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 located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 88,842. Its county seat is Ozark. The county was organized in 1859 and is named after Christian County, Kentucky, which in turn is named for William Christian, a Kentucky soldier of the American Revolutionary War.
Christian County is part of the Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Between 2000 and 2010, it was the fastest-growing county in the state and one of the fastest growing ones in the nation as the county became more suburban due to the booming growth in Springfield.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is water. The county is drained by James River and branches of the White River. The surface is undulating or hilly.
Adjacent counties
- Greene County (north)
- Webster County (northeast)
- Douglas County (east)
- Taney County (south)
- Stone County (southwest)
- Lawrence County (west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 60
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 160
Route 13
Route 14
Route 125
National protected area
- Mark Twain National Forest (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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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As of the census of 2000, there were 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 96 inhabitants per square mile (37/km2). There were 21,827 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of American, 21.1% German, 12.3% English and 11.3% Irish ancestry.
There were 20,425 households, out of which 38.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $50,200, and the median income for a family was $58,806. Males had a median income of $31,929 versus $21,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
2020 Census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 78,890 | 88.8% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 597 | 0.7% |
| Native American (NH) | 468 | 0.53% |
| Asian (NH) | 624 | 0.7% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 68 | 0.08% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 5,183 | 5.83% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 3,012 | 3.4% |
Education
Public schools
- Billings R-IV School District - Billings
- Billings Elementary School (PK-06)
- Billings High School (07-12)
- Chadwick R-I School District - Chadwick
- Chadwick Elementary School (PK-06)
- Chadwick High School (07-12)
- Clever R-V School District - Clever
- Clever EleMiddle School (PK-08)
- Clever High School (09-12)
- Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District - Rogersville
- Logan-Rogersville Primary School - (PK-01)
- Logan-Rogersville Elementary School - (02-03)
- Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary School - (04-06)
- Logan-Rogersville Middle School - (07-08)
- Logan-Rogersville High School - (09-12)
- Nixa R-II School District - Nixa
- Nixa Early Childhood Center (PK)
- High Pointe Elementary School (K-04)
- Mathews Elementary School (K-04)
- Century Elementary School (K-04)
- Espy Elementary School (K-04)
- John Thomas School of Discovery (K-06)
- Nicholas A. Inman Intermediate School (05-06)
- Summit Intermediate School (05-06)
- Nixa Jr. High School (07-08)
- Nixa Public High School (09-12)
- Ozark R-VI School District - Ozark
- North Elementary School (K-04)
- East Elementary School (K-04)
- West Elementary School (K-04)
- South Elementary School (K-04)
- Upper Elementary School (05-06)
- Ozark Jr. High School (07-08)
- Ozark High School (09-12)
- Sparta R-III School District - Sparta
- Sparta Elementary School (PK-05)
- Sparta Middle School (06-08)
- Sparta High School (09-12)
- Spokane R-VII School District - Spokane
- Highlandville Elementary School (PK-05) - Highlandville
- Spokane Middle School (06-08)
- Spokane High School (09-12)
Private schools
- Faith Christian School - Spokane - (PK-12) - Baptist
Colleges and universities
- Ozarks Technical Community College - Richwood Valley Campus - Public
Public libraries
Christian County Library System
Christian County currently has three public library branches that serve the community. The Christian County Library (CCL) operates these branches. The library offers residents books, A/V materials, programming, printing, and WiFi access. There is a branch in Ozark, Nixa, and Clever. In August 2019, the library announced the continuation of their expansion to the public. Construction is set to begin on at least one new library branch by spring 2020.
Tax approval
On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, voters in Christian County approved to instate a 20-cent property tax levy. Sixty-eight percent of the voters approved the tax. Before this tax, the library was only able to operate one branch for the whole county. To accommodate new housing and population growth in the county, CCL announced their intentions to construct and/or open new branches around the county. The tax approval also allowed for a renovation of the original Ozark Branch. CCL expects eighty-five percent of the population in Christian County to be within a five-mile radius of the library after all intended branches are opened.
| Position Held | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Ken Barthelette |
| Vice President | Loretta Hermann |
| Treasurer | Maurine Myers |
| Secretary | Heather Davidson |
| Member at Large | Christa Mitchell |
- Christian County Library
- Billings City Library
Public safety
- Billings Fire Protection District
- Billings Police Department
- Chadwick Fire Protection District - Chadwick
- Christian County Ambulance District
- Christian County Sheriff's Department
- Clever Fire Protection District
- Clever Police Department
- Highlandville Fire Protection District
- Highlandville Police Department
- Nixa Fire Protection District
- Nixa Police Department
- Ozark Fire Protection District
- Ozark Police Department
- Sparta Fire Protection District
- Sparta Police Department
Communities
Cities
- Billings
- Clever
- Fremont Hills
- Highlandville
- Nixa (largest city)
- Ozark (county seat)
- Republic (mostly in Greene County)
- Sparta
- Springfield (mostly in Greene County)
Village
- Saddlebrooke (small portion in Taney County)
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated communities
Townships
- Billings Township
- Chadwick Township
- East Benton Township
- Finley Township
- Garrison Township
- Lead Hill Township
- Lincoln Township
- Linden Township
- McCracken Township
- North Galloway Township
- North Linn Township
- Oldfield Township
- Polk Township
- Porter Township
- Seneca Township
- South Galloway Township
- South Linn Township
- Sparta Township
- West Benton Township
In popular culture
The Christian County chapter of the Bald Knobbers created the distinctive masks that the group has become known for, despite the original Taney County chapter never adopting such masks. This masked depiction is what would eventually be used in the book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright. The book would later be adapted to film and the stage. This masked depiction can also be seen on the ride Fire in the Hole located at Silver Dollar City.
Jason Bourne, the main protagonist of the Bourne film franchise was from Nixa, the largest city in Christian County.
The 2010 film Winter's Bone was filmed entirely in Taney County and Christian County. Many locals were cast in significant roles in the film.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Christian (Misuri) para niños
