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Putnam County, Missouri

Coordinates: 40°29′N 93°01′W / 40.48°N 93.02°W / 40.48; -93.02
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Putnam County
County
Putnam County Courthouse in Unionville
Putnam County Courthouse in Unionville
Map of Missouri highlighting Putnam County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°29′N 93°01′W / 40.48°N 93.02°W / 40.48; -93.02
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedFebruary 28, 1845
Named forIsrael Putnam
SeatUnionville
Largest cityUnionville
Area
 • Total520 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Land517 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,681
 • Density9.0/sq mi (3.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitenemr.net/~putco/

Putnam County is a county in north central Missouri. At the 2020 census, the population was 4,681.[1] Its county seat is Unionville.[2] The county was organized February 28, 1845, and named for Israel Putnam, a hero in the French and Indian War and a general in the American Revolutionary War.[3]

Putnam County was established February 28, 1845, from parts of Adair and Sullivan counties. The following year a portion of Putnam was removed to form Dodge County. Both Putnam and Dodge extended nearly nine miles further north until an 1851 ruling by the Supreme Court on a border dispute with Iowa assigned the contested land to Iowa. Both counties were left with less than the statutory minimum area for a county as set by the state legislature, so Dodge County was dissolved and its area added to Putnam.[4]

In its early years, the county seat changed frequently, often with contentious debate. Putnamville, Bryant Station (both no longer in existence), and Hartford all served until a central location called Harmony, later renamed Unionville, was chosen.[5]

In the 1860 U.S. Census Putnam County had 9,240 residents, with eighteen sawmills and three flour mills.[6] Coal had been an abundant since its earliest settlement. Following the arrival of the Burlington & Southwestern Railway in 1873, coal mining became a major industry, especially in the east of the county. At one time three railroads crossed Putnam county: the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul; the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy; and the Iowa and St. Louis.[7] Putnam County lost over two-thirds of its population between the years 1900 and 2000 (see census data below), when the United States changed from a rural to an urban country.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 517 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.4%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,636—
18609,207462.8%
187011,21721.8%
188013,55520.8%
189015,36513.4%
190016,6688.5%
191014,308−14.2%
192013,115−8.3%
193011,503−12.3%
194011,327−1.5%
19509,166−19.1%
19606,999−23.6%
19705,916−15.5%
19806,0923.0%
19905,079−16.6%
20005,2232.8%
20104,979−4.7%
20204,681−6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2015[13]

As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 4,979 people, 2,228 households, and 1,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km2). There were 2,914 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.14% White, 0.06% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Approximately 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,228 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 20.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,282, and the median income for a family was $32,031. Males had a median income of $22,957 versus $18,884 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,647. About 13.20% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.60% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

  • Pre-1900 data from A History of Northeast Missouri, Published 1913

2020 Census

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Putnam County Racial Composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 4,446 95%
Black or African American (NH) 11 0.23%
Native American (NH) 5 0.1%
Asian (NH) 0 0%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 107 2.3%
Hispanic or Latino 112 2.4%

Education

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Public schools

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  • Putnam County Elementary School (PK-05)
  • Putnam County Middle School (06-08)
  • Putnam County High School (09-12)

Public libraries

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  • Putnam County Public Library[16]

Communities

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City

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Villages

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Local

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

Putnam County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Paul L. Rouse Republican
Circuit Clerk Mitzi D. Shipley Republican
County Clerk Chrystal Perkins Republican
Collector Sharon Thompson Parks Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Randy Sands Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Shane Bradshaw Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Gerald Owings Republican
Coroner Jennifer Gilworth Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Tom Keedy Republican
Public Administrator Nancy Mikels Republican
Recorder Jeneen Roof Republican
Sheriff Jason Knight Republican
Surveyor J. Scott Cline Republican
Treasurer Sharon Thompson Parks Republican

State

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Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 85.15% 1,984 13.86% 323 0.99% 23
2016 73.84% 1,691 23.89% 547 2.27% 52
2012 65.53% 1,485 32.04% 726 2.43% 55
2008 64.43% 1,467 32.85% 748 2.72% 62
2004 72.75% 1,757 25.84% 624 1.41% 34
2000 66.42% 1,531 32.62% 752 0.95% 22
1996 41.71% 898 56.71% 1,332 1.58% 34

All of Putnam County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Nate Walker (R-Kirksville).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 3 — Putnam County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Walker 2,067 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 3 — Putnam County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Walker 1,059 100.00% +30.20
Missouri House of Representatives — District 3 — Putnam County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nate Walker 1,597 69.80%
Democratic Rebecca McClanahan 691 30.20%

All of Putnam County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby).

Missouri Senate — District 12 — Putnam County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Hegeman 1,036 100.00%

Federal

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U.S. Senate — Missouri — Putnam County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 1,708 74.88% +18.11
Democratic Jason Kander 486 21.31% −17.89
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 46 2.02% −2.01
Green Johnathan McFarland 24 1.05% +1.05
Constitution Fred Ryman 17 0.74% +0.74
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Putnam County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 1,296 56.77%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 895 39.20%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 92 4.03%

All of Putnam 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Putnam County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,897 84.01% +0.52
Democratic David M. Blackwell 315 13.95% −0.84
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 32 1.42% −1.98
Green Mike Diel 14 0.62% +0.62
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Putnam County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,032 83.49% +3.36
Democratic Bill Hedge 162 13.11% −4.22
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 42 3.40% +0.86
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Putnam County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,799 80.13%
Democratic Kyle Yarber 389 17.33%
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 57 2.54%
United States presidential election results for Putnam County, Missouri[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,984 84.03% 361 15.29% 16 0.68%
2016 1,936 82.52% 353 15.05% 57 2.43%
2012 1,673 72.46% 587 25.42% 49 2.12%
2008 1,591 68.02% 695 29.71% 53 2.27%
2004 1,660 67.89% 772 31.57% 13 0.53%
2000 1,593 68.25% 708 30.33% 33 1.41%
1996 1,091 48.60% 857 38.17% 297 13.23%
1992 1,143 45.67% 838 33.48% 522 20.85%
1988 1,365 62.73% 803 36.90% 8 0.37%
1984 1,540 65.90% 797 34.10% 0 0.00%
1980 1,722 64.86% 871 32.81% 62 2.34%
1976 1,444 56.63% 1,097 43.02% 9 0.35%
1972 2,112 78.72% 571 21.28% 0 0.00%
1968 1,971 63.75% 952 30.79% 169 5.47%
1964 1,547 51.04% 1,484 48.96% 0 0.00%
1960 2,711 71.89% 1,060 28.11% 0 0.00%
1956 2,674 70.57% 1,115 29.43% 0 0.00%
1952 3,202 73.31% 1,149 26.30% 17 0.39%
1948 2,499 62.84% 1,463 36.79% 15 0.38%
1944 3,106 72.55% 1,168 27.28% 7 0.16%
1940 3,828 68.84% 1,708 30.71% 25 0.45%
1936 3,458 64.01% 1,902 35.21% 42 0.78%
1932 2,180 50.52% 1,987 46.05% 148 3.43%
1928 3,498 73.56% 1,247 26.23% 10 0.21%
1924 3,340 65.39% 1,495 29.27% 273 5.34%
1920 3,880 72.92% 1,315 24.71% 126 2.37%
1916 2,106 64.84% 1,035 31.87% 107 3.29%
1912 1,859 55.71% 933 27.96% 545 16.33%
1908 2,233 65.77% 1,056 31.10% 106 3.12%
1904 2,226 68.45% 822 25.28% 204 6.27%
1900 2,337 65.46% 1,159 32.46% 74 2.07%
1896 2,363 62.93% 1,376 36.64% 16 0.43%
1892 2,027 62.24% 1,131 34.73% 99 3.04%
1888 1,985 63.95% 1,045 33.67% 74 2.38%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 16, 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. 343.
  4. ^ Missouri State Historical Society marker, 1958
  5. ^ "A Directory of Towns, Villages, and Hamlets of Missouri". thelibrary.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  6. ^ The Missouri Handbook by P.M. Pinckard. Published 1865
  7. ^ A History of Northeast Missouri, Vol.1 Chapter 25. Published 1913.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Putnam County, Missouri".
  16. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Putnam County Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
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40°29′N 93°01′W / 40.48°N 93.02°W / 40.48; -93.02

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