Washington County, Missouri

Washington County is located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 25,195.[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]

For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Washington, Missouri.

Washington County
U.S. county
Washington County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°58′N 90°53′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedAugust 21, 1813
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatPotosi
Largest cityPotosi
Area
 • Total762 sq mi (1,970 km2)
 • Land760 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Water2.6 sq mi (7 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total25,195
 • Estimate 
(2018)
24,943
 • Density33/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.washingtoncountymo.us

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
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
2018 (est.)24,943[5]−1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[1]
Largest ancestries (2000)Percent
American 19.8%
French 15.6%
German 10.4%
Irish 9.6%
English 5.9%

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 23,344 people, 8,406 households, and 6,237 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 9,894 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/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.

Washington County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Heather Eckhoff Republican
Circuit Clerk Ashley Gum Republican
County Clerk Jeannette Allen Republican
Collector Carla Zettler Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 David Sanchegraw Democratic
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Doug Short Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Code Brinley Republican
Coroner Steven Hatfield Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Josh Hedgecorth Democratic
Public Administrator Judy Gillam Republican
Recorder Jamie Miner Republican
Sheriff Zach Jacobson Republican
Surveyor R. Timothy Daugherty Democratic
Treasurer Phyllis Long Republican

State

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

  • District 118 – Currently represented by Ben Harris (D-Hillsboro) and consists of the northeastern part of the county and includes Cadet, Mineral Point, Old Mines, Richwoods, Tiff, and part of Potosi.
Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Harris 3,955 100.00% +53.95
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
Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Harris 3,783 100.00%
  • District 119 – Currently represented by Nate Tate (R-St. Clair). Consists of the northwestern part of the county, including Pea Ridge.
Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Tate 495 100.00% +35.35
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
Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Hinson 447 100.00%
  • District 144 – Currently represented by Paul Fitzwater (R-Potosi). Consists of the southern parts of the county including Belgrade, Caledonia, Courtois, Hopewell, Irondale, and part of Potosi.
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Fitzwater 3,177 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Fitzwater 1,837 100.00% -23.43
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%

All of Washington County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Gary Romine (R-Farmington).

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
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%
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
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

Federal
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
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%

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.

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
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
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
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%

Political culture
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 80.7% 8,047 18.1% 1,804 1.25% 125
2016 75.5% 7,048 20.6% 1,926 3.8% 357
2012 58.3% 5,071 39.3% 3,417 2.4% 207
2008 49.0% 4,706 49.0% 4,711 2.1% 197
2004 50.6% 4,641 48.6% 4,459 0.9% 78
2000 48.6% 4,020 49.0% 4,047 2.4% 198
1996 28.8% 2,259 55.0% 4,315 16.3% 1,276
1992 26.9% 2,157 52.6% 4,211 20.5% 1,642
1988 46.3% 3,240 53.5% 3,744 0.2% 16
1984 55.7% 3,755 44.3% 2,987
1980 53.2% 3,439 44.4% 2,873 2.4% 153
1976 41.4% 2,526 58.0% 3,543 0.6% 39
1972 63.1% 3,818 36.9% 2,229
1968 46.3% 2,641 40.2% 2,292 13.6% 776
1964 36.9% 2,286 63.1% 3,908
1960 56.5% 3,437 43.5% 2,649
1956 58.7% 3,383 41.3% 2,380
1952 55.3% 3,338 44.5% 2,684 0.2% 11
1948 48.0% 2,200 51.7% 2,370 0.3% 15
1944 58.3% 2,900 41.5% 2,065 0.2% 9
1940 56.9% 3,817 43.0% 2,881 0.1% 8
1936 49.3% 2,909 49.9% 2,942 0.9% 51
1932 40.4% 2,246 58.9% 3,275 0.7% 38
1928 59.0% 3,019 40.8% 2,091 0.2% 10
1924 54.4% 2,397 44.4% 1,955 1.2% 53
1920 58.4% 2,618 41.0% 1,837 0.7% 31
1916 53.8% 1,657 45.3% 1,394 0.9% 29
1912 41.3% 1,059 43.7% 1,121 15.0% 386
1908 56.1% 1,753 42.6% 1,330 1.3% 41
1904 54.6% 1,673 43.7% 1,339 1.6% 50
1900 53.6% 1,751 45.9% 1,500 0.5% 16
1896 51.4% 1,547 48.5% 1,458 0.1% 4
1892 47.5% 1,200 51.6% 1,303 0.8% 21
1888 47.7% 1,222 52.2% 1,336 0.1% 2

At the presidential level, Washington County is a fairly independent-leaning or battleground county although it does have a tendency to often lean Democratic. 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. 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. 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.

Donald Trump won the county with 75% of the vote in 2016, continuing a trend of white, rural Midwestern counties that had voted for Obama in 2008 and/or 2012 and had swung hard to Trump in 2016. The Trump campaign had made promises to bolster the jobs situations in the Rust Belt, which combined with elevated social liberalism from the Democrats, may have played a role in the margins -- which could be said for various other white working-class Midwestern counties that did the same.

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
Washington County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain616 (38.36%)
Mike Huckabee622 (38.73%)
Mitt Romney297 (18.49%)
Ron Paul50 (3.11%)
Washington County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Clinton2,345 (74.63%)
Barack Obama670 (21.32%)
John Edwards (withdrawn)100 (3.18%)
Uncommitted{{{uncommitted}}}

In the 2008 presidential primary, voters in Washington 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 2,345, than any candidate from either party in Washington County during the 2008 presidential primary. She also received more votes, almost double, than the total number of votes cast in the entire Republican Primary in Washington County. Washington County was Clinton's fifth strongest county in Missouri; she only did better in Dunklin, Wayne, Carter and Ripley counties.

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

Private schools
  • St. Joachim Elementary School – Cadet – (PK-08) – Roman Catholic

Colleges and universities

Public libraries
  • Washington County Library[12]

Government and infrastructure

The Potosi Correctional Center of the Missouri Department of Corrections is located in an unincorporated area in the county.[13] The prison houses male death row inmates.[14]

911
  • Washington County Central Dispatch 911. Administrator William Goad
  • Dispatchers - Zero

Fire Departments
  • Potosi Fire Protection District. Chief- Roger LaChance
  • Firemen- 25–30
  • Junior Firemen- 3–7
  • Potosi House#1. 313 E Jefferson St. Downtown/South County Station
  • Potosi House#2 State Highway AA Sunnen Lake Station
  • Potosi House#3. State Highway E. Tiff Station
  • Potosi House#4. State Highway 21. Northeast County/Washington State Park Station
  • Potosi House#5. State Highway 185 North County/Indian Creek Station
  • Richwoods Fire Protection District. Chief- David Hoffmann Jr
  • Firemen – 36
  • Junior Firemen – 1
  • No. Of Stations – 1
  • No. Of Trucks – 10
  • Area District – Town of Richwoods, Parts of Blackwell, Fletcher, Lonedell, and Sullivan Zip Codes.
  • District Highway Coverage
  • State Hwy 47
  • State Hwy A
  • State Hwy H
  • State Hwy T
  • State Hwy WW
  • Irondale Fire Protection District. Chief- Bill Byers
  • Firemen- 15–20
  • Junior Firemen- 3–5
  • No. Of Stations- 1
  • No. Of Trucks- 5
  • Area District- City of Irondale
  • District Highway Coverage
  • State Hwy M
  • State Hwy 8
  • State Hwy U
  • Belgrade Fire Protection District. Chief- Bob Hayworth
  • Firemen- 5–7
  • Junior Firemen- 0
  • Number of Stations 2
  • Number of Trucks 8
  • Area District- City of Belgrade- Village of Caledonia- Palmer- Quaker- Delbridge
  • District Highway Coverage-
  • State Hwy C
  • State Hwy 21 Bootleg Park @ Gildea Rd
  • State Hwy 32 Iron County
  • State Hwy DD
  • State Hwy P
  • State Hwy Y
  • State Hwy BB
  • State Hwy JJ
  • State Hwy Z
  • Council Bluff Beach-Camping Area
  • Caledonia Fire Department. Chief- Charles Hampton
  • Firemen- 15–20
  • Junior Firemen- 1
  • No. Of Stations- 1
  • No. Of Trucks- 6
  • Area District- Village of Caledonia- City of Belgrade
  • District Highway Coverage
  • State Hwy 21
  • State Hwy 32
  • State Hwy M

Ambulance District

Washington County Ambulance District. Administrator – Justin Duncan

  • Supervisors – 3
  • Paramedics / CCT-Paramedics – 25
  • EMT-B – 14
  • No. of Stations – 2
  • No. of Ambulances – 7
  • No. of Support Vehicles – 2
  • Area District – All of Washington County

Law Enforcement

Washington County Sheriff's Office

  • Sheriff – Zach Jacobsen
  • Captain – Shannon Thompson
  • Lieutenant –
  • Sergeant – Christopher Barton
  • Corporal – Garth Rogers, Joseph Jenkins, Scott Pratt and Amanda Randazzo
  • Jurisdiction – All of Washington County

Potosi Police Department

  • Chief – Michael Gum
  • Captain –
  • Lieutenant –
  • Sergeant – Jonie Boyer
  • Corporal –
  • Corporal –

Missouri Department of Conservation

  • Conservation Agent – Lucas McClamroch

United States Forestry Service

  • Forestry Ranger – <VACANT>

Attractions
  • Big River Access – Belgrade
  • Council Bluff Lake – Belgrade
  • Berryman Camp & Trail National Forest – Berryman
  • Bootleg Park – 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

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships
  • Baughertown
  • Belgrade
  • Bellview
  • Blackwell
  • Breton
  • Concord
  • Fletcher
  • Harmony
  • Johnson
  • Kingston
  • Liberty
  • Richwoods
  • Union
  • Walton

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. 370.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  12. Breeding, Marshall. "Washington County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  13. "Institutional Facilities Archived 27 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Missouri Department of Corrections. Retrieved September 18, 2010. "Potosi Correctional Center (C-5)" "11593 State Highway O Mineral Point, MO 63660"
  14. Lombardi, George, Richard D. Sluder, and Donald Wallace. "The Management of Death-Sentenced Inmates: Issues, Realities, and Innovative Strategies Archived 27 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine." Missouri Department of Corrections. 8–9. Retrieved September 18, 2010.

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