Ray County
County
Ray County Courthouse
Ray County Courthouse
Map of Missouri highlighting Ray 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°21′N 93°59′W / 39.35°N 93.99°W / 39.35; -93.99
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedNovember 16, 1820
Named forJohn Ray, Missouri state legislator
SeatRichmond
Largest cityRichmond
Area
 • Total574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water5.1 sq mi (13 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total23,158
 • Density40/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.raycountymo.com

Ray County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,158.[1] Its county seat is Richmond.[2] The county was organized November 16, 1820 and named for John Ray, a Missouri state legislator and member of the first state Constitutional Convention.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 569 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 5.4 square miles (14 km2) (0.9%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18302,657—
18406,553146.6%
185010,37358.3%
186014,09235.9%
187018,70032.7%
188020,1908.0%
189024,21519.9%
190024,8052.4%
191021,451−13.5%
192020,508−4.4%
193019,846−3.2%
194018,584−6.4%
195015,932−14.3%
196016,0750.9%
197017,5999.5%
198021,37821.5%
199021,9712.8%
200023,3546.3%
201023,4940.6%
202023,158−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2015[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 23,354 people, 8,743 households, and 6,539 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile (6.2 people/km2). There were 9,371 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.50% White, 1.46% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.6% were of American, 23.3% German, 11.5% English and 10.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 8,743 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.10% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% 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 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,886, and the median income for a family was $49,192. Males had a median income of $36,815 versus $21,684 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,685. About 5.30% of families and 6.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Ray County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 20,893 90.22%
Black or African American (NH) 227 1%
Native American (NH) 133 0.57%
Asian (NH) 76 0.33%
Pacific Islander (NH) 8 0.04%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,241 5.4%
Hispanic or Latino 580 2.5%

Education

Public schools

  • Hardin-Central C-2 School District – Hardin
    • Hardin-Central Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Hardin-Central High School (07-12)
  • Lawson R-XIV School District – Lawson
    • Southwest Elementary School (PK-04)
    • Lawson Middle School (05-08)
    • Lawson High School (09-12)
  • Orrick R-XI School District – Orrick
    • Orrick Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Orrick High School (07-12)
  • Richmond R-XVI School District – Richmond
    • Dear Elementary School (PK-01)
    • Sunrise Elementary School (02-05)
    • Richmond Middle School (06-08)
    • Richmond High School (09-12)

Public libraries

  • Ray County Library[12]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Notable people

Politics

Local

Politics at the local level in Ray County are now evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans making major gains in the past four election cycles, going from no representation before 2011 to now holding half of the county offices.

Ray County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Kent Wollard Democratic
Circuit Clerk Carolyne Conner Democratic
County Clerk Glenda Powell Republican
Collector Julie Chowning Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Gary Wilhite Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Allen Dale Democratic
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Jerry Bishop Republican
Coroner Bart Willem Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Camille Johnston Republican
Public Administrator Shannon Wollard Republican
Recorder Shirley O’Dell Democratic
Sheriff Scott Childers Republican
Surveyor Thomas Sisco Democratic
Treasurer Melissa Holloway Independent

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 68.93% 7,964 28.38% 3,279 2.68% 310
2016 52.51% 5,686 43.58% 4,719 3.91% 423
2012 41.26% 4,252 55.53% 5,722 3.21% 331
2008 35.73% 3,899 61.13% 6,670 3.14% 343
2004 47.08% 5,073 51.33% 5,531 1.59% 172
2000 41.75% 4,045 55.81% 5,407 2.44% 237
1996 28.31% 2,475 69.26% 6,055 2.43% 212
1992 37.6% 3,578 62.4% 5,937 N/A
1988 56.26% 4,859 43.01% 3,714 0.73% 63

The northwest corner of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 8th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Jim Neely (R-Cameron).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Ray County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James W. (Jim) Neely 1,294 100.00% +32.60
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Ray County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James W. (Jim) Neely 548 67.40% +12.22
Democratic Ted Rights 265 32.60% -12.22
Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Ray County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James W. (Jim) Neely 788 55.18%
Democratic James T. (Jim) Crenshaw 640 44.82%

Most of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 39th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is currently represented by Joe Don McGaugh (R-Carrollton).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 39 — Ray County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joe Don McGaugh 7,741 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 39 — Ray County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joe Don McGaugh 4,583 100.00% +50.64
Missouri House of Representatives — District 39 — Ray County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joe Don McGaugh 4,176 49.36%
Democratic Will Talbert 4,285 50.64%

All of Ray 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 — Ray County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Denny Hoskins 6,408 61.80% +4.37
Democratic ElGene Ver Dught 3,346 32.27% -4.99
Libertarian Bill Wayne 615 5.93% +0.62
Missouri Senate — District 21 — Ray County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican David Pearce 5,679 57.43%
Democratic ElGene Ver Dught 3,684 37.26%
Libertarian Steven Hedrick 525 5.31%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Ray County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 5,415 50.10% +11.60
Democratic Jason Kander 4,725 43.71% -9.16
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 390 3.61% -5.02
Green Johnathan McFarland 119 1.10% +1.10
Constitution Fred Ryman 159 1.47% +1.47
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Ray County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 3,960 38.50%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 5,439 52.87%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 888 8.63%

All of Ray County is included in Missouri's 5th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Emanuel Cleaver (D-Kansas City) in the United States House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Ray County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Emanuel Cleaver 4,394 41.10% +1.71
Republican Jacob Turk 5,895 55.14% -0.42
Libertarian Roy Welborn 402 3.76% -1.29
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Ray County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Emanuel Cleaver 2,506 39.39% -7.66
Republican Jacob Turk 3,535 55.56% +6.16
Libertarian Roy Welborn 321 5.05% +1.50
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 5th Congressional District — Ray County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Emanuel Cleaver 4,778 47.05%
Republican Jacob Turk 5,017 49.40%
Libertarian Randy Langkraehr 361 3.55
United States presidential election results for Ray County, Missouri[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 8,345 71.48% 3,109 26.63% 221 1.89%
2016 7,104 64.91% 3,090 28.23% 751 6.86%
2012 5,815 56.09% 4,275 41.24% 277 2.67%
2008 5,593 50.60% 5,241 47.42% 219 1.98%
2004 5,673 52.59% 5,034 46.66% 81 0.75%
2000 4,517 46.34% 4,970 50.99% 260 2.67%
1996 2,884 32.82% 4,714 53.65% 1,189 13.53%
1992 2,563 26.64% 4,457 46.33% 2,600 27.03%
1988 3,763 43.44% 4,879 56.33% 20 0.23%
1984 4,875 55.06% 3,979 44.94% 0 0.00%
1980 4,064 45.81% 4,518 50.93% 289 3.26%
1976 2,853 33.72% 5,535 65.42% 73 0.86%
1972 4,205 59.65% 2,844 40.35% 0 0.00%
1968 2,587 35.90% 3,541 49.14% 1,078 14.96%
1964 1,734 25.05% 5,189 74.95% 0 0.00%
1960 3,542 43.69% 4,565 56.31% 0 0.00%
1956 3,041 39.61% 4,636 60.39% 0 0.00%
1952 3,349 40.64% 4,869 59.09% 22 0.27%
1948 2,102 30.30% 4,826 69.57% 9 0.13%
1944 3,094 40.57% 4,521 59.28% 12 0.16%
1940 3,399 36.94% 5,786 62.88% 16 0.17%
1936 2,805 30.74% 6,300 69.05% 19 0.21%
1932 1,706 21.74% 6,088 77.59% 52 0.66%
1928 3,280 41.70% 4,570 58.10% 16 0.20%
1924 2,753 34.24% 4,989 62.04% 299 3.72%
1920 3,228 39.53% 4,865 59.58% 72 0.88%
1916 1,718 33.28% 3,380 65.47% 65 1.26%
1912 1,192 24.18% 3,042 61.70% 696 14.12%
1908 1,914 37.74% 3,043 60.00% 115 2.27%
1904 1,792 38.86% 2,744 59.51% 75 1.63%
1900 2,004 35.02% 3,631 63.46% 87 1.52%
1896 2,003 33.31% 3,945 65.60% 66 1.10%
1892 1,643 32.29% 3,250 63.86% 196 3.85%
1888 1,796 35.17% 3,181 62.29% 130 2.55%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1917). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 344.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  8. ↑ "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 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 29, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ray County, Missouri".
  12. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Ray County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

39°21′N 93°59′W / 39.35°N 93.99°W / 39.35; -93.99

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