Barton County, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barton County
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Barton County Courthouse in Lamar
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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 | December 12, 1855 |
| Named for | David Barton |
| Seat | Lamar |
| Largest city | Lamar |
| Area | |
| • Total | 597 sq mi (1,550 km2) |
| • Land | 592 sq mi (1,530 km2) |
| • Water | 4.8 sq mi (12 km2) 0.8% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,637 |
| • Density | 19.492/sq mi (7.526/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Barton County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,637. Its county seat is Lamar. The county was organized in 1855 and named after U.S. Senator David Barton from Missouri.
President Harry S. Truman was born in Barton County in 1884. The female bandit, Little Britches, was born in Barton County in 1879.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 597 square miles (1,550 km2), of which 592 square miles (1,530 km2) is land and 4.8 square miles (12 km2) (0.8%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Vernon County (north)
- Cedar County (northeast)
- Dade County (east)
- Jasper County (south)
- Crawford County, Kansas (west)
Major highways
Interstate 49
U.S. Route 71
U.S. Route 160
Route 43
Route 126
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Airport
Lamar Municipal Airport (LLU) serves the county and surrounding communities.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,817 | — | |
| 1870 | 4,285 | 135.8% | |
| 1880 | 10,332 | 141.1% | |
| 1890 | 18,504 | 79.1% | |
| 1900 | 18,253 | −1.4% | |
| 1910 | 16,747 | −8.3% | |
| 1920 | 16,879 | 0.8% | |
| 1930 | 14,560 | −13.7% | |
| 1940 | 14,148 | −2.8% | |
| 1950 | 12,678 | −10.4% | |
| 1960 | 11,113 | −12.3% | |
| 1970 | 10,431 | −6.1% | |
| 1980 | 11,292 | 8.3% | |
| 1990 | 11,312 | 0.2% | |
| 2000 | 12,541 | 10.9% | |
| 2010 | 12,402 | −1.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 12,541 people, 4,895 households, and 3,441 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 5,409 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.93% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.83% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,895 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,275, and the median income for a family was $35,638. Males had a median income of $25,254 versus $19,663 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,987. About 11.00% of families and 13.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.90% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Barton County is regarded as a part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Barton County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (29.18%), United Methodists (26.59%), and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (12.96%).
Communities
Cities
- Golden City
- Lamar (county seat)
- Liberal
- Mindenmines
Villages
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated places
Townships
Barton County is divided into fifteen townships:
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Education
Public schools
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- Liberal Elementary School (PK-05)
- Liberal Middle School (06-08)
- Liberal High School (09-12)
- Lamar East Primary School (K-02)
- Lamar Elementary School (03-05)
- Lamar Middle School (06-08)
- Lamar High School (09-12)
- Golden City R-III School District - Golden City
- Golden City Elementary School (PK-06)
- Golden City High School (07-12)
Public libraries
- Barton County Library
- Sheldon City Library
Notable people
- Blaine Durbin — Major League Baseball player with Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates in early 20th century
- Wyatt Earp and family — famous frontier lawman
- Bob Harmon, Major League Baseball player with St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in early 20th century
- Charles Henry Morgan — U.S. Representative from Missouri as both a Democrat (1875–79, 1883–85) and a Republican (1909–11)
- Harry S. Truman — 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953); 34th Vice President of the United States (1945-1945), became president upon death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1945; U.S. Senator (D-Missouri) (1935-1945)
