Vernon County, Missouri

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Template:Infobox U.S. county

Vernon County is a county located in the western region of the U.S. state of Missouri, on the border with Kansas. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,707.[1] Its county seat is Nevada.[2] The county was organized on February 27, 1855, considerably later than counties in the eastern part of the state.[3] It was named for Colonel Miles Vernon (1786–1867), a state senator and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans.[4] This area was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.

History

The county was developed by European Americans for agriculture and is still mostly rural.

Vernon County suffered considerable damage during the American Civil War. Guerrillas and insurgents had waged raids against Union troops and carried out personal vendettas in the county. On May 23, 1863, Union Army soldiers burned the county seat of Nevada, along with the courthouse, in retaliation. The present courthouse was completed in 1907.[5]

Vernon County was one of four Missouri counties that were wholly depopulated by Union General Thomas Ewing Jr.'s General Order No. 11 (1863), which ordered the people evacuated to end support for Confederate guerrillas operating in the area. Most of the residents were not allowed to return to their homes until after the Civil War ended in May 1865.

Geography

File:Wetland boardwalk at Four Rivers Conservation Area in Vernon County, Missouri.jpg
A boardwalk allows visitors to explore a restored wetland at Four Rivers Conservation Area in northern Vernon County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 837 square miles (2,170 km2), of which 826 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.2%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Transit

Demographics

Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

Vernon 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[7] Pop 1990[8] Pop 2000[9] Pop 2010[10] Pop 2020[11] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 19,465 18,703 19,742 20,197 17,966 98.28% 98.22% 96.52% 95.45% 91.17%
Black or African American alone (NH) 37 59 125 100 110 0.19% 0.31% 0.61% 0.47% 0.56%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 103 108 160 141 131 0.52% 0.57% 0.78% 0.67% 0.66%
Asian alone (NH) 86 65 63 103 103 0.43% 0.34% 0.31% 0.49% 0.52%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [12] x [13] 6 8 18 x x 0.03% 0.04% 0.09%
Other race alone (NH) 9 4 12 4 52 0.05% 0.02% 0.06% 0.02% 0.26%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [14] x [15] 174 270 901 x x 0.85% 1.28% 4.57%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 106 102 172 336 426 0.54% 0.54% 0.84% 1.59% 2.16%
Total 19,806 19,041 20,454 21,159 19,707 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 19,707. The median age was 40.1 years; 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.5 males age 18 and over.[16]

There were 7,751 households in the county, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]

There were 8,921 housing units, of which 13.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.3% were owner-occupied and 31.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.8%.[16]

43.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 56.7% lived in rural areas.[17]

The racial makeup of the county was 91.8% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races, with Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprising 2.2% of the population.[18]

Vernon County Racial Composition[18]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 17,966 91.2%
Black or African American (NH) 110 0.56%
Native American (NH) 131 0.66%
Asian (NH) 103 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH) 18 0.1%
Other/Mixed (NH) 953 4.83%
Hispanic or Latino 426 2.16%

2000 census

As of the 2000 census[19], there were 20,454 people, 7,966 households, and 5,432 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 8,872 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.99% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Approximately 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,966 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% 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 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,021, and the median income for a family was $37,714. Males had a median income of $28,182 versus $19,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,047. About 10.10% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

  • Bronaugh R-VII School District – Bronaugh
    • Bronaugh Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Bronaugh High School (07-12)
  • Nevada R-V School District – Nevada
    • Weber Elementary School (PK-02)
    • Truman Elementary School (03-05)
    • Nevada Middle School (06-08)
    • Nevada High School (09-12)

/ Northeast Vernon County R-I School District – Walker

    • Northeast Vernon County Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Northeast Vernon County High School (07-12)
  • Sheldon R-VIII School District – Sheldon
    • Sheldon Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Sheldon High School (07-12)

Private schools

Colleges and universities

Public libraries

  • Nevada Public Library[20]

Communities

Townships

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Former settlements

Politics

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Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Vernon County despite the Democratic Party's historical control. Republicans hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.

Template:Missouri county elected officials

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 79.77% 7,050 18.14% 1,603 2.09% 185
2020 77.01% 7,022 20.72% 1,889 2.27% 207
2016 66.67% 5,699 30.66% 2,621 2.67% 228
2012 52.26% 4,424 44.40% 3,759 3.34% 283
2008 46.54% 4,095 51.05% 4,491 2.41% 212
2004 66.76% 5,989 31.97% 2,868 1.27% 114
2000 52.49% 4,370 45.20% 3,763 2.30% 192
1996 39.90% 3,039 57.27% 4,362 2.84% 216

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 126th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Patricia Pike (R-Adrian). 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 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

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville). 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 end

Federal

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All of Vernon County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) 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 candidate with party link Template:Election box end

Political culture

Like many neighboring counties, Vernon County has become increasingly Republican over the past few presidential elections. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1996 by Bill Clinton.

United States presidential election results for Vernon County, Missouri[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1888 2,252 33.99% 4,057 61.23% 317 4.78%
1892 1,847 29.09% 3,627 57.13% 875 13.78%
1896 2,230 30.03% 5,133 69.12% 63 0.85%
1900 2,356 34.24% 4,306 62.58% 219 3.18%
1904 2,450 40.51% 3,225 53.32% 373 6.17%
1908 2,369 37.48% 3,705 58.61% 247 3.91%
1912 1,654 26.57% 3,483 55.94% 1,089 17.49%
1916 2,211 35.50% 3,776 60.63% 241 3.87%
1920 4,645 45.33% 5,419 52.89% 182 1.78%
1924 3,593 38.89% 4,839 52.38% 807 8.73%
1928 5,783 60.94% 3,676 38.74% 31 0.33%
1932 2,856 29.50% 6,687 69.07% 138 1.43%
1936 4,546 39.61% 6,872 59.87% 60 0.52%
1940 5,443 46.38% 6,271 53.44% 21 0.18%
1944 5,171 51.39% 4,885 48.55% 6 0.06%
1948 3,808 41.55% 5,342 58.29% 14 0.15%
1952 5,924 56.92% 4,450 42.76% 34 0.33%
1956 5,184 53.27% 4,547 46.73% 0 0.00%
1960 5,387 56.27% 4,186 43.73% 0 0.00%
1964 3,077 34.06% 5,958 65.94% 0 0.00%
1968 3,590 45.27% 3,557 44.85% 783 9.87%
1972 4,892 61.54% 3,057 38.46% 0 0.00%
1976 3,715 42.78% 4,921 56.67% 48 0.55%
1980 4,391 51.93% 3,704 43.80% 361 4.27%
1984 5,181 63.45% 2,984 36.55% 0 0.00%
1988 4,149 54.79% 3,402 44.93% 21 0.28%
1992 2,851 34.34% 3,546 42.71% 1,906 22.96%
1996 3,123 40.70% 3,363 43.82% 1,188 15.48%
2000 4,985 59.29% 3,156 37.54% 267 3.18%
2004 5,732 63.75% 3,206 35.65% 54 0.60%
2008 5,334 60.08% 3,381 38.08% 163 1.84%
2012 5,758 67.57% 2,580 30.28% 183 2.15%
2016 6,533 75.69% 1,707 19.78% 391 4.53%
2020 7,155 77.90% 1,903 20.72% 127 1.38%
2024 7,112 79.01% 1,774 19.71% 115 1.28%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

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

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,434, than any candidate from either party in Vernon County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Vernon County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ History of Vernon county, Missouri. St. Louis: Brown & Co. 1887. pp. 194–196.
  4. ↑ "The Nevada Daily Mail". May 11, 1960. p. 8. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ "History". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "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.
  9. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Vernon County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vernon County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vernon County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  13. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  14. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  15. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  17. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  19. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Nevada Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  21. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

Template:Geographic Location

Template:Vernon County, Missouri Template:Missouri

Coordinates: 37°51′N 94°20′W / 37.85°N 94.34°W / 37.85; -94.34

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