Osage County, Missouri

County in Missouri, United States

U.S. county in Missouri

Osage County

U.S. county

The Osage County Courthouse in Linn

The Osage County Courthouse in Linn

Map of Missouri highlighting Osage County

Location within the U.S. state of Missouri

Missouri's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Missouri
Founded| January 29, 1841
Named for| Osage River
Seat| Linn
Largest city| Linn
Area

• Total| 611 sq mi (1,580 km2)
• Land| 604 sq mi (1,560 km2)
• Water| 6.1 sq mi (16 km2)  1.0%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 13,274
• Density| 22/sq mi (8.4/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 3rd
Website| osagecountygov.com

Osage County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,274.[1] Its county seat is Linn.[2] The county was organized January 29, 1841, and named from the Osage River.[3]

Osage County is part of the Jefferson City, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its geography and the founding of Westphalia Vineyards links it to the Missouri Rhineland, extending along the Missouri River valley to the western edges of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

According to data from the 2010 census, Osage County is the whitest county in Missouri, with 98.85 percent of residents being white.

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Adjacent counties
* 1.2 Major highways
* 2 Demographics
* 2.1 2020 Census
* 3 Education
* 3.1 Public schools
* 3.2 Private schools
* 3.3 Post-secondary
* 3.4 Public libraries
* 4 Politics
* 4.1 Local
* 4.2 State
* 4.3 Federal
* 4.3.1 Political culture
* 4.4 Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
* 4.5 Missouri presidential preference primary (2016)
* 5 Communities
* 5.1 Cities and Towns
* 5.2 Unincorporated Communities
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 Further reading
* 9 External links

## Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 610 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 604 square miles (1,560 km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) (1.0%) is water.[4]

### Adjacent counties

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* Callaway County (north)
* Gasconade County (east)
* Maries County (south)
* Miller County (southwest)
* Cole County (west)
* Montgomery County (northeast)

### Major highways

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* U.S. Route 50
* U.S. Route 63
* File:MO-89.svg Route 89
* Route 100
* Route 133

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1850| 6,704| | —
1860| 7,879| | 17.5%
1870| 10,793| | 37.0%
1880| 11,824| | 9.6%
1890| 13,080| | 10.6%
1900| 14,096| | 7.8%
1910| 14,283| | 1.3%
1920| 13,559| | −5.1%
1930| 12,462| | −8.1%
1940| 12,375| | −0.7%
1950| 11,301| | −8.7%
1960| 10,867| | −3.8%
1970| 10,994| | 1.2%
1980| 12,014| | 9.3%
1990| 12,018| | 0.0%
2000| 13,062| | 8.7%
2010| 13,878| | 6.2%
2020| 13,274| | −4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2015[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 13,062 people, 4,922 households, and 3,578 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 5,904 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.64% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Approximately 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,922 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.70% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,565, and the median income for a family was $46,503. Males had a median income of $29,538 versus $22,353 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,245. About 5.90% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 Census

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Osage County Racial Composition[11] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 12,688  | 95.58%
Black or African American (NH)  | 24  | 0.18%
Native American (NH)  | 28  | 0.21%
Asian (NH)  | 3  | 0.02%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 10  | 0.08%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 396  | 3%
Hispanic or Latino | 125  | 1%

## Education

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### Public schools

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* Osage County R-I School District – Chamois
* Osage County R-I Elementary School (PK-06)
* Chamois High School (07-12)
* Osage County R-II School District – Linn
* Osage County R-II Elementary School (PK-06)
* Linn High School (07-12)
* Osage County R-III School District – Westphalia
* Fatima Elementary School (PK-06)
* Fatima High School (07-12)

### Private schools

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* St. Joseph Catholic School – Westphalia (K-09) – Roman Catholic
* Immaculate Conception School – Loose Creek (K-09) – Roman Catholic
* St. George School – Linn (K-09) – Roman Catholic
* Sacred Heart School – Rich Fountain (K-09) – Roman Catholic
* Holy Family School – Freeburg (K-09) – Roman Catholic
* St. Mary's School – Bonnots Mill (K-09) – Roman Catholic

### Post-secondary

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* State Technical College of Missouri \- Linn, Missouri

### Public libraries

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* Osage County Library[12]

## Politics

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This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

### Local

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The Republican Party mostly controls politics at the local level in Osage County. Republicans hold over half of the elected positions in the county.

Osage County, Missouri

Elected countywide officials
Assessor|  Jerry Baker, Jr.|  Republican
Circuit Clerk|  Beth Billington|  Democratic
County Clerk|  Nicci Bouse|  Republican
Collector|  Denise Nolte|  Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)|  Darryl Griffin|  Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)|  John Glavin|  Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)|  Larry Kliethermes|  Republican
Coroner|  Lois Jaegers|  Independent
Prosecuting Attorney|  Amanda L. Grellner|  Democratic
Public Administrator|  Paul G. Stratman|  Republican
Recorder|  Cindy Hoffman|  Democratic
Sheriff|  Michael Bonham|  Republican
Surveyor|  Timothy Hamburg|  Democratic
Treasurer|  Tim G. Neuner|  Republican

### State

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Past Gubernatorial Elections Results Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties

|
|
|

2020 | 86.43% 6,512 | 12.30% 927 | 1.26% 95
2016 | 64.64% 4,579 | 32.76% 2,321 | 2.60% 184
2012 | 58.37% 4,016 | 39.42% 2,712 | 2.21% 152
2008 | 59.51% 4,212 | 39.45% 2,792 | 1.04% 74
2004 | 68.67% 4,586 | 30.61% 2,044 | 0.71% 48
2000 | 55.78% 3,450 | 42.78% 2,646 | 1.44% 89
1996 | 38.80% 2,151 | 59.33% 3,289 | 1.88% 104

Osage County is split between two of the districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives, and both are represented by Republicans.

* District 61 — Aaron Griesheimer). Consists of the northern half of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 61 — Osage County (2018)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Aaron D. Griesheimer | 1,909 | 81.54% | +5.00
| Democratic | Pamela A. Menefee  | 431  | 18.41%  | -5.00
Missouri House of Representatives — District 61 — Osage County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Justin Alferman | 2,147 | 74.63% | -1.48
| Democratic | Tom Smith  | 593  | 20.61%  | +1.48
Missouri House of Representatives — District 61 — Osage County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Dave Schatz | 1,965 | 74.80% |
| Democratic | Michael Sage  | 662  | 25.20%  |

* District 62 — Tom Hurst (R- Meta). Consists of Linn and the southern half of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Osage County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Tom Hurst | 3,906 | 100.00% |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Osage County (2014)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Tom Hurst | 2,195 | 100.00% | +32.51
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Osage County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Tom Hurst | 2,755 | 67.49% |
| Democratic | Greg Stratman  | 1,327  | 32.51%  |

All of Osage County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City).

Missouri Senate — District 6 — Osage County (2014)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Mike Kehoe | 3,541 | 85.63% |
| Democratic | Mollie Kristen Fairbairn  | 594  | 14.37%  |

### Federal

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U.S. Senate — Missouri — Osage County (2018)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Josh Hawley | 4,626 | 76.04% | +9.30
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill  | 1,255  | 20.63%  | -5.75
| Libertarian | Japeth Campbell  | 44  | 0.72%  | +0.72
| Green | Jo Crain  | 28  | 0.46%  | +0.46
| Independent | Craig O'Dear  | 80  | 1.31%  | +1.31
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Osage County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Todd Akin  | 3,986  | 58.49%  |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 2,359 | 34.61% |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine  | 470  | 6.90%  |

All of Osage County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District — Osage County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 5,956 | 84.89% | +2.02
| Democratic | Kevin Miller  | 889  | 12.67%  | -1.71
| Libertarian | Dan Hogan  | 122  | 1.74%  | -0.94
| Constitution | Doanita Simmons  | 49  | 0.70%  | +0.70
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Osage County (2014)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 3,435 | 82.87% | -0.58
| Democratic | Courtney Denton  | 596  | 14.38%  | -0.13
| Libertarian | Steven Hedrick  | 111  | 2.68%  | +0.64
| Write-In | Harold Davis  | 3  | 0.07%  | +0.07
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Osage County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 5,694 | 83.45% |
| Democratic | Eric C. Meyer  | 990  | 14.51%  |
| Libertarian | Steven Wilson  | 139  | 2.04%  |

#### Political culture

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United States presidential election results for Osage County, Missouri[13] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 6,425  | 85.14% | 1,037  | 13.74%  | 84  | 1.11%
2016 | 5,856  | 82.60% | 998  | 14.08%  | 236  | 3.33%
2012 | 5,329  | 77.02% | 1,473  | 21.29%  | 117  | 1.69%
2008 | 5,062  | 71.51% | 1,907  | 26.94%  | 110  | 1.55%
2004 | 4,975  | 74.58% | 1,673  | 25.08%  | 23  | 0.34%
2000 | 4,154  | 67.24% | 1,938  | 31.37%  | 86  | 1.39%
1996 | 2,890  | 51.90% | 2,045  | 36.73%  | 633  | 11.37%
1992 | 2,784  | 45.84% | 1,860  | 30.63%  | 1,429  | 23.53%
1988 | 3,885  | 68.58% | 1,771  | 31.26%  | 9  | 0.16%
1984 | 4,381  | 76.54% | 1,343  | 23.46%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 3,679  | 63.19% | 2,045  | 35.13%  | 98  | 1.68%
1976 | 3,224  | 61.19% | 2,015  | 38.24%  | 30  | 0.57%
1972 | 4,266  | 74.18% | 1,485  | 25.82%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 3,107  | 61.63% | 1,540  | 30.55%  | 394  | 7.82%
1964 | 2,712  | 50.98% | 2,608  | 49.02%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 2,678  | 48.01%  | 2,900  | 51.99% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 3,077  | 55.72% | 2,445  | 44.28%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 3,404  | 60.73% | 2,191  | 39.09%  | 10  | 0.18%
1948 | 2,488  | 48.12%  | 2,672  | 51.68% | 10  | 0.19%
1944 | 3,284  | 60.68% | 2,121  | 39.19%  | 7  | 0.13%
1940 | 3,743  | 61.50% | 2,332  | 38.32%  | 11  | 0.18%
1936 | 2,836  | 48.08%  | 2,995  | 50.77% | 68  | 1.15%
1932 | 1,798  | 33.38%  | 3,567  | 66.21% | 22  | 0.41%
1928 | 2,474  | 44.40%  | 3,092  | 55.49% | 6  | 0.11%
1924 | 2,496  | 51.98% | 1,986  | 41.36%  | 320  | 6.66%
1920 | 3,699  | 76.17% | 1,118  | 23.02%  | 39  | 0.80%
1916 | 1,769  | 55.56% | 1,383  | 43.44%  | 32  | 1.01%
1912 | 981  | 33.56%  | 1,394  | 47.69% | 548  | 18.75%
1908 | 1,820  | 55.24% | 1,439  | 43.67%  | 36  | 1.09%
1904 | 1,699  | 52.70% | 1,451  | 45.01%  | 74  | 2.30%
1900 | 1,731  | 54.28% | 1,396  | 43.78%  | 62  | 1.94%
1896 | 1,700  | 53.26% | 1,456  | 45.61%  | 36  | 1.13%
1892 | 1,378  | 51.23% | 1,266  | 47.06%  | 46  | 1.71%
1888 | 1,446  | 54.04% | 1,190  | 44.47%  | 40  | 1.49%

### Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

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Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

### Missouri presidential preference primary (2016)

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Donald J. Trump received more votes, a total of 1,316, than any candidate from either party in Osage County during the 2016 presidential primary.

## Communities

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### Cities and Towns

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* Argyle (a portion of the city extends into Maries County)
* Belle (mostly in Maries County)
* Bland (mostly in Gasconade County)
* Chamois
* Freeburg
* Linn (county seat)
* Meta
* Westphalia

### Unincorporated Communities

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* Aud
* Babbtown
* Bonnots Mill
* Byron
* Cooper Hill
* Crook
* Deer
* Folk
* Frankenstein
* Freedom
* Hope
* Judge
* Koeltztown
* Koenig
* Loose Creek
* Luystown
* Mint Hill
* Potts
* Rich Fountain
* Saint Aubert

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Osage County, Missouri
* Bonnots Mill Historic District
* Chamois Public School
* Dauphine Hotel
* Huber's Ferry Farmstead Historic District
* Osage County Poorhouse
* Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Parsonage
* St. Joseph Church
* Alvah Washington Townley Farmstead Historic District
* Dr. Enoch T. and Amy Zewicki House

## References

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1. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1917). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 337.
4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osage County, Missouri".
12. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Osage County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

## Further reading

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* History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage counties, Missouri : from the earliest time to the present, including a department devoted to the preservation of sundry personal, business, professional and the private records; besides a valuable fund of notes, original observations, etc. etc. (1889) online

## External links

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* The Osage County Branch of the Missouri River Regional Library
* Westphalia Vineyards Official Website
* Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Osage County Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

Places adjacent to Osage County, Missouri

|  | Callaway County | Montgomery County

|
|

|  |
Cole County |

Osage County, Missouri

| Gasconade County
|  |
Miller County | Maries County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Osage County, Missouri, United States

County seat: Linn

Cities|

* Belle‡
* Bland‡
* Chamois
* Linn
* Meta
* Westphalia

File:Map of Missouri highlighting Osage County.svgMap of Missouri highlighting Osage County

Villages|

* Argyle‡
* Freeburg

Townships|

* Benton
* Crawford
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Linn
* Washington

Unincorporated
communities|

* Aud
* Babbtown
* Bonnots Mill
* Byron
* Cooper Hill
* Crook
* Deer
* Folk
* Frankenstein
* Freedom
* Hope
* Judge
* Koeltztown
* Koenig
* Loose Creek
* Luystown
* Mint Hill
* Potts
* Rich Fountain
* Saint Aubert

Ghost towns|

* Castle Rock
* Dingley
* Feuersville
* Gascondy
* Lisletown
* Ryors

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Missouri

Jefferson City (capital)

Topics|

* Index
* Geography
* Government
* Delegations
* History
* Battles
* Civil War
* People
* Symbols
* Tourist attractions
* Transportation

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Politics

Regions|

* Boonslick
* Bootheel
* Four State Area
* Honey Lands
* Lead Belt
* Lincoln Hills
* Little Dixie
* Loess Hills
* Mid-Missouri
* Mississippi Embayment
* Missouri Rhineland
* Northern Plains
* Osage Plains
* The Ozarks
* Platte Purchase
* Pony Express
* St. Francois Mountains

Metro areas|

* Columbia
* Jefferson City
* Joplin
* Kansas City
* Springfield
* St. Joseph
* St. Louis

Largest cities|

* Kansas City
* St. Louis
* Springfield
* Columbia
* Independence
* Lee's Summit
* O'Fallon
* St. Joseph
* St. Charles
* Blue Springs
* St. Peters
* Florissant
* Joplin
* Chesterfield
* Wentzville
* Jefferson City
* Cape Girardeau
* Wildwood
* University City
* Ballwin
* Liberty
* Raytown
* Kirkwood
* Maryland Heights
* Gladstone
* Grandview
* Hazelwood

Counties and
independent cities|

* Adair
* Andrew
* Atchison
* Audrain
* Barry
* Barton
* Bates
* Benton
* Bollinger
* Boone
* Buchanan
* Butler
* Caldwell
* Callaway
* Camden
* Cape Girardeau
* Carroll
* Carter
* Cass
* Cedar
* Chariton
* Christian
* Clark
* Clay
* Clinton
* Cole
* Cooper
* Crawford
* Dade
* Dallas
* Daviess
* DeKalb
* Dent
* Douglas
* Dunklin
* Franklin
* Gasconade
* Gentry
* Greene
* Grundy
* Harrison
* Henry
* Hickory
* Holt
* Howard
* Howell
* Iron
* Jackson
* Jasper
* Jefferson
* Johnson
* Knox
* Laclede
* Lafayette
* Lawrence
* Lewis
* Lincoln
* Linn
* Livingston
* Macon
* Madison
* Maries
* Marion
* McDonald
* Mercer
* Miller
* Mississippi
* Moniteau
* Monroe
* Montgomery
* Morgan
* New Madrid
* Newton
* Nodaway
* Oregon
* Osage
* Ozark
* Pemiscot
* Perry
* Pettis
* Phelps
* Pike
* Platte
* Polk
* Pulaski
* Putnam
* Ralls
* Randolph
* Ray
* Reynolds
* Ripley
* St. Charles
* St. Clair
* St. Francois
* St. Louis (City)
* St. Louis (County)
* Ste. Genevieve
* Saline
* Schuyler
* Scotland
* Scott
* Shannon
* Shelby
* Stoddard
* Stone
* Sullivan
* Taney
* Texas
* Vernon
* Warren
* Washington
* Wayne
* Webster
* Worth
* Wright

Coordinates: 38°28′N 91°52′W﻿ / ﻿38.46°N 91.86°W﻿ / 38.46; -91.86
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