Clark County, Missouri

Not to be confused with Clark, Missouri.

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 6,634.^[1] Its county seat is Kahoka.^[2] The county was organized December 16, 1836, and named for William Clark, leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and later Governor of Missouri Territory.^[3][4]

Clark County
County
Clark County Courthouse in Kahoka
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°25′N 91°44′W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Founded	December 16, 1836
Named for	William Clark
Seat	Kahoka
Largest city	Kahoka
Area
• Total	512 sq mi (1,330 km2)
• Land	505 sq mi (1,310 km2)
• Water	7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  1.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,634
• Density	13/sq mi (5.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	6th

The Clark County, Missouri courthouse as it appeared circa 1878.

Clark County Courthouse in 2007. It was demolished in 2010 despite being on the National Register of Historic Places.

Clark County is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-IL-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Missouri folklorist Margot Ford McMillen wrote that early settlers were attracted by Clark County's good and inexpensive agricultural land. One section was called "Bit Nation" because land was sold there for just twelve and one-half cents ("one bit" of a Spanish dollar) an acre.^[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 512 square miles (1,330 km²), of which 505 square miles (1,310 km²) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km²) (1.4%) is water.^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Van Buren County, Iowa (north)
• Lee County, Iowa (northeast)
• Hancock County, Illinois (east)
• Lewis County (south)
• Knox County (southwest)
• Scotland County (west)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 61
• U.S. Route 136
• Route 27
• Route 81

National protected area

• Great River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	2,846		—
1850	5,527		94.2%
1860	11,684		111.4%
1870	13,667		17.0%
1880	15,031		10.0%
1890	15,126		0.6%
1900	15,383		1.7%
1910	12,811		−16.7%
1920	11,874		−7.3%
1930	10,254		−13.6%
1940	10,166		−0.9%
1950	9,003		−11.4%
1960	8,725		−3.1%
1970	8,260		−5.3%
1980	8,493		2.8%
1990	7,547		−11.1%
2000	7,416		−1.7%
2010	7,139		−3.7%
2020	6,634		−7.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census^[11] of 2010, there were 7,139 people, 2,966 households, and 2,079 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km²). There were 3,483 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.83% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Approximately 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,966 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,457, and the median income for a family was $36,270. Males had a median income of $27,279 versus $19,917 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,988. About 10.80% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Clark County Racial Composition^[12]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	6,337	95.52%
Black or African American (NH)	21	0.32%
Native American (NH)	9	0.14%
Asian (NH)	12	0.2%
Pacific Islander (NH)	0	0%
Other/Mixed (NH)	205	3.1%
Hispanic or Latino	50	0.75%

Education

Public schools

• Clark County R-I School District – Kahoka
  • Running Fox Elementary School (PK-05)
  • Black Hawk Elementary School (K-05)
  • Clark County Middle School (06-08)
  • Clark County High School (09-12)

Private schools

• Shiloh Christian School – Kahoka (03-12) – Nondenominational Christianity

Public libraries

• Northeast Missouri Library Service^[13]

Communities

Cities

• Alexandria
• Kahoka (county seat)
• Revere
• Wayland
• Wyaconda

Villages

• Luray

Census-designated places

• Medill
• St. Francisville

Other unincorporated places

• Acasto
• Anson
• Antioch
• Ashton
• Athens
• Chambersburg
• Clark City
• Dumas
• Fairmont
• Gregory Landing
• Neeper
• Peaksville
• St. Patrick
• Union
• Waterloo
• Winchester

Townships (all inactive)

• Clay
• Des Moines
• Folker
• Grant
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Lincoln
• Madison
• Sweet Home
• Union
• Vernon
• Washington
• Wyaconda

Politics

Local

The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Clark County. As of 2018, Republicans hold nine of fourteen of the elected positions in the county.

Clark County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Donna F. Oilar	Democratic
Circuit Clerk	Mary D. Jones	Democratic
County Clerk	Leih Ann Hayden	Republican
Collector	Michelle Allen	Republican
Commissioner (Presiding)	Ron Brewer	Republican
Commissioner (District 1)	Jerry Neyens	Democratic
Commissioner (District 2)	Roger Sedore	Democratic
Coroner	Edwin Wilson	Republican
Prosecuting Attorney	John Moon	Democratic
Public Administrator	Linda Shoup	Republican
Recorder	Mary D. Jones	Democratic
Sheriff	Paul Gaudette	Republican
Surveyor	Patrick Poepping	Republican
Treasurer	Roberta McAfee	Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Election Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	79.09% 2,667	19.22% 648	1.69% 57
2016	62.34% 2,053	34.74% 1,144	2.92% 96
2012	40.78% 1,312	56.64% 1,822	2.58% 83
2008	51.33% 1,772	46.00% 1,588	1.67% 92
2004	66.98% 2,469	30.63% 1,129	2.38% 88
2000	46.47% 1,751	51.17% 1,928	2.36% 89
1996	29.87% 966	68.46% 2,214	1.67% 54

All of Clark County is included in Missouri's 4th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Craig Redmon (R-Ewing).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 4 — Clark County

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Greg Sharpe

Missouri House of Representatives — District 4 — Clark County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Craig Redmon	1,794	100.00%

Missouri House of Representatives — District 4 — Clark County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Craig Redmon	2.582	100.00%

All of Clark County is a part of Missouri's 18th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Cindy O'Laughlin (R-Shelbina).

Missouri Senate — District 18 — Clark County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Brian Munzlinger	1,837	100.00%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Clark County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Roy Blunt	2,037	62.16%	+22.17
	Democratic	Jason Kander	1,059	32.32%	−23.90
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	98	2.99%	−0.80
	Green	Johnathan McFarland	40	1.22%	+1.22
	Constitution	Fred Ryman	43	1.31%	+1.31

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Clark County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Todd Akin	1.288	39.99%
	Democratic	Claire McCaskill	1,811	56.22%
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	122	3.79%

All of Clark County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Clark County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sam Graves	2,413	75.24%	+3.79
	Democratic	David M. Blackwell	673	20.99%	−4.49
	Libertarian	Russ Lee Monchil	68	2.12%	−0.95
	Green	Mike Diel	53	1.65%	+1.65

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Clark County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sam Graves	1,464	71.45%	+13.75
	Democratic	Bill Hedge	522	25.48%	−13.91
	Libertarian	Russ Lee Monchil	63	3.07%	+0.16

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Clark County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Sam Graves	1,746	57.70%
	Democratic	Kyle Yarber	1,192	39.39%
	Libertarian	Russ Lee Monchil	88	2.91%

United States presidential election results for Clark County, Missouri^[14]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	2,672	78.73%	678	19.98%	44	1.30%
2016	2,458	74.13%	724	21.83%	134	4.04%
2012	1,730	53.64%	1,398	43.35%	97	3.01%
2008	1,782	51.56%	1,572	45.49%	102	2.95%
2004	1,899	50.83%	1,794	48.02%	43	1.15%
2000	1,899	49.95%	1,812	47.66%	91	2.39%
1996	1,081	32.63%	1,749	52.79%	483	14.58%
1992	1,039	28.99%	1,815	50.64%	730	20.37%
1988	1,493	43.52%	1,925	56.11%	13	0.38%
1984	2,068	55.97%	1,627	44.03%	0	0.00%
1980	2,042	56.50%	1,494	41.34%	78	2.16%
1976	1,582	48.32%	1,679	51.28%	13	0.40%
1972	2,499	64.04%	1,403	35.96%	0	0.00%
1968	2,111	53.55%	1,489	37.77%	342	8.68%
1964	1,660	42.75%	2,223	57.25%	0	0.00%
1960	2,642	56.44%	2,039	43.56%	0	0.00%
1956	2,623	54.46%	2,193	45.54%	0	0.00%
1952	2,850	57.95%	2,045	41.58%	23	0.47%
1948	2,264	49.01%	2,352	50.92%	3	0.06%
1944	2,707	55.61%	2,155	44.27%	6	0.12%
1940	3,171	53.59%	2,728	46.10%	18	0.30%
1936	2,812	48.15%	3,003	51.42%	25	0.43%
1932	2,223	41.75%	3,072	57.70%	29	0.54%
1928	3,259	59.83%	2,170	39.84%	18	0.33%
1924	2,948	50.37%	2,770	47.33%	135	2.31%
1920	3,310	57.46%	2,383	41.36%	68	1.18%
1916	1,782	50.68%	1,692	48.12%	42	1.19%
1912	1,214	36.53%	1,586	47.73%	523	15.74%
1908	1,741	49.52%	1,737	49.40%	38	1.08%
1904	1,836	50.50%	1,724	47.41%	76	2.09%
1900	1,899	47.70%	2,021	50.77%	61	1.53%
1896	1,953	47.89%	2,107	51.67%	18	0.44%
1892	1,684	47.48%	1,807	50.94%	56	1.58%
1888	1,724	48.54%	1,791	50.42%	37	1.04%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Clark County, Missouri

References

1. "2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 275.
4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 82.
5. McMillen, Margot Ford (1994). Paris, Tightwad and Peculiar: Missouri Place Names. Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Press. p. 46. ISBN 0-8262-0972-6.
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clark County, Missouri".
13. Breeding, Marshall. "Northeast Missouri Library Service". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

External links

• "Guide to Clark County Missouri" records
• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Clark County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

40.41°N 91.74°W / 40.41; -91.74