Shannon County, Missouri

Shannon County is a county in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,441.[1] Its county seat is Eminence.[2] The county was officially organized on January 29, 1841, and was named in honor of George F. "Peg-Leg" Shannon, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.[3] It is the second-largest county by area in Missouri.

Shannon County
U.S. county
Shannon County courthouse in Eminence
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°10′N 91°24′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedJanuary 29, 1841
Named forGeorge Shannon
SeatEminence
Largest cityWinona
Area
 • Total1,004 sq mi (2,600 km2)
 • Land1,004 sq mi (2,600 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.02%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,441
 • Estimate 
(2018)
8,189
 • Density8.4/sq mi (3.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.shannon-county.com

Missouri's first copper mine was opened in Shannon County in 1846 and Missouri's only manganese mine was opened here during World War II.

As of the 2000 census, Shannon County ranked 78th on the list of counties with the lowest per capita income and 46th on the list of counties with the lowest median household incomes in the United States, making it the poorest county in Missouri.

History

The Great Tri-State Tornado of March 18, 1925 appears to have begun in Moore Township; most likely as constituent tornadoes of a tornado family preceding the infamous very long tack tornado that went on to kill 695 people across southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwestern Indiana over the next several hours.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,004 square miles (2,600 km2), of which 1,004 square miles (2,600 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.02%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18501,199—
18602,28490.5%
18702,3392.4%
18803,44147.1%
18908,898158.6%
190011,24726.4%
191011,4431.7%
192011,8653.7%
193010,894−8.2%
194011,8318.6%
19508,377−29.2%
19607,087−15.4%
19707,1961.5%
19807,8859.6%
19907,613−3.4%
20008,3249.3%
20108,4411.4%
2018 (est.)8,189[6]−3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2015[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 8,324 people, 3,319 households, and 2,356 families residing in the county. The population density was 3/km2 (8/mi2). There were 3,862 housing units at an average density of 1/km2 (4/mi2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.05% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 1.83% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 2.69% from two or more races. Approximately 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Shannon County were 38.3% American, 13.4% Irish, 11.8% German, and 9.7% English.

There were 3,319 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,835, and the median income for a family was $30,102. Males had a median income of $21,917 versus $16,024 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,127. About 21.00% of families and 26.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.10% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Shannon County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Shannon County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (56.22%), Methodists (12.03%), and Christian Churches & Churches of Christ (10.84%).

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Shannon County. Republicans hold seven of the elected positions in the county.

Shannon County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Jimile Voyles Democratic
Circuit Clerk Melany Williams Democratic
County Clerk Shelly Bland Republican
Collector Susie Needels Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Jeff Cowen Democratic
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Dale Counts Democratic
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Herman Kelly Republican
Coroner Samuel Murphy Independent
Prosecuting Attorney Jodie R. Brumble Democratic
Public Administrator Teresa Acord Republican
Recorder Melany Williams Democratic
Sheriff Darrin Brawley Republican
Surveyor Robert Ross Republican
Treasurer Michelle Shedd Republican

State

In the Missouri House of Representatives, all of Shannon County is a part of Missouri's 143rd District and is currently represented by Jeff Pogue, (R- Salem).

Missouri House of Representatives – District 143 – Shannon County (2016)[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeffrey Pogue 3,057 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives – District 143 – Shannon County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeffrey Pogue 1,240 100.00% +55.92
Missouri House of Representatives – District 143 – Shannon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jeffrey Pogue 1,624 44.08%
Democratic Shane Van Steenis 2,060 55.92%

In the Missouri Senate, all of Shannon County is a part of Missouri's 25th District and is currently represented by Doug Libla, (R- Poplar Bluff).

Missouri Senate – District 25 – Shannon County (2016)[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Doug Libla 2,570 69.97% +19.81
Democratic Bill Burlison 1,103 30.03% -19.81
Missouri Senate – District 25 – Shannon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Doug Libla 1,772 50.16%
Democratic Terry Swinger 1,761 49.84%

Federal
U.S. Senate – Missouri – Shannon County (2016)[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 2,436 62.85% +21.38
Democratic Jason Kander 1,234 31.84% -20.40
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 98 2.53% -3.76
Green Johnathan McFarland 53 1.37% +1.37
Constitution Fred Ryman 55 1.42% +1.42
U.S. Senate – Missouri – Shannon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 1,536 41.47%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 1,935 52.24%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 233 6.29%

Shannon 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.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 8th Congressional District – Shannon County (2016}[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 2,865 75.73% +7.23
Democratic Dave Cowell 816 21.57% -0.36
Libertarian Jonathan Shell 102 2.70% +1.06
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 8th Congressional District – Shannon County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 1,131 68.50% +8.92
Democratic Barbara Stocker 362 21.93% -8.63
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 27 1.64% -0.69
Constitution Doug Enyart 43 2.60% -4.93
Independent Terry Hampton 88 5.33% +5.33
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 8th Congressional District – Shannon County (Special Election 2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jason T. Smith 538 59.58% -12.68
Democratic Steve Hodges 276 30.56% +6.91
Constitution Doug Enyart 68 7.53% +7.53
Libertarian Bill Slantz 21 2.33% -1.76
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 8th Congressional District – Shannon County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson 2,652 72.26%
Democratic Jack Rushin 868 23.65%
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 150 4.09%

Political culture
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 81.0% 3,165 18.1% 706 0.9% 35
2016 76.0% 2,966 19.9% 776 4.2% 162
2012 61.3% 2,262 35.3% 1,302 3.5% 128
2008 54.1% 2,075 42.7% 1,637 3.3% 126
2004 60.3% 2,511 38.8% 1,618 0.9% 38
2000 59.4% 2,245 37.8% 1,430 2.8% 106
1996 35.3% 1,339 49.6% 1,882 15.1% 575
1992 31.0% 1,224 54.0% 2,135 15.0% 593
1988 48.5% 1,696 51.3% 1,796 0.2% 8
1984 53.0% 1,779 47.0% 1,580
1980 44.8% 1,523 53.5% 1,818 1.8% 60
1976 33.3% 989 66.0% 1,960 0.7% 22
1972 58.9% 1,623 41.1% 1,134
1968 38.7% 1,048 44.9% 1,216 16.5% 446
1964 28.1% 904 71.9% 2,312
1960 50.8% 1,429 49.2% 1,386
1956 39.1% 1,171 60.9% 1,822
1952 38.8% 1,291 61.0% 2,028 0.2% 8
1948 25.4% 805 74.1% 2,352 0.5% 17
1944 34.5% 1,110 65.1% 2,093 0.3% 11
1940 35.9% 1,589 63.4% 2,806 0.6% 28
1936 28.2% 1,225 70.6% 3,069 1.3% 55
1932 22.4% 879 75.2% 2,949 2.5% 96
1928 44.6% 1,542 54.5% 1,884 0.9% 30
1924 34.4% 1,174 61.7% 2,107 3.9% 134
1920 48.6% 1,639 49.3% 1,661 2.1% 71
1916 36.6% 788 56.3% 1,213 7.1% 153
1912 18.4% 385 53.0% 1,110 28.6% 600
1908 40.9% 849 55.5% 1,151 3.6% 74
1904 39.7% 697 57.3% 1,006 3.1% 54
1900 35.2% 716 62.9% 1,279 1.9% 38
1896 36.7% 689 63.1% 1,186 0.3% 5
1892 34.1% 541 63.3% 1,005 2.7% 43
1888 33.0% 423 64.6% 828 2.3% 30

At the presidential level, Shannon County was a Democratic stronghold from its founding in 1841 through 1996, voting Republican only in 1960, for Nixon over Kennedy, and in Nixon's 1972 and Reagan's 1984 landslides in this period.[14] In 2000, George W. Bush became only the fourth Republican to carry the county, despite narrowly losing the national popular vote, and got a higher vote share than any of the three Republicans to carry the county previously. As of 2020, the county has voted Republican for six straight elections, with the Republican vote share increasing in every election save 2008, when McCain fell six points from Bush's 2004 level.

Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Shannon County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Shannon County with 85.64 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 Shannon County with 55.87 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 Shannon 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. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Shannon County with 74.62 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. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
Shannon County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain223 (23.57%)
Mike Huckabee515 (54.44%)
Mitt Romney83 (8.77%)
Ron Paul109 (11.52%)
Shannon County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Clinton914 (69.72%)
Barack Obama323 (24.64%)
John Edwards (withdrawn)50 (3.81%)
Uncommitted16 (1.22%)

In the 2008 presidential primary, voters in Shannon County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 914, than any candidate from either party in Shannon County during the 2008 presidential primary.

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older, 67.6% possesses a high school diploma or higher while 7.6% holds a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public Schools

Public libraries
  • Birch Tree City Library[15]
  • Eminence Public Library[16]
  • Winona Public Library[17]

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  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. 363.
  4. Johns, Robert H.; D. W. Burgess; C. A. Doswell III; M. S. Gilmore; J. A. Hart; S. F. Piltz (2013). "The 1925 Tri-State Tornado Damage Path and Associated Storm System". e-Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology. 8 (2).
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "County Results – State of Missouri – 2016 General Election – November 8, 2016 – Official Results". Missouri Secretary of State. December 12, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  14. "County winners, 1836-2016". Google Docs. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  15. Breeding, Marshall. "Birch Tree City Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  16. Breeding, Marshall. "Eminence Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  17. Breeding, Marshall. "Winona Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
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