | 3.33% |
| 2020 | 6,425 | 85.14% | 1,037 | 13.74% | 84 | 1.11% |
| 2024 | 6,657 | 85.95% | 1,009 | 13.03% | 79 | 1.02% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
[edit | edit source]Missouri presidential preference primary (2016)
[edit | edit source]Donald J. Trump received more votes, a total of 1,316, than any candidate from either party in Osage County during the 2016 presidential primary.
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1917). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 337.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 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 Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. 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 – Osage County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osage County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osage 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.
- ↑ Geography Division (January 12, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Osage County, MO (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2025. - Text list
- ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Osage County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 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]- The Osage County Branch of the Missouri River Regional Library
- Westphalia Vineyards Official Website
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Osage County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
- Use American English from June 2025
- Use mdy dates from April 2024
- Articles needing additional references from June 2014
- Coordinates not on Wikidata
- Osage County, Missouri
- 1841 establishments in Missouri
- Missouri placenames of Native American origin
- Missouri Rhineland
- Jefferson City metropolitan area
- Missouri counties on the Missouri River
- Populated places in the United States established in 1841