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Caldwell County, Missouri

Coordinates: 39°40′N 93°59′W / 39.66°N 93.98°W / 39.66; -93.98
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Caldwell County
County
Caldwell County courthouse in Kingston
Caldwell County courthouse in Kingston
Map of Missouri highlighting Caldwell County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°40′N 93°59′W / 39.66°N 93.98°W / 39.66; -93.98
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 29, 1836
Named forJohn Caldwell
SeatKingston
Largest cityHamilton
Area
 • Total430 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land426 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water3.2 sq mi (8 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,815
 • Density21/sq mi (7.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.caldwellco.missouri.org

Caldwell County is a county located in Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 8,815. It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.[1] Its county seat is Kingston.[2] The county was organized December 29, 1836, and named by Alexander Doniphan to honor John Caldwell, who participated in George Rogers Clark's Native American Campaign of 1786 and was the second Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.

Caldwell County was originally established as a haven for Mormons, who had been driven from Jackson County in November 1833, and had been refugees in adjacent Clay County since. The county was one of the principal settings of the 1838 Missouri Mormon War, which led to the expulsion of all Latter Day Saints from Missouri, following the issuance of an "extermination order" by then–Governor Lilburn Boggs.

History

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Mormon settlement

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Monument at the temple site in Far West, Missouri.

Caldwell County was originally part of Ray County. The first white settler was Jesse Mann Sr., who settled one-half mile northeast of the public square of Kingston on Shoal Creek in 1831. The early settlers moved back south in 1832 for better protection during the Black Hawk War uprising.

A few Mormon settlers, who had been evicted from Jackson County, Missouri, moved into the county in 1832, and included Jacob Hawn, whose mill on Shoal Creek would become the scene of the bloodiest incident in the Mormon War, known as the Hawn's Mill Massacre.

The settlers established Salem, the first town in the county, two miles southeast of Kingston. A larger number of Mormons moved to the county in the fall of 1836. The Missouri General Assembly created Caldwell County in December 1836, with the understanding that it would be dedicated to Mormon settlers. Its county seat was Far West, Missouri. By 1838 Far West reported a population of 4,000.[3]

The major figures of early Mormon history, including Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Edward Partridge, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt and John D. Lee, were included in the migration.

Mormon War

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Mormon settlers moved further north into Daviess County, particularly at Adam-ondi-Ahman, after Smith proclaimed that it was the Biblical place where Adam and Eve were banished after leaving the Garden of Eden. He said it would be a gathering place on the Judgement Day. The Mormon War erupted following a skirmish between original Missouri settlers and Mormon settlers in the Gallatin Election Day Battle.

After the Missouri militia was routed in the Battle of Crooked Creek, Governor Lilburn Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order 44 (Mormon Extermination Order) to evict the Mormons from the state. Three days later, a group from Livingston County killed 18 Mormons in the Hawn's Mill massacre. Troops laid siege to Far West, where Smith surrendered in October 1838. The settlers agreed to leave; they abandoned Far West and initially regrouped in Quincy, Illinois, for the winter of 1838–39. The following spring, they founded Nauvoo, Illinois.

Following the dissolution of Far West, the county seat was moved to present-day Kingston.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 430 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 426 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

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[5]

Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,458—
18502,31058.4%
18605,034117.9%
187011,390126.3%
188013,64619.8%
189015,15211.0%
190016,6569.9%
191014,605−12.3%
192013,849−5.2%
193012,509−9.7%
194011,629−7.0%
19509,929−14.6%
19608,830−11.1%
19708,351−5.4%
19808,6603.7%
19908,380−3.2%
20008,9697.0%
20109,4245.1%
20208,815−6.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 8,969 people, 3,523 households, and 2,501 families residing in the county. The population density was 8/km2 (21/sq mi). There were 4,493 housing units at an average density of 4/km2 (10/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,523 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.50% 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 2.51, and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,240, and the median income for a family was $37,087. Males had a median income of $28,710 versus $19,523 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,343. 11.90% of the population and 9.70% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.10% of those under the age of 18 and 12.90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

2020 Census

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Caldwell County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 8,172 93%
Black or African American (NH) 65 1%
Native American (NH) 34 0.4%
Asian (NH) 26 0.3%
Pacific Islander (NH) 7 0.08%
Other/Mixed (NH) 360 4.1%
Hispanic or Latino 151 1.7%

Education

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Public Schools

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Public libraries

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  • Breckenridge Public Library[13]
  • Hamilton Public Library[14]

Communities

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Cities

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Ghost town

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Townships

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Caldwell County is divided into 12 townships

Unincorporated Communities

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Notable people

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Politics

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Local

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The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Caldwell County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.

Caldwell County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Beverly Alden Republican
Circuit Clerk Carrie Miller Democratic
County Clerk Christine Owen Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 C.R. (Bud) Motsinger Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Jonathan Abbott Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Rex J. Hibler Republican
Coroner Dana Brown Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Brady C. Kopek Republican
Public Administrator Richard Lee Republican
Recorder Julie Hill Republican
Sheriff Mitchell K. Allen Republican
Treasurer June Grooms Republican

State

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Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.48% 3,603 19.70% 916 2.82% 131
2016 63.10% 2,276 33.40% 1,443 3.50% 151
2012 50.39% 2,092 45.33% 1,882 4.29% 178
2008 44.58% 2,014 52.26% 2,361 3.16% 143
2004 56.40% 2,419 41.87% 1,796 1.73% 74
2000 52.01% 2,006 44.10% 1,701 3.89% 150
1996 38.04% 1,314 58.80% 2,031 3.16% 109

All of Caldwell County is a part of Missouri's 8th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Randy Railsback (R-Hamilton).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Caldwell County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Randy Railsback 4,203 100.00% +21.81
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Caldwell County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James W. (Jim) Neely 2,907 78.19% −21.81
Democratic Caleb McKnight 811 21.81% +21.81

All of Caldwell County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).

Missouri Senate — District 21 — Caldwell County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Denny Hoskins 3,651 83.55% +10.57
Libertarian Mark Bliss 719 16.46% +10.05
Missouri Senate — District 21 — Caldwell County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Denny Hoskins 3,039 72.98% +6.24
Democratic ElGene Ver Dught 858 20.61% −5.37
Libertarian Bill Wayne 267 6.41% −0.87

Federal

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All of Caldwell County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.

U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 6th Congressional District – Caldwell County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 3,693 80.23% +3.27
Democratic Gena L. Ross 769 16.69% −3.45
Libertarian Jim Higgins 142 3.09% +0.19
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 6th Congressional District – Caldwell County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 2,893 76.96% +2.34
Democratic Henry Robert Martin 757 20.14% −0.09
Libertarian Dan Hogan 109 2.90% −0.71

Caldwell County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

U.S. Senate – Class I – Caldwell County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 2,558 67.71% +22.23
Democratic Claire McCaskill 1,022 27.05% −17.27
Independent Craig O'Dear 102 2.70%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 70 1.85% −8.36
Green Jo Crain 26 0.69% +0.69

Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

U.S. Senate — Class III — Caldwell County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 2,513 58.25% +12.77
Democratic Jason Kander 1,517 35.16% −9.15
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 153 3.55% −6.66
Green Johnathan McFarland 78 1.81% +1.81
Constitution Fred Ryman 53 1.23% +1.23
United States presidential election results for Caldwell County, Missouri[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,725 79.32% 897 19.10% 74 1.58%
2016 3,232 74.95% 838 19.43% 242 5.61%
2012 2,721 65.30% 1,312 31.49% 134 3.22%
2008 2,654 58.15% 1,814 39.75% 96 2.10%
2004 2,593 60.75% 1,645 38.54% 30 0.70%
2000 2,220 57.66% 1,488 38.65% 142 3.69%
1996 1,464 42.21% 1,487 42.88% 517 14.91%
1992 1,295 31.94% 1,456 35.91% 1,304 32.16%
1988 2,074 54.38% 1,726 45.25% 14 0.37%
1984 2,678 65.96% 1,382 34.04% 0 0.00%
1980 2,551 60.36% 1,541 36.46% 134 3.17%
1976 2,094 49.47% 2,113 49.92% 26 0.61%
1972 3,167 72.01% 1,231 27.99% 0 0.00%
1968 2,631 57.81% 1,490 32.74% 430 9.45%
1964 2,125 46.20% 2,475 53.80% 0 0.00%
1960 3,115 64.21% 1,736 35.79% 0 0.00%
1956 3,216 62.51% 1,929 37.49% 0 0.00%
1952 3,755 66.83% 1,860 33.10% 4 0.07%
1948 2,687 57.46% 1,985 42.45% 4 0.09%
1944 3,384 62.75% 2,001 37.10% 8 0.15%
1940 3,976 59.23% 2,728 40.64% 9 0.13%
1936 3,792 55.66% 3,014 44.24% 7 0.10%
1932 2,688 47.35% 2,949 51.95% 40 0.70%
1928 4,167 65.82% 2,164 34.18% 0 0.00%
1924 3,545 58.66% 2,383 39.43% 115 1.90%
1920 4,168 62.32% 2,498 37.35% 22 0.33%
1916 2,069 54.74% 1,683 44.52% 28 0.74%
1912 1,187 32.31% 1,483 40.36% 1,004 27.33%
1908 2,161 57.55% 1,540 41.01% 54 1.44%
1904 2,276 60.92% 1,350 36.13% 110 2.94%
1900 2,235 54.81% 1,722 42.23% 121 2.97%
1896 2,115 50.18% 2,053 48.71% 47 1.12%
1892 1,750 47.17% 1,388 37.41% 572 15.42%
1888 1,853 51.60% 1,528 42.55% 210 5.85%

Missouri presidential preference primaries

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2020

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The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Caldwell County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Caldwell County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 334 60.62
Democratic Bernie Sanders 158 28.68
Democratic Tulsi Gabbard 9 1.63
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 50 9.07

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Caldwell County and statewide by overwhelming margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Caldwell County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 692 97.06
Republican Bill Weld 8 1.12
Republican Others/Uncommitted 13 1.82

2016

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The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, as well as a plurality of the vote in Caldwell County.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Caldwell County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 780 43.67
Republican Ted Cruz 701 39.25
Republican John Kasich 149 8.34
Republican Marco Rubio 96 5.38
Republican Others/Uncommitted 60 3.36

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won statewide by a small margin, but lost Caldwell County to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Caldwell County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bernie Sanders 314 55.58
Democratic Hillary Clinton 244 43.19
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 7 1.24

2012

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The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Caldwell County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected delegations favoring Romney.

2008

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In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Caldwell County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain 363 36.05
Republican Mike Huckabee 302 29.99
Republican Mitt Romney 242 24.03
Republican Ron Paul 77 7.65
Republican Others/Uncommitted 23 2.28

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Caldwell County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Caldwell County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 616 59.40
Democratic Barack Obama 379 36.55
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 42 4.06

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ [1] Archived September 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "MoDOT Traveler Information Map". traveler.modot.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Archived from the original on July 31, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Caldwell County, Missouri". Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Breckenridge Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Hamilton Public Library". Libraries.org. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

Sources

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Media related to Caldwell County, Missouri at Wikimedia Commons

39°40′N 93°59′W / 39.66°N 93.98°W / 39.66; -93.98

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