Polk County, Missouri

From Wikipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Infobox U.S. county

Polk County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,519.[1] The county seat is Bolivar.[2] The county was organized January 5, 1835,[3] and is named for Ezekiel Polk. Polk County is part of the Springfield metropolitan area.

History

[edit]

Polk County was separated and organized from Greene County on January 5, 1835. A supplement to the boundary change was made on March 13, 1835.[3][4] Its original boundaries were later reduced in creating Dade, Dallas, and Hickory counties. It was named in honor of Col. Ezekiel Polk of Tennessee, a soldier who served under General George Washington and who was the grandfather of John Polk Campbell and Ezekiel Madison Campbell, brothers who helped to settle Polk and Greene counties.[5] Ezekiel Polk was also the grandfather of James K. Polk, who was a member of the US House of Representatives in 1835. He was elected President of the United States in 1844.[6]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 642 square miles (1,660 km2), of which 636 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (1.1%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Transit

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]

Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

[edit]
Polk 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[8] Pop 1990[9] Pop 2000[10] Pop 2010[11] Pop 2020[12] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 18,560 21,384 26,024 29,565 28,682 98.61% 97.97% 96.41% 94.95% 91.00%
Black or African American alone (NH) 33 67 119 226 242 0.18% 0.31% 0.44% 0.73% 0.77%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 83 125 176 190 190 0.44% 0.57% 0.65% 0.61% 0.60%
Asian alone (NH) 21 71 51 104 131 0.11% 0.33% 0.19% 0.33% 0.42%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [13] x [14] 8 9 4 x x 0.03% 0.03% 0.01%
Other race alone (NH) 17 6 7 9 61 0.09% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.19%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [15] x [16] 257 419 1,418 x x 0.95% 1.35% 4.50%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 108 173 350 615 791 0.57% 0.79% 1.30% 1.98% 2.51%
Total 18,822 21,826 26,992 31,137 31,519 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 31,519. The median age was 39.3 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.4 males age 18 and over.[17]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.2% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 5.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.[18]

Racial composition in Polk County[19]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 28,682 91%
Black or African American (NH) 242 0.76%
Native American (NH) 190 0.6%
Asian (NH) 131 0.42%
Pacific Islander (NH) 4 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,479 4.7%
Hispanic or Latino 791 2.51%

32.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 67.2% lived in rural areas.[20]

There were 11,992 households in the county, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[17]

There were 13,387 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.7% were owner-occupied and 30.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.[17]

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 26,992 people, 9,917 households, and 7,140 families residing in the county.[21] The population density was 42 inhabitants per square mile (16/km2). There were 11,183 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.26% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Approximately 1.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,917 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 23.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 12.60% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,656, and the median income for a family was $35,843. Males had a median income of $25,383 versus $18,799 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,645. About 11.10% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

Public libraries

[edit]
  • Polk County Public Library[22]

Media

[edit]

The Bolivar Herald-Free Press is published twice weekly.

Communities

[edit]

Cities

[edit]

Villages

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Townships

[edit]

Polk County is divided into 22 townships:

Politics

[edit]

TemplateStyles' src attribute must not be empty.

TemplateStyles' src attribute must not be empty.

Local

[edit]

Template:Missouri county elected officials

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

State

[edit]

TemplateStyles' src attribute must not be empty.

Past gubernatorial elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2024 79.38% 12,487 18.69% 2,940 1.93% 304
2020 81.74% 12,319 16.42% 2,475 1.84% 278
2016 66.92% 9,251 30.15% 4,168 2.92% 404
2012 53.89% 7,052 43.15% 5,647 2.96% 388
2008 45.76% 6,244 49.52% 6,758 4.72% 644
2004 67.84% 8,418 30.90% 3,835 1.56% 1.26
2000 58.65% 5,996 39.79% 4,068 1.55% 159
1996 55.64% 5,043 40.51% 3,672 3.85% 349

All of Polk County is in the 128th district in the Missouri House of Representatives, and is represented by Christopher Warwick (R-Bolivar), who was elected in 2024. 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 Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end

All of Polk County is a part of Missouri's 28th district in the Missouri Senate, which is currently held by Republican Sandy Crawford. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end

Federal

[edit]

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 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

All of Polk county is included in Missouri's 4th congressional district and is currently represented by Mark Alford (R-Lake Winnebago) 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

[edit]

Polk County has been a Republican Party stronghold for most of its history at the presidential level. In only four presidential elections from 1896 to the present has a Democratic Party candidate carried the county, the most recent being Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

United States presidential election results for Polk County, Missouri[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 2,100 48.97% 1,794 41.84% 394 9.19%
1892 1,918 45.98% 1,211 29.03% 1,042 24.98%
1896 2,564 48.32% 2,711 51.09% 31 0.58%
1900 2,679 53.59% 2,178 43.57% 142 2.84%
1904 2,659 56.88% 1,807 38.65% 209 4.47%
1908 2,670 54.43% 2,139 43.61% 96 1.96%
1912 1,802 39.04% 1,935 41.92% 879 19.04%
1916 2,613 53.79% 2,149 44.24% 96 1.98%
1920 4,967 62.82% 2,847 36.01% 93 1.18%
1924 4,097 56.19% 3,033 41.60% 161 2.21%
1928 5,307 69.63% 2,303 30.22% 12 0.16%
1932 3,811 46.40% 4,355 53.03% 47 0.57%
1936 5,126 56.65% 3,899 43.09% 23 0.25%
1940 5,534 61.98% 3,380 37.86% 14 0.16%
1944 5,040 66.45% 2,527 33.32% 18 0.24%
1948 4,026 56.65% 3,079 43.32% 2 0.03%
1952 5,263 67.81% 2,474 31.88% 24 0.31%
1956 4,410 59.77% 2,968 40.23% 0 0.00%
1960 4,849 66.52% 2,440 33.48% 0 0.00%
1964 3,288 49.51% 3,353 50.49% 0 0.00%
1968 4,145 59.82% 2,170 31.32% 614 8.86%
1972 5,409 70.67% 2,245 29.33% 0 0.00%
1976 3,893 51.29% 3,663 48.26% 34 0.45%
1980 4,842 57.86% 3,336 39.87% 190 2.27%
1984 5,467 65.98% 2,819 34.02% 0 0.00%
1988 5,030 59.39% 3,419 40.37% 21 0.25%
1992 3,465 39.94% 3,316 38.22% 1,894 21.83%
1996 4,521 49.74% 3,307 36.38% 1,261 13.87%
2000 6,430 62.46% 3,606 35.03% 258 2.51%
2004 8,586 68.95% 3,775 30.31% 92 0.74%
2008 8,956 65.39% 4,553 33.24% 188 1.37%
2012 9,252 70.52% 3,580 27.29% 287 2.19%
2016 10,438 75.84% 2,631 19.12% 694 5.04%
2020 11,850 78.49% 2,885 19.11% 363 2.40%
2024 12,691 79.78% 2,948 18.53% 269 1.69%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

[edit]
Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 2,317, than any candidate from either party in Polk County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Polk County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Laws of a public and general nature of the State of Missouri passed between the years 1824 & 1836". Missouri Secretary of State. Jefferson City: W. Lusk & Son. 1842. pp. 432–433.
  4. ↑ "History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri." published 1889, Goodspeed Publishing, p. 286.
  5. ↑ "Polk County Classics, a Sesquicentennial Photograph Album, 1835-1985" by George Francis Hooper and James C. Sterling, published 1985, p. 4, "History and Families of Polk County, Missouri", published 2002 by the Polk County Genealogical Society, Inc., p. 8.
  6. ↑ "POLK, James Knox | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives".
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Polk County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  14. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  15. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  16. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  18. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  19. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Missouri".
  20. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  21. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Polk County Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  23. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
[edit]

Template:Adjacent communities

Template:Polk County, Missouri Template:Missouri

Coordinates: 37°37′N 93°24′W / 37.62°N 93.40°W / 37.62; -93.40

Retrieved from "https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Polk_County,_Missouri&oldid=82171"