Christian County, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian County
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The Historic Christian County Courthouse in Ozark
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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 | March 8, 1859 |
| Named for | William Christian |
| Seat | Ozark |
| Largest city | Nixa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 564 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
| • Land | 563 sq mi (1,460 km2) |
| • Water | 1.2 sq mi (3 km2) 0.2% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 88,842 |
| • Density | 157.52/sq mi (60.82/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
Christian County is a place in the southwestern part of Missouri, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 88,842 people lived there. The main town, or county seat, is Ozark.
The county was started in 1859. It was named after Christian County in Kentucky. That county was named for William Christian, a soldier from Kentucky who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Christian County is part of the larger Springfield area. Between 2000 and 2010, it grew faster than any other county in Missouri. It became more like a suburb because the city of Springfield was growing so much.
Contents
What is Christian County Like?
Where is Christian County Located?
Christian County covers about 564 square miles. Most of this area is land, with only a small part being water. The land in the county is mostly rolling hills. The James River and parts of the White River flow through it.
Neighboring Areas
Christian County shares borders with these other counties:
- Greene County (to the north)
- Webster County (to the northeast)
- Douglas County (to the east)
- Taney County (to the south)
- Stone County (to the southwest)
- Lawrence County (to the west)
Main Roads in Christian County
Important roads that help people travel through Christian County include:
- U.S. Route 60
- U.S. Route 65
- U.S. Route 160
- Route 13
- Route 14
- Route 125
Protected Natural Areas
A part of the Mark Twain National Forest is located in Christian County. This is a large area of protected land.
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 5,491 | — | |
| 1870 | 6,707 | 22.1% | |
| 1880 | 9,628 | 43.6% | |
| 1890 | 14,017 | 45.6% | |
| 1900 | 16,939 | 20.8% | |
| 1910 | 15,832 | −6.5% | |
| 1920 | 15,252 | −3.7% | |
| 1930 | 13,169 | −13.7% | |
| 1940 | 13,538 | 2.8% | |
| 1950 | 12,412 | −8.3% | |
| 1960 | 12,359 | −0.4% | |
| 1970 | 15,124 | 22.4% | |
| 1980 | 22,402 | 48.1% | |
| 1990 | 32,644 | 45.7% | |
| 2000 | 54,285 | 66.3% | |
| 2010 | 77,422 | 42.6% | |
| 2020 | 88,842 | 14.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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Christian County has grown a lot over the years. In 1860, there were about 5,491 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 88,842. This shows how much the county has changed and developed.
Learning and Schools
Public Schools in Christian County
Christian County has several public school districts. These districts serve students from kindergarten all the way through high school. Some of the main school districts include:
- Billings R-IV School District in Billings
- Chadwick R-I School District in Chadwick
- Clever R-V School District in Clever
- Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District in Rogersville
- Nixa R-II School District in Nixa
- Ozark R-VI School District in Ozark
- Sparta R-III School District in Sparta
- Spokane R-VII School District in Spokane
Private Schools
There is also a private school in Spokane called Faith Christian School. It teaches students from preschool to 12th grade.
Colleges and Universities
For higher education, students can attend the Richwood Valley Campus of Ozarks Technical Community College. This is a public college.
Christian County Libraries
How Libraries Serve the Community
The Christian County Library System has three public library branches. These libraries offer books, movies, music, and special programs for people of all ages. They also provide printing services and free WiFi. You can find branches in Ozark, Nixa, and Clever.
In 2019, the library system announced plans to build even more branches. This will help more people in the county have easy access to library services.
Why New Libraries are Being Built
In 2017, voters in Christian County approved a small property tax. This tax helps pay for the libraries. Before this tax, the county only had one library branch. With the new tax, the library can build and open new locations. This is important because the county's population is growing. The goal is for most people in Christian County to live within five miles of a library. The original Ozark branch also got a makeover thanks to this tax.
Towns and Communities
Christian County has several towns and communities. The largest city is Nixa, and the county seat is Ozark.
Cities in Christian County
- Billings
- Clever
- Fremont Hills
- Highlandville
- Nixa (largest city)
- Ozark (county seat)
- Republic (mostly in Greene County)
- Sparta
- Springfield (mostly in Greene County)
Villages
Census-Designated Places
Other Communities
These are smaller, unincorporated communities in the county:
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Christian (Misuri) para niños
