Vernon County, Missouri

County in Missouri, United States

U.S. county in Missouri

Vernon County

U.S. county

Vernon County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Missouri

Missouri's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Missouri
Founded| February 27, 1855
Named for| Colonel Miles Vernon, state senator, and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans
Seat| Nevada
Largest city| Nevada
Area

• Total| 837 sq mi (2,170 km2)
• Land| 826 sq mi (2,140 km2)
• Water| 10 sq mi (30 km2)  1.2%
Population

(2010)

• Total| 21,159
• Density| 25/sq mi (9.8/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Website| www.vernoncountymo.org

Vernon County is located in the western region of the U.S. state of Missouri, on the border with Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,159.[1] Its county seat is Nevada.[2] The county was organized on February 27, 1855, considerably later than counties in the eastern part of the state.[3] It was named for Colonel Miles Vernon (1786–1867), a state senator and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans.[4] This was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Adjacent counties
* 2.2 Major highways
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2020 Census
* 4 Education
* 4.1 Public schools
* 4.2 Private schools
* 4.3 Colleges and universities
* 4.4 Public libraries
* 5 Politics
* 5.1 Local
* 5.2 State
* 5.3 Federal
* 5.3.1 Political culture
* 5.4 Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
* 6 Communities
* 6.1 Townships
* 6.2 Cities
* 6.3 Villages
* 6.4 Unincorporated communities
* 6.5 Former settlements
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## History

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The county was developed for agriculture and is still mostly rural.

Vernon County suffered considerable damage during the American Civil War. Guerrillas and insurgents had waged raids against Union troops and carried out personal vendettas in the county. On May 23, 1863, Union Army soldiers burned the county seat of Nevada, along with the courthouse, in retaliation. The present courthouse was completed in 1907.[5]

Vernon County was one of four Missouri counties that were wholly depopulated by Union General Thomas Ewing's General Order No. 11 (1863), which ordered the people evacuated to end support for Confederate guerrillas operating in the area. Most of the residents would not be allowed to return to their homes until after the Civil War ended in May 1865.

## Geography

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A boardwalk allows visitors to explore a restored wetland at Four Rivers Conservation Area in northern Vernon County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 837 square miles (2,170 km2), of which 826 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.2%) is water.[6]

### Adjacent counties

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* Bates County (north)
* St. Clair County (northeast)
* Cedar County (east)
* Barton County (south)
* Crawford County, Kansas (southwest)
* Bourbon County, Kansas (west)
* Linn County, Kansas (northwest)

### Major highways

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* Interstate 49
* U.S. Route 54
* U.S. Route 71
* Route 43

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1860| 4,850| | —
1870| 11,247| | 131.9%
1880| 19,369| | 72.2%
1890| 31,505| | 62.7%
1900| 31,619| | 0.4%
1910| 28,827| | −8.8%
1920| 26,069| | −9.6%
1930| 25,031| | −4.0%
1940| 25,586| | 2.2%
1950| 22,685| | −11.3%
1960| 20,540| | −9.5%
1970| 19,065| | −7.2%
1980| 19,806| | 3.9%
1990| 19,041| | −3.9%
2000| 20,454| | 7.4%
2010| 21,159| | 3.4%
2020| 19,707| | −6.9%
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 20,454 people, 7,966 households, and 5,432 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 8,872 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.99% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Approximately 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,966 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,021, and the median income for a family was $37,714. Males had a median income of $28,182 versus $19,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,047. About 10.10% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 Census

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Vernon County Racial Composition[12] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 17,966  | 91.2%
Black or African American (NH)  | 110  | 0.56%
Native American (NH)  | 131  | 0.66%
Asian (NH)  | 103  | 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 18  | 0.1%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 953  | 4.83%
Hispanic or Latino | 426  | 2.16%

## Education

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### Public schools

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* Bronaugh R-VII School District – Bronaugh
* Bronaugh Elementary School (PK-06)
* Bronaugh High School (07-12)
* Nevada R-V School District – Nevada
* Bryan Elementary School (PK-01)
* Benton Elementary School (02)
* Truman Elementary School (03-05)
* Nevada Middle School (06-08)
* Nevada High School (09-12)

/ Northeast Vernon County R-I School District – Walker

*     * Northeast Vernon County Elementary School (PK-06)
* Northeast Vernon County High School (07-12)
* Sheldon R-VIII School District – Sheldon
* Sheldon Elementary School (PK-06)
* Sheldon High School (07-12)

### Private schools

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* Nevada Seventh-day Adventist Christian School – Nevada (02-07) – Seventh-day Adventist
* St. Mary Elementary School – Nevada (Early Childhood) – Roman Catholic

### Colleges and universities

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* Cottey College – Nevada A private, four-year college for women.

### Public libraries

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* Nevada Public Library[13]

## 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 predominantly controls politics at the local level in Vernon County despite the Democratic Party's historical control. Republicans hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.

Vernon County, Missouri

Elected countywide officials
Assessor|  Cherie K. Roberts|  Democratic
Circuit Clerk|  Vickie Erwin|  Democratic
County Clerk|  Mike Buehler[14]|  Republican
Collector|  Brent Banes|  Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)|  Joe Hardin[14]|  Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)|  Cindy Thompson|  Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)|  Everett Wolf[15]|  Republican
Coroner|  David L. Ferry|  Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney|  Brandy McInroy[14]|  Republican
Public Administrator|  Tammy Bond|  Democratic
Recorder|  Doug Shupe|  Republican
Sheriff|  Jason Mosher[14]|  Republican
Surveyor|  Jerry Wood|  Republican
Treasurer|  Brent Banes|  Republican

### State

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

|
|
|

2020 | 77.01% 7,022 | 20.72% 1,889 | 2.27% 207
2016 | 66.67% 5,699 | 30.66% 2,621 | 2.67% 228
2012 | 52.26% 4,424 | 44.40% 3,759 | 3.34% 283
2008 | 46.54% 4,095 | 51.05% 4,491 | 2.41% 212
2004 | 66.76% 5,989 | 31.97% 2,868 | 1.27% 114
2000 | 52.49% 4,370 | 45.20% 3,763 | 2.30% 192
1996 | 39.90% 3,039 | 57.27% 4,362 | 2.84% 216

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 126th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Patricia Pike (R-Adrian).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Patricia Pike | 7,836 | 100.00% | +46.45
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2014)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Patricia Pike | 2,960 | 53.55% | -46.45
| Democratic | Sam Foursha  | 2,398  | 43.38%  | +43.38
| Constitution | William M. Gilmore  | 170  | 3.07%  | +3.07
Missouri House of Representatives — District 126 — Vernon County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Randy Pike | 7,309 | 100.00% |

All of Vernon County is a part of Missouri's 31st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville).

Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Ed Emery | 5,492 | 65.69% | -2.73
| Independent | Tim Wells  | 2,320  | 27.75%  | +27.75
| Libertarian | Lora Young  | 548  | 6.56%  | +6.56
Missouri Senate — District 31 — Vernon County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Ed Emery | 5,698 | 68.42% |
| Democratic | Charlie A. Burton  | 2,630  | 31.58%  |

### Federal

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U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Roy Blunt | 5,448 | 63.71% | +14.48
| Democratic | Jason Kander  | 2,700  | 31.58%  | -13.38
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine  | 231  | 2.70%  | -3.11
| Green | Johnathan McFarland  | 91  | 1.06%  | +1.06
| Constitution | Fred Ryman  | 81  | 0.95%  | +0.95
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Vernon County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Todd Akin  | 4,171  | 49.23%  |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 3,810 | 44.96% |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine  | 492  | 5.81%  |

All of Vernon County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2016)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 6,526 | 77.00% | +4.66
| Democratic | Gordon Christensen  | 1,676  | 19.78%  | -3.76
| Libertarian | Mark Bliss  | 273  | 3.22%  | -0.90
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2014)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 3,970 | 72.34% | +5.41
| Democratic | Nate Irvin  | 1,292  | 23.54%  | -5.66
| Libertarian | Herschel L. Young  | 226  | 4.12%  | +1.01
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Vernon County (2012)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 5,597 | 66.93% |
| Democratic | Teresa Hensley  | 2,442  | 29.20%  |
| Libertarian | Thomas Holbrook  | 260  | 3.11%  |
| Constitution | Greg Cowan  | 64  | 0.76%  |

#### Political culture

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Like many neighboring counties, Vernon County has become increasingly Republican over the past few presidential elections. The last time a Democratic candidate has carried this county was in 1996 by Bill Clinton.

United States presidential election results for Vernon County, Missouri[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 7,155  | 77.90% | 1,903  | 20.72%  | 127  | 1.38%
2016 | 6,533  | 75.69% | 1,707  | 19.78%  | 391  | 4.53%
2012 | 5,758  | 67.57% | 2,580  | 30.28%  | 183  | 2.15%
2008 | 5,334  | 60.08% | 3,381  | 38.08%  | 163  | 1.84%
2004 | 5,732  | 63.75% | 3,206  | 35.65%  | 54  | 0.60%
2000 | 4,985  | 59.29% | 3,156  | 37.54%  | 267  | 3.18%
1996 | 3,123  | 40.70%  | 3,363  | 43.82% | 1,188  | 15.48%
1992 | 2,851  | 34.34%  | 3,546  | 42.71% | 1,906  | 22.96%
1988 | 4,149  | 54.79% | 3,402  | 44.93%  | 21  | 0.28%
1984 | 5,181  | 63.45% | 2,984  | 36.55%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 4,391  | 51.93% | 3,704  | 43.80%  | 361  | 4.27%
1976 | 3,715  | 42.78%  | 4,921  | 56.67% | 48  | 0.55%
1972 | 4,892  | 61.54% | 3,057  | 38.46%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 3,590  | 45.27% | 3,557  | 44.85%  | 783  | 9.87%
1964 | 3,077  | 34.06%  | 5,958  | 65.94% | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 5,387  | 56.27% | 4,186  | 43.73%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 5,184  | 53.27% | 4,547  | 46.73%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 5,924  | 56.92% | 4,450  | 42.76%  | 34  | 0.33%
1948 | 3,808  | 41.55%  | 5,342  | 58.29% | 14  | 0.15%
1944 | 5,171  | 51.39% | 4,885  | 48.55%  | 6  | 0.06%
1940 | 5,443  | 46.38%  | 6,271  | 53.44% | 21  | 0.18%
1936 | 4,546  | 39.61%  | 6,872  | 59.87% | 60  | 0.52%
1932 | 2,856  | 29.50%  | 6,687  | 69.07% | 138  | 1.43%
1928 | 5,783  | 60.94% | 3,676  | 38.74%  | 31  | 0.33%
1924 | 3,593  | 38.89%  | 4,839  | 52.38% | 807  | 8.73%
1920 | 4,645  | 45.33%  | 5,419  | 52.89% | 182  | 1.78%
1916 | 2,211  | 35.50%  | 3,776  | 60.63% | 241  | 3.87%
1912 | 1,654  | 26.57%  | 3,483  | 55.94% | 1,089  | 17.49%
1908 | 2,369  | 37.48%  | 3,705  | 58.61% | 247  | 3.91%
1904 | 2,450  | 40.51%  | 3,225  | 53.32% | 373  | 6.17%
1900 | 2,356  | 34.24%  | 4,306  | 62.58% | 219  | 3.18%
1896 | 2,230  | 30.03%  | 5,133  | 69.12% | 63  | 0.85%
1892 | 1,847  | 29.09%  | 3,627  | 57.13% | 875  | 13.78%
1888 | 2,252  | 33.99%  | 4,057  | 61.23% | 317  | 4.78%

### Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

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

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,434, than any candidate from either party in Vernon County during the 2008 presidential primary.

## Communities

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### Townships

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* Bacon Township
* Badger Township
* Blue Mound Township
* Center Township
* Clear Creek Township
* Coal Township
* Deerfield Township
* Dover Township
* Drywood Township
* Harrison Township
* Henry Township
* Lake Township
* Metz Township
* Montevallo Township
* Moundville Township
* Osage Township
* Richland Township
* Virgil Township
* Walker Township
* Washington Township

### Cities

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* Bronaugh
* Nevada (county seat)
* Schell City
* Sheldon

### Villages

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* Deerfield
* Harwood
* Metz
* Milo
* Moundville
* Richards
* Stotesbury

### Unincorporated communities

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* Amos
* Arthur
* Bellamy
* Blaine
* Bristow
* Carbon Center
* Dederick
* Ellis
* Eve
* Fair Haven
* Horton
* Katy
* Ketterman
* Montevallo
* Panama
* Portia
* Swart
* Rinehart
* Virgil City
* Walker
* Zodiac

### Former settlements

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* Fort Carondelet

## See also

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* National Register of Historic Places listings in Vernon County, Missouri

## References

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1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ History of Vernon county, Missouri. St. Louis: Brown & Co. 1887. pp. 194–196.
4. ^ "The Nevada Daily Mail". May 11, 1960. p. 8. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
5. ^ "History". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
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. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Vernon County, Missouri".
13. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Nevada Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
14. ^ a b c d 2014 Election
15. ^ 2012 Election
16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

## External links

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* Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Vernon County Archived 2011-08-16 at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

Places adjacent to Vernon County, Missouri

| Linn County, Kansas | Bates County | St. Clair County

|
|

|  |
Bourbon County, Kansas |

Vernon County, Missouri

| Cedar County
|  |
Crawford County, Kansas | Barton County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Vernon County, Missouri, United States

County seat: Nevada

Cities|

* Bronaugh
* Nevada
* Schell City
* Sheldon
* Walker

Map of Missouri highlighting Vernon County

Villages|

* Deerfield
* Harwood
* Metz
* Milo
* Moundville
* Richards
* Stotesbury

Townships|

* Bacon
* Badger
* Blue Mound
* Center
* Clear Creek
* Coal
* Deerfield
* Dover
* Drywood
* Harrison
* Henry
* Lake
* Metz
* Montevallo
* Moundville
* Osage
* Richland
* Virgil
* Walker
* Washington

Unincorporated
communities|

* Amos
* Arthur
* Bellamy
* Blaine
* Bristow
* Carbon Center
* Dederick
* Ellis
* Eve
* Fair Haven
* Horton
* Katy
* Ketterman
* Montevallo
* Panama
* Portia
* Rinehart
* Swart
* Virgil City‡
* Zodiac

Ghost towns|

* Greene Springs
* Pashaw

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: 37°51′N 94°20′W﻿ / ﻿37.85°N 94.34°W﻿ / 37.85; -94.34
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