Barry County, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barry County
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The Barry County Courthouse in Cassville
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Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
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 Missouri's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | January 5, 1835 |
| Named for | William Taylor Barry |
| Seat | Cassville |
| Largest city | Monett |
| Area | |
| • Total | 791 sq mi (2,050 km2) |
| • Land | 778 sq mi (2,020 km2) |
| • Water | 13 sq mi (30 km2) 1.6% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 34,534 |
| • Density | 43.659/sq mi (16.857/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
Barry County is a special area in the southwest part of Missouri, a state in the United States. It's like a big neighborhood with its own government. In 2020, about 34,534 people lived here.
The main town, or county seat, is Cassville. Barry County was created in 1835. It was named after William Taylor Barry. He was a very important person who worked for the U.S. Post Office. He was from Kentucky. There's another town called Barry near Kansas City, but it's not in Barry County.
Contents
Exploring Barry County's Land and Neighbors
Barry County covers about 791 square miles. Most of this is land, about 778 square miles. The rest, about 13 square miles, is water.
In the southern part of the county, you'll find Roaring River State Park. This beautiful park is inside the huge Mark Twain National Forest. It's a great place for outdoor adventures!
Nearby Counties
Barry County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Lawrence County (to the north)
- Stone County (to the east)
- Carroll County, Arkansas (to the southeast)
- Benton County, Arkansas (to the south)
- McDonald County (to the southwest)
- Newton County (to the northwest)
Main Roads and Highways
These are some of the important roads that run through Barry County:
U.S. Route 60
Route 37
Route 39
Route 76
Route 86
Route 97
Route 248
Protected Natural Areas
A part of the famous Mark Twain National Forest is located within Barry County. This forest helps protect nature and wildlife.
People and Population of Barry County
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 4,745 | — | |
| 1850 | 3,467 | −26.9% | |
| 1860 | 7,995 | 130.6% | |
| 1870 | 10,373 | 29.7% | |
| 1880 | 14,405 | 38.9% | |
| 1890 | 22,943 | 59.3% | |
| 1900 | 25,532 | 11.3% | |
| 1910 | 23,869 | −6.5% | |
| 1920 | 23,473 | −1.7% | |
| 1930 | 22,803 | −2.9% | |
| 1940 | 23,546 | 3.3% | |
| 1950 | 21,755 | −7.6% | |
| 1960 | 18,921 | −13.0% | |
| 1970 | 19,597 | 3.6% | |
| 1980 | 24,408 | 24.5% | |
| 1990 | 27,547 | 12.9% | |
| 2000 | 34,010 | 23.5% | |
| 2010 | 35,597 | 4.7% | |
| 2020 | 34,534 | −3.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2015 |
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The population of Barry County has changed a lot over the years. In 2000, there were 34,010 people living here. About 13,398 homes were counted. Many families lived together, with about 59% being married couples.
The people in Barry County come from many different backgrounds. In 2000, most residents were White. There were also people who identified as Black, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander. About 5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in the county in 2000 was 38 years old. About 26% of the people were under 18. This means there are many kids and teens in Barry County!
Religious Beliefs
Barry County is known for having many people who follow Christian faiths. The most common groups are Southern Baptists and Roman Catholics. Many United Methodists also live here.
Population in 2020
The 2020 Census showed the population was 34,534. Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Barry County:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (not Hispanic) | 28,058 | 81.3% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 102 | 0.3% |
| Native American (not Hispanic) | 316 | 1% |
| Asian (not Hispanic) | 808 | 2.34% |
| Pacific Islander (not Hispanic) | 70 | 0.2% |
| Other/Mixed (not Hispanic) | 1,847 | 5.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,333 | 9.7% |
Schools and Learning in Barry County
Barry County has many schools for students of all ages. There are also public libraries where you can find books and learn new things.
Public Schools
Here are some of the public school districts in Barry County:
- Cassville R-IV School District in Cassville
- Eunice Thomas Elementary School (Pre-K to 2nd grade)
- Cassville Intermediate School (3rd to 5th grade)
- Cassville Middle School (6th to 8th grade)
- Cassville High School (9th to 12th grade)
- Exeter R-VI School District in Exeter
- Exeter Elementary School (Kindergarten to 8th grade)
- Exeter High School (9th to 12th grade)
- Monett R-I School District in Monett
- Monett Elementary School (Pre-K to 2nd grade)
- Central Park Elementary School (3rd to 4th grade)
- Monett Intermediate School (5th to 6th grade)
- Monett Middle School (7th to 8th grade)
- Monett High School (9th to 12th grade)
- Purdy R-II School District in Purdy
- Purdy Elementary School (Kindergarten to 4th grade)
- Purdy Middle School (5th to 8th grade)
- Purdy High School (9th to 12th grade)
- Shell Knob School District No. 78 in Shell Knob
- Shell Knob Elementary School (Kindergarten to 8th grade)
- Southwest R-V School District in Washburn
- Southwest Elementary School (Pre-K to 4th grade)
- Southwest Middle School (5th to 8th grade)
- Southwest High School (9th to 12th grade)
- Wheaton R-III School District in Wheaton
- Wheaton Elementary School (Pre-K to 6th grade)
- Wheaton High School (7th to 12th grade)
Private Schools
- St. Lawrence Catholic School in Monett (Kindergarten to 6th grade) – This school is part of the Roman Catholic faith.
Public Libraries
- Barry-Lawrence Regional Library helps people in Barry County find books and information.
Towns and Villages in Barry County
Barry County has many different types of communities, from bigger cities to smaller villages and other places where people live.
Cities
Villages
Census-Designated Places (CDPs)
These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated as cities or villages.
- Eagle Rock
- Golden
- Shell Knob (partly in Stone County)
Other Communities (Unincorporated)
These are smaller places where people live that are not part of a city or village government.
Townships
Barry County is divided into 25 smaller areas called townships. These help organize the county's land.
Famous People from Barry County
Some well-known people have connections to Barry County:
- Clete Boyer – A famous baseball player.
- Scott Fitzpatrick – He serves as the Missouri State Treasurer.
- Don Johnson – A popular actor.
- Curtis F. Marbut – He was a director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Barry (Misuri) para niños
