Washington County, Missouri

County in Missouri, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Washington County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 23,514.[1] The county seat and largest city is Potosi.[2] The county was officially organized on August 21, 1813, and was named in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States.[3]

Country United States
FoundedAugust 21, 1813
Quick facts Country, State ...
Washington County, Missouri
The Washington County Courthouse in Potosi
The Washington County Courthouse in Potosi
Map of Missouri highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Coordinates: 37°58′N 90°53′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedAugust 21, 1813
Named afterPresident George Washington
SeatPotosi
Largest cityPotosi
Area
  Total
762 sq mi (1,970 km2)
  Land760 sq mi (2,000 km2)
  Water2.6 sq mi (6.7 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
23,514
  Estimate 
(2025)
23,810 Increase
  Density31/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.washingtoncountymo.us
Close

History

The French explorers Renault and La Motte entered the area of present-day Potosi in 1722–23. However, no permanent settlements were made until 1763, when François Breton settled near Potosi and began to operate a mine bearing his name. The Bellview Valley, near Caledonia and Belgrade, was settled in 1802 by the families of William and Helen Watson Reed, their sons, Robert, Joseph, and Thomas Reed, William Reed's brother and nephew, Joseph and William Reed, Annanias McCoy, and Benjamin Crow. Washington County was officially organized on August 21, 1813, out of Ste. Genevieve County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 762 square miles (1,970 km2), of which 760 square miles (2,000 km2) is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

More information Census, Pop. ...
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18202,769
18306,784145.0%
18407,2136.3%
18508,81122.2%
18609,72310.4%
187011,71920.5%
188012,89610.0%
189013,1532.0%
190014,2638.4%
191013,378−6.2%
192013,8033.2%
193014,4504.7%
194017,49221.1%
195014,689−16.0%
196014,346−2.3%
197015,0865.2%
198017,98319.2%
199020,38013.3%
200023,34414.5%
201025,1957.9%
202023,514−6.7%
2025 (est.)23,810[5] Increase1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[10] 2020
Close

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 23,514. The median age was 42.2 years, with 22.2% of residents under the age of 18 and 17.7% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 107.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 109.5 males.[11]

The racial makeup of the county was 91.3% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.0% of the population.[12]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 8,919 households in the county, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 10,719 housing units, of which 16.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.1% were owner-occupied and 22.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%.[11]

More information Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic), Pop 1980 ...
Washington 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[14] Pop 1990[15] Pop 2000[16] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 17,733 19,863 22,159 23,969 21,378 98.61% 97.46% 94.92% 95.13% 90.92%
Black or African American alone (NH) 107 378 577 554 610 0.60% 1.85% 2.47% 2.20% 2.59%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 33 40 149 95 78 0.18% 0.20% 0.64% 0.38% 0.33%
Asian alone (NH) 22 12 35 48 40 0.12% 0.06% 0.15% 0.19% 0.17%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [19] x [20] 2 5 1 x x 0.01% 0.02% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 13 4 9 8 53 0.07% 0.02% 0.04% 0.03% 0.23%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [21] x [22] 243 261 1,127 x x 1.04% 1.04% 4.79%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 75 83 170 255 227 0.42% 0.41% 0.73% 1.01% 0.97%
Total 17,983 20,380 23,344 25,195 23,514 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
Close

2000 census

More information Largest ancestries (2000), Percent ...
Largest ancestries (2000)Percent
American United States19.8%
French France 15.6%
German Germany10.4%
Irish Republic of Ireland9.6%
English England5.9%
Close

As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 23,344 people, 8,406 households, and 6,237 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 inhabitants per square mile (12/km2). There were 9,894 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.47% White, 2.48% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Approximately 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,406 households, out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 106.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,001, and the median income for a family was $38,193. Males had a median income of $27,871 versus $18,206 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,095. About 17.10% of families and 20.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or older.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Washington County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Washington County who adhere to a religion are Roman Catholics (36.73%), Southern Baptists (21.74%), and Baptist Missionary Association of America (16.86%).

Politics

Local

Republicans hold a sizeable majority of the elected positions in the county.

Quick facts Elected countywide officials, Assessor ...
Washington County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Heather Eckhoff Republican
Circuit Clerk Ashley Gum Republican
County Clerk Jeannette Allen Republican
Collector Kris Richards Republican
Commissioner
(presiding)
David Sansegraw[24] Republican
Commissioner
(district 1)
Doug Short Republican
Commissioner
(district 2)
Code Brinley Republican
Coroner Steven Hatfield Republican
Prosecuting Attorney John Jones Republican
Public Administrator Judy Gillam Republican
Recorder Jamie Miner Republican
Sheriff Dwayne S. Reed Republican
Surveyor R. Timothy Daugherty Democratic
Treasurer Phyllis Long Republican
Close

State

Washington County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives.

  • District 118 – Currently represented by Mike McGirl (R-Potosi) and consists of the northeastern part of the county and includes Cadet, Mineral Point, Old Mines, Richwoods, Tiff, and part of Potosi.
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2020)[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike McGirl 4,757 100.00%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Harris 3,955 100.00% +53.95
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Harris 1,316 46.05% −53.95
Republican Michael P. McGirl 1,542 53.95% +53.95
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Harris 3,783 100.00%
Close
  • District 119 – Currently represented by Nate Tate (R-St. Clair). Consists of the northwestern part of the county, including Pea Ridge.
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2020)[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Tate 535 98.35%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Tate 495 100.00% +35.35
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Hinson 193 65.65% −35.35
Democratic Susan J. Cunningham 101 35.35% +35.35
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Hinson 447 100.00%
Close
  • District 144 – Currently represented by Chris Dinkins (R-Annapolis). Consists of the southern parts of the county including Belgrade, Caledonia, Courtois, Hopewell, Irondale, and part of Potosi.
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2020)[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chris Dinkins 3,335 98.73%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Special Election - Washington County (2018)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chris Dinkins 131 70.81%
Democratic Jim Scaggs 53 29.29%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Fitzwater 3,177 100.00%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Fitzwater 1,837 100.00% −23.43
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Fitzwater 2,617 76.57%
Democratic Michael L. Jackson 801 23.43%
Close

All of Washington County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Elaine Gannon (R-De Soto).

More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri Senate – District 3 – Washington County (2020)[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Elaine Freeman Gannono 8,440 98.60%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri Senate – District 3 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gary Romine 7,071 83.11% +25.35
Green Edward R. Weissler 1,437 16.89% +16.89
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Missouri Senate – District 3 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gary Romine 4,905 57.76%
Democratic Joseph Fallert Jr. 3,587 42.24%
Close
More information Year, Republican ...
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 79.89% 7,999 17.69% 1,771 2.43% 243
2020 75.34% 7,442 21.47% 2,121 3.19% 315
2016 61.34% 5,681 33.91% 3,141 4.75% 440
2012 42.25% 3,697 55.12% 4,823 2.63% 230
2008 31.08% 2,993 67.05% 6,456 1.87% 180
2004 50.37% 4,622 47.87% 4,393 1.76% 162
2000 42.93% 3,536 49.90% 4,110 7.17% 591
1996 39.69% 3,097 57.77% 4,508 2.54% 198
1992 39.60% 3,049 60.40% 4,851 0.00% 0
1988 57.19% 3,978 42.64% 2,966 0.17% 12
1984 51.46% 3,460 48.54% 3,264 0.00% 0
1980 50.52% 3,278 49.35% 3,202 0.12% 8
1976 47.00% 2,855 52.84% 3,210 0.16% 10
Close

Federal

More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. Senate – Missouri – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 5,083 55.41% +15.32
Democratic Jason Kander 3,516 38.33% −15.13
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 269 2.93% −3.52
Green Johnathan McFarland 179 1.95% +1.95
Constitution Fred Ryman 126 1.37% +1.37
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. Senate – Missouri – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 3,486 40.09%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 4,648 53.46%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 561 6.45%
Close

Washington County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason T. Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.

More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2020)[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 7,473 77.68%
Democratic Kathy Ellis 1,915 19.91%
Libertarian Tom Schmitz 219 2.28%
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 6,186 69.70% +10.33
Democratic Dave Cowell 2,424 27.31% −5.81
Libertarian Jonathan Shell 265 2.99% +0.83
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 2,990 59.37% −5.99
Democratic Barbara Stocker 1,668 33.12% +1.33
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 109 2.16% +1.09
Constitution Doug Enyart 113 2.24% +0.72
Independent Terry Hampton 156 3.10% +3.10
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Special Election – Washington County (2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 732 65.36% −2.73
Democratic Steve Hodges 356 31.79% +2.66
Libertarian Bill Slantz 12 1.07% −1.71
Constitution Doug Enyart 17 1.52% +1.52
Write-In Wayne L. Byington 3 0.27% +0.27
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson 5,868 68.09%
Democratic Jack Rushin 2,510 29.13%
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 240 2.78%
Close

Political culture

Washington County is one of only two counties, alongside Webster County, West Virginia, to be carried by Barack Obama in 2008 and still give Donald Trump over 80% of the vote in 2020.

More information Year, Republican ...
United States presidential election results for Washington County, Missouri[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
1888 1,222 47.73% 1,336 52.19% 2 0.08%
1892 1,200 47.54% 1,303 51.62% 21 0.83%
1896 1,547 51.41% 1,458 48.45% 4 0.13%
1900 1,751 53.60% 1,500 45.91% 16 0.49%
1904 1,673 54.64% 1,339 43.73% 50 1.63%
1908 1,753 56.11% 1,330 42.57% 41 1.31%
1912 1,059 41.27% 1,121 43.69% 386 15.04%
1916 1,657 53.80% 1,394 45.26% 29 0.94%
1920 2,618 58.36% 1,837 40.95% 31 0.69%
1924 2,397 54.42% 1,955 44.38% 53 1.20%
1928 3,019 58.96% 2,091 40.84% 10 0.20%
1932 2,246 40.40% 3,275 58.91% 38 0.68%
1936 2,909 49.29% 2,942 49.85% 51 0.86%
1940 3,817 56.92% 2,881 42.96% 8 0.12%
1944 2,900 58.30% 2,065 41.52% 9 0.18%
1948 2,200 47.98% 2,370 51.69% 15 0.33%
1952 3,338 55.33% 2,684 44.49% 11 0.18%
1956 3,383 58.70% 2,380 41.30% 0 0.00%
1960 3,437 56.47% 2,649 43.53% 0 0.00%
1964 2,286 36.91% 3,908 63.09% 0 0.00%
1968 2,641 46.26% 2,292 40.15% 776 13.59%
1972 3,818 63.14% 2,229 36.86% 0 0.00%
1976 2,526 41.36% 3,543 58.01% 39 0.64%
1980 3,439 53.19% 2,873 44.44% 153 2.37%
1984 3,755 55.70% 2,987 44.30% 0 0.00%
1988 3,240 46.29% 3,744 53.49% 16 0.23%
1992 2,157 26.93% 4,211 52.57% 1,642 20.50%
1996 2,259 28.78% 4,315 54.97% 1,276 16.25%
2000 4,020 48.64% 4,047 48.97% 198 2.40%
2004 4,641 50.57% 4,459 48.58% 78 0.85%
2008 4,706 48.95% 4,711 49.00% 197 2.05%
2012 5,071 58.32% 3,417 39.30% 207 2.38%
2016 7,048 75.53% 1,926 20.64% 357 3.83%
2020 8,047 80.56% 1,804 18.06% 138 1.38%
2024 8,424 82.03% 1,747 17.01% 99 0.96%
Close

At the presidential level, Washington County was a fairly independent-leaning or battleground county for many years; however, it has voted increasingly more Republican in recent elections. While George W. Bush carried Washington County in 2004, he narrowly lost the county to Al Gore in 2000, and both times the margins of victory were significantly closer than in many of the other rural areas. Bill Clinton also carried Washington County both times in 1992 and 1996 by convincing double-digit margins, and unlike most of the other rural counties in Missouri, Washington County was one of only nine counties in Missouri that favored Barack Obama over John McCain. Obama won Washington County by just five votes in the 2008 election.

Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Washington County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles but are more moderate or populist on economic issues, typical of the Dixiecrat philosophy.[citation needed] In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Washington County with 81.37 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Washington County with 56.48 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Washington County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage.[citation needed] In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Washington County with 81.47 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. In 2018, Washington County rejected Proposition A which would have made Missouri a right-to-work state with 82.1 percent of the vote.

Education

Among adults 25 years of age and older in Washington County, 62.5% possess a high school diploma or higher, while 7.5% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public schools

  • Kingston K-XIV School District – Cadet
    • Kingston Elementary School (PK-05)
    • Kingston Middle School (06-08)
    • Kingston High School (09-12)
  • Potosi R-III School District – Potosi
    • Potosi Pre-School (PK)
    • Potosi Elementary School (PK-03)
    • Trojan Intermediate School (04-06)
    • John A. Evans Middle School (07-08)
    • Potosi High School (09-12)
  • Richwoods R-VII School District – Richwoods
    • Richwoods Elementary School (PK-08)
  • Valley R-VI School District – Caledonia/ Belgrade

Private schools

Colleges and universities

Public libraries

  • Washington County Library[28]

Government and infrastructure

The Potosi Correctional Center of the Missouri Department of Corrections is located in an unincorporated area in the county.[29] The prison houses male death row inmates.[30] 911 services are provided by the Washington County Central Dispatch Center. Major fire departments in the county include those of Potosi, Richwoods, Irondale, Belgrade, and Caledonia. The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the county. Its sheriff is Dwayne S. Reed as of 2025.

Attractions

  • Big River Access – Belgrade
  • Council Bluff Lake – Belgrade
  • Berryman Camp & Trail National Forest – Berryman
  • Bootleg Park Bootleg Access – Caledonia
  • Buford Mountain – Caledonia
  • Hughes Mountain Natural Area – Irondale
  • Bismarck Conservation Area – Bismarck
  • Little Indian Creek Conservation Area – Sullivan
  • Pea Ridge Conservation Area – Sullivan
  • YMCA of the Ozarks – Shirley

Transportation

Primary state highways

Secondary state highways

  • State Route A. Richwoods-Sullivan
  • State Route AA. Shirley
  • State Route BB. Belgrade
  • State Route C. Belgrade-Viburnum
  • State Route CC. Blackwell
  • State Route DD. Belgrade
  • State Route E. Potosi-Cadet-Blackwell
  • State Route EE. Sullivan
  • State Route F. Potosi
  • State Route H. Richwoods-Fletcher
  • State Route JJ. Belgrade
  • State Route M. Irondale
  • State Route N. Sullivan
  • State Route o. Mineral Point
  • State Route P. Belgrade-Potosi
  • State Route T. Richwoods
  • State Route U. Irondale-Mineral Point
  • State Route W. Bourbon
  • State Route WW. Fletcher
  • State Route N. Bourbon
  • State Route Y. Viburnum-Belgrade-Berryman
  • State Route Z. Belgrade

Airports

Railroads

  • Union Pacific Railroad

Communities

See also

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI