Vernon County, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon County
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Vernon County Courthouse
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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 | 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)
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| • Total | 21,159 |
| • Density | 25.280/sq mi (9.760/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
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. Its county seat is Nevada. The county was organized on February 27, 1855, considerably later than counties in the eastern part of the state. It was named for Colonel Miles Vernon (1786–1867), a state senator and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans. This was part of the large historic territory of the Osage Nation of Native Americans.
Contents
History
Vernon County suffered considerable damage during the American Civil War. The courthouse was burned by Union Army soldiers on May 23, 1863, along with the entire town of Nevada. The present courthouse dates to 1907. Vernon County was one of four Missouri counties that were completely depopulated by Union General Thomas Ewing's notorious General Order No. 11 (1863). Most of the inhabitants would not be allowed to return to their homes until after the Civil War ended in May 1865.
Geography
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.
Adjacent counties
- 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
Interstate 49
U.S. Route 54
U.S. Route 71
Route 43
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Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| 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 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015 |
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As of the census 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.
Communities
Townships
- 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
Other communities
- Bronaugh
- Deerfield
- Harwood
- Horton
- Metz
- Milo
- Montevallo
- Moundville
- Nevada (county seat)
- Richards
- Schell City
- Sheldon
- Stotesbury
- Walker
Education
Public schools
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- Bronaugh Elementary School (PK-06)
- Bronaugh High School (07-12)
- 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
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- Northeast Vernon County Elementary School (PK-06)
- Northeast Vernon County High School (07-12)
- Sheldon Elementary School (PK-06)
- Sheldon High School (07-12)
Private schools
- Nevada Seventh-day Adventist Christian School – Nevada (02-07) – Seventh-day Adventist
Colleges and universities
- Cottey College – Nevada A private, four-year college for women.
Public libraries
- Nevada Public Library
Images for kids
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A boardwalk allows visitors to explore a restored wetland at Four Rivers Conservation Area in northern Vernon County
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Vernon (Misuri) para niños
