Saline County, Missouri

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Template:Infobox U.S. county

Saline County is a county located along the Missouri River in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,333.[1] Its county seat is Marshall.[2] The county was established November 25, 1820, and named for the region's salt springs.

Settled primarily by migrants from the Upper South during the nineteenth century, this county was in the region bordering the Missouri River known as "Little Dixie". In the antebellum years, it had many plantations operated with the forced labor of enslaved workers. One-third of the county population was African American at the start of the American Civil War, but their proportion of the residents has declined dramatically to little more than five percent.

Saline County comprises the Marshall, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Saline County was occupied for thousands of years by succeeding cultures of Missouri Native Americans. Saline County was organized by European-American settlers on November 25, 1820, and was named from the salinity of the springs found in the region.[3] After periods of conflict as settlers competed for resources and encroached on their territory, the local Native Americans, including the Osage nation, were forced by the U.S. government to move to reservations in Indian Territory, first in Kansas and then in Oklahoma.

Saline County was among several along the Missouri River that were settled primarily by migrants from the Upper South states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The settlers quickly started cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco; they had brought enslaved people with them to central Missouri, or purchased them from slave traders. These counties settled by southerners became known as "Little Dixie." By the time of the Civil War, one-third of the county population was African American; most of them were enslaved laborers on major plantations, particularly for labor-intensive tobacco cultivation. In 1847 the state legislature had prohibited any African Americans from being educated.

After the war, freedmen and poor white residents were hungry for education. The state's new constitution established public education for all citizens for the first time.[4] It was segregated, in keeping with local custom. Each township with 20 or more African-American students were supposed to establish a school for them, but rural areas lagged in the number of schools and jurisdictions underfunded those for blacks. By the early 20th century, Saline County had eighteen schools for black students.[5] The remaining black schools from the Jim Crow era have been studied by the State Historic Preservation Office and many are being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 767 square miles (1,990 km2), of which 756 square miles (1,960 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.5%) is water.[6] Its northern border is the Missouri River where it is increased by the confluence of the Grand River.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

The largely rural county reached its peak of population in 1930, and has slowly declined since then since mechanization of farming has meant that fewer workers are needed; from about 1910 to the 1970s, African Americans often moved to larger urban areas for work and better social conditions.

Template:US Census population

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 23,333. The median age was 36.9 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.7 males age 18 and over.[7]

The racial makeup of the county was 77.1% White, 5.0% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% Asian, 1.8% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.0% from some other race, and 6.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 12.1% of the population. A more detailed non-Hispanic breakdown appears in the table below.[8]

57.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 42.3% lived in rural areas.[9]

There were 8,469 households in the county, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[7]

There were 9,836 housing units, of which 13.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.6% were owner-occupied and 32.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.4%.[7]

Saline 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[10] Pop 1990[11] Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 23,455 21,862 20,923 19,441 17,473 94.12% 92.94% 88.07% 83.19% 74.89%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,235 1,342 1,268 1,217 1,149 4.96% 5.71% 5.34% 5.21% 4.92%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 31 45 47 49 68 0.12% 0.19% 0.20% 0.21% 0.29%
Asian alone (NH) 48 55 82 123 175 0.19% 0.23% 0.35% 0.53% 0.75%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [15] x [16] 49 152 397 x x 0.21% 0.65% 1.70%
Other race alone (NH) 13 11 14 21 233 0.05% 0.05% 0.06% 0.09% 1.00%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [17] x [18] 323 442 1,008 x x 1.36% 1.89% 4.32%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 137 208 1,050 1,925 2,830 0.55% 0.88% 4.42% 8.24% 12.13%
Total 24,919 23,523 23,756 23,370 23,333 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[19] there were 23,756 people, 9,015 households and 6,013 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 10,019 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.03% White, 5.39% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 2.09% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Approximately 4.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.7% were of German, 18.2% American, 9.8% English and 9.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 9,015 households, of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.90% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 28.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.97.

In Age distribution was 24.30% under the age of 18, 12.00% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median household income was $32,743, and the median family income was $39,234. Males had a median income of $27,180 versus $19,431 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,132. About 10.50% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

K-12 school districts include:[20]

Elementary-only school districts include:[20]

Private schools

Post-secondary

Metropolitan Community College has the Santa Fe school district area in its out of district service area, but not its in-district taxation area.[21]

Public libraries

  • Marshall Public Library[22]
  • Slater Public Library[23]
  • Sweet Springs Public Library[24]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Government and politics

Local

The Democratic Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Saline County. Democrats hold all but four of the elected positions in the county.

Template:Missouri county elected officials

State

Gubernatorial

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 69.67% 6,433 28.06% 2,591 2.27% 210
2020 67.86% 6,443 29.83% 2,832 2.31% 219
2016 53.01% 4,901 43.30% 4,004 3.69% 341
2012 38.46% 3,489 58.15% 5,275 3.38% 307
2008 32.80% 3,195 56.87% 5,540 10.34% 1,007
2004 47.46% 4,691 51.30% 5,071 1.24% 123
2000 42.23% 3,945 56.14% 5,245 1.63% 152
1996 26.11% 2,315 71.45% 6,334 2.44% 216

Missouri House of Representatives

Saline County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both represented by Republicans.

  • District 48 — Dave Muntzel (R-Boonville). Consists of the communities of Arrow Rock, Gilliam, Miami, Nelson, and Slater.

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  • District 51 — Dean Dohrman (R-La Monte). Consists of the communities of Blackburn, Emma, Grand Pass, Malta Bend, Marshall, Mt. Leonard, and Sweet Springs.

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Missouri Senate

All of Saline County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg). 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

Federal

US Senate

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US House of Representatives

All of Saline County is included in Missouri's 5th Congressional District, which is represented by Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Presidential

United States presidential election results for Saline County, Missouri[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 2,684 36.65% 4,386 59.89% 253 3.45%
1892 2,622 33.31% 4,565 57.99% 685 8.70%
1896 3,050 34.85% 5,615 64.16% 87 0.99%
1900 2,814 35.91% 4,901 62.54% 121 1.54%
1904 2,805 42.08% 3,710 55.66% 151 2.27%
1908 2,926 40.73% 4,189 58.31% 69 0.96%
1912 1,443 20.94% 3,929 57.01% 1,520 22.05%
1916 2,966 39.21% 4,503 59.53% 95 1.26%
1920 5,613 43.81% 7,114 55.53% 85 0.66%
1924 4,990 41.15% 6,564 54.14% 571 4.71%
1928 6,780 51.98% 6,251 47.92% 13 0.10%
1932 3,783 30.89% 8,389 68.51% 73 0.60%
1936 6,108 41.34% 8,622 58.35% 46 0.31%
1940 7,336 47.79% 7,988 52.03% 28 0.18%
1944 6,022 47.22% 6,715 52.65% 16 0.13%
1948 4,822 40.09% 7,185 59.73% 22 0.18%
1952 6,926 52.19% 6,318 47.61% 27 0.20%
1956 5,970 50.55% 5,841 49.45% 0 0.00%
1960 6,085 50.48% 5,969 49.52% 0 0.00%
1964 3,635 33.22% 7,308 66.78% 0 0.00%
1968 4,698 46.76% 4,646 46.24% 704 7.01%
1972 6,641 65.75% 3,460 34.25% 0 0.00%
1976 4,883 45.03% 5,890 54.31% 72 0.66%
1980 5,218 49.34% 4,943 46.74% 415 3.92%
1984 6,042 58.53% 4,281 41.47% 0 0.00%
1988 4,625 47.70% 5,039 51.97% 32 0.33%
1992 2,688 26.44% 4,643 45.67% 2,835 27.89%
1996 2,931 33.10% 4,765 53.82% 1,158 13.08%
2000 4,572 48.87% 4,585 49.01% 198 2.12%
2004 5,389 54.22% 4,479 45.06% 71 0.71%
2008 4,962 50.39% 4,712 47.85% 174 1.77%
2012 5,104 56.04% 3,790 41.61% 214 2.35%
2016 5,977 64.45% 2,789 30.07% 508 5.48%
2020 6,451 67.67% 2,904 30.46% 178 1.87%
2024 6,498 69.65% 2,726 29.22% 106 1.14%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Saline County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 361.
  4. ↑ Robert Brigham, The Education of the Negro in Missouri, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Missouri- Columbia, 1946, p. 83
  5. ↑ Rural and Small Town Schools in Missouri, Dept. of Natural Resources, State Historic Preservation Officer, 2002, p. 10, accessed March 15, 2015
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  8. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  9. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 13-63.
  12. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Saline County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Saline County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Saline County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  16. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  17. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  19. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Geography Division (January 12, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Saline County, MO (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 14, 2024. - Text list
  21. ↑ "MCC SERVICE AREAS" (PDF). Metropolitan Community College. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  22. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Marshall Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  23. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Slater Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  24. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Sweet Springs Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  25. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

Further reading

Template:Geographic Location

Template:Saline County, Missouri Template:Missouri

Coordinates: 39°08′N 93°12′W / 39.14°N 93.20°W / 39.14; -93.20

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