Polk County, Missouri

Polk County is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,137.[1] Its county seat is Bolivar.[2] The county was organized January 5, 1835,[3] and named for Ezekiel Polk.

Polk County
U.S. county
Polk County Courthouse in Bolivar
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°37′N 93°24′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedMarch 13, 1835
Named forJames K. Polk
SeatBolivar
Largest cityBolivar
Area
 • Total642 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Land636 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water6.9 sq mi (18 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total31,137
 • Estimate 
(2018)
32,201
 • Density49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th

Polk County is part of the Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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.[4] [5] 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. [6]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.[7]

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.[8]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18408,449—
18506,186−26.8%
18609,99561.6%
187012,44524.5%
188015,73426.4%
189020,33929.3%
190023,25514.3%
191021,561−7.3%
192020,351−5.6%
193017,803−12.5%
194017,400−2.3%
195016,062−7.7%
196013,753−14.4%
197015,41512.1%
198018,82222.1%
199021,82616.0%
200026,99223.7%
201031,13715.4%
2018 (est.)32,201[9]3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 26,992 people, 9,917 households, and 7,140 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16/km2). There were 11,183 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/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

Public libraries
  • Polk County Public Library[15]

Politics

Local

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

Polk County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Carolyn Page Republican
Circuit Clerk Tiffany Phillips Republican
County Clerk Melinda Robertson Republican
Collector Debbi R-McGinnis Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Shannon Hancock Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Kyle Legan Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Rex Austin Republican
Coroner Melissa Britton Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Kenneth R. Ashlock Republican
Public Administrator Barbara Davolt Republican
Recorder Carol Poindexter Republican
Sheriff Danny Morrison Republican
Surveyor Mike Shuler Republican
Treasurer Vonna Bauer Republican

State
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
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 Mike Stephens (R-Bolivar).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 128 — Polk County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Stephens 11,500 85.48% -14.52
Independent Janet Sheffield 1,953 14.52% +14.52
Missouri House of Representatives — District 128 — Polk County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sue Entichler 5,903 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 128 — Polk County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sue Entlicher 11,744 100.00%

All of Polk County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the Missouri Senate, which is currently vacant. The previous incumbent, Mike Parson, was elected Missouri Lieutenant Governor in November 2016.

Missouri Senate — District 28 — Polk County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Parson 5,832 100.00%

Federal
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Polk County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 9,693 69.93% +17.50
Democratic Jason Kander 3,605 26.01% -14.35
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 327 2.36% -4.85
Green Johnathan McFarland 107 0.77% +0.77
Constitution Fred Ryman 129 0.93% +0.93
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Polk County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 6,789 52.43%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 5,226 40.36%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 933 7.21%

All of Polk county is included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Billy Long (R-Springfield) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Polk County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Long 10,170 74.34% +6.06
Democratic Genevieve Williams 2,880 21.05% -2.42
Libertarian Benjamin T. Brixey 630 4.61% -3.64
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 7th Congressional District — Polk County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Long 4,442 68.28% +1.25
Democratic Jim Evans 1,527 23.47% -4.21
Libertarian Kevin Craig 537 8.25% +2.95
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 7th Congressional District — Polk County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Billy Long 8,631 67.03%
Democratic Jim Evans 3,564 27.68%
Libertarian Kevin Craig 682 5.30%

Political culture

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.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 75.8% 10,438 19.1% 2,631 5.0% 694
2012 70.5% 9,252 27.3% 3,580 2.2% 287
2008 65.4% 8,956 33.2% 4,553 1.4% 188
2004 69.0% 8,586 30.3% 3,775 0.7% 92
2000 62.5% 6,430 35.0% 3,606 2.5% 258
1996 49.7% 4,521 36.4% 3,307 13.9% 1,261
1992 39.9% 3,465 38.2% 3,316 21.8% 1,894
1988 59.4% 5,030 40.4% 3,419 0.3% 21
1984 66.0% 5,467 34.0% 2,819
1980 57.9% 4,842 39.9% 3,336 2.3% 190
1976 51.3% 3,893 48.3% 3,663 0.5% 34
1972 70.7% 5,409 29.3% 2,245
1968 59.8% 4,145 31.3% 2,170 8.9% 614
1964 49.5% 3,288 50.5% 3,353
1960 66.5% 4,849 33.5% 2,440
1956 59.8% 4,410 40.2% 2,968
1952 67.8% 5,263 31.9% 2,474 0.3% 24
1948 56.7% 4,026 43.3% 3,079 0.0% 2
1944 66.5% 5,040 33.3% 2,527 0.2% 18
1940 62.0% 5,534 37.9% 3,380 0.2% 14
1936 56.7% 5,126 43.1% 3,899 0.3% 23
1932 46.4% 3,811 53.0% 4,355 0.6% 47
1928 69.6% 5,307 30.2% 2,303 0.2% 12
1924 56.2% 4,097 41.6% 3,033 2.2% 161
1920 62.8% 4,967 36.0% 2,847 1.2% 93
1916 53.8% 2,613 44.2% 2,149 2.0% 96
1912 39.0% 1,802 41.9% 1,935 19.0% 879
1908 54.4% 2,670 43.6% 2,139 2.0% 96
1904 56.9% 2,659 38.7% 1,807 4.5% 209
1900 53.6% 2,679 43.6% 2,178 2.8% 142
1896 48.3% 2,564 51.1% 2,711 0.6% 31
1892 46.0% 1,918 29.0% 1,211 25.0% 1,042
1888 49.0% 2,100 41.8% 1,794 9.2% 394

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
Polk County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain1,141 (25.28%)
Mike Huckabee2,317 (51.33%)
Mitt Romney842 (18.65%)
Ron Paul154 (3.41%)
Polk County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Clinton1,904 (63.81%)
Barack Obama993 (33.28%)
John Edwards (withdrawn)67 (2.25%)

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.

Media

The Bolivar Herald-Free Press is published twice weekly.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Polk County is divided into 22 townships:

See also
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk County, Missouri

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Laws of a public and general nature of the State of Missouri passed between the years 1824 & 1836" Volume II, published 1842, pg. 432-433 https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/molaws/id/42050/rec/3
  4. Laws of a public and general nature of the State of Missouri passed between the years 1824 & 1836" Volume II, published 1842, pg. 432-433 https://mdh.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/molaws/id/42050/rec/3
  5. "History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri." published 1889, Goodspeed Publishing, page 286
  6. “Polk County Classics, a Sesquicentennial Photograph Album, 1835-1985” by George Francis Hooper and James C. Sterling, published 1985, page 4 “History and Families of Polk County, Missouri” published 2002 by the Polk County Genealogical Society, Inc. page 8
  7. https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/P/POLK,-James-Knox-(P000409)/
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. Breeding, Marshall. "Polk County Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-26.

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