New Madrid County, Missouri

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New Madrid County, Missouri
New Madrid County Courthouse.jpg
New Madrid County Courthouse
Map of Missouri highlighting New Madrid County
Location in the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded October 1, 1812
Named for Madrid, Spain
Seat New Madrid
Largest city New Madrid
Area
 • Total 697 sq mi (1,805 km2)
 • Land 675 sq mi (1,748 km2)
 • Water 22 sq mi (57 km2), 3.1%
Population
 • (2010) 18,956
 • Density 28/sq mi (11/km²)
Congressional district 8th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5

New Madrid County (pronounced /njuː ˈmædrᵻd/) new-MAD-rid) is a county located in the Bootheel of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,956.[1] The largest city and county seat is New Madrid, located on the northern side of the Kentucky Bend in the Mississippi River, where it has formed an oxbow around an exclave of Fulton County, Kentucky.[2] This feature has also been known as New Madrid Bend or Madrid Bend, for the city.

The county was officially organized on October 1, 1812, and is named after Nuevo Madrid, a district located in the region. This area was under Spanish rule following France's cession of North American territory after being defeated by Britain in the Seven Years' War. The Spanish named the district after Madrid, the capital of Spain.[3]

The county includes a large part of the New Madrid Fault that produced the 1811–12 New Madrid earthquakes. This zone has the potential to produce more earthquakes in the future.

History

French Canadians from New France landed in this area in 1781 and established the first settlement in the present county at New Madrid along the Mississippi River.[4] Later France ceded this area to Spain following its loss in the Seven Years' War. Spain returned it to France late in the 18th century, and France sold this and a large area west of the Mississippi River in 1803 to the United States under the Louisiana Purchase.

New Madrid County was organized on October 1, 1812, as an act of the First General Assembly of the Missouri Territory.[5] In the floodplain of the Mississippi, this area was long cultivated for cotton production.

A series of more than 1,000 earthquakes struck the area in 1811 and 1812. The New Madrid earthquakes were the strongest non-subduction zone earthquake in the United States, and may have registered 9.0 on the Richter scale. A request dated January 13, 1814, by the Territorial Governor William Clark, asked for federal relief for the "inhabitants of New Madrid County."[citation needed]

The county had its peak of population in 1940, according to US census data, as shown in the table. Many residents left the county from 1950 to 1970, seeking better work opportunities. County population has continued to decline.

Geography

Kentucky Bend and surrounding area
  Missouri (MO)
  Tennessee (TN)
  Kentucky (KY)

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 697 square miles (1,810 km2), of which 675 square miles (1,750 km2) is land and 22 square miles (57 km2) (3.1%) is water.[6]

The county is located on the Kentucky Bend of the Mississippi River, which forms a border of the county. This feature is also known as New Madrid Bend or Madrid Bend. This oxbow flows around an exclave of Fulton County, Kentucky. Scientists expect that eventually the river will cut a new channel across the narrow neck of the peninsula, which will gradually be attached by infill land to Missouri.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1820 2,296 —
1830 2,350 2.4%
1840 4,554 93.8%
1850 5,541 21.7%
1860 5,654 2.0%
1870 6,357 12.4%
1880 7,694 21.0%
1890 9,317 21.1%
1900 11,280 21.1%
1910 19,488 72.8%
1920 25,180 29.2%
1930 30,262 20.2%
1940 39,787 31.5%
1950 39,444 −0.9%
1960 31,350 −20.5%
1970 23,420 −25.3%
1980 22,945 −2.0%
1990 20,928 −8.8%
2000 19,760 −5.6%
2010 18,956 −4.1%
Est. 2014 18,272 [7] −3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 19,760 people, 7,824 households, and 5,508 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 8,600 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.21% White, 15.36% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Approximately 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in New Madrid County were 32.4% American, 10.3% Irish, 8.8% English, and 8.7% German, according to Census 2000.

There were 7,824 households out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples living together, 14.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.40% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,758, and the median income for a family was $39,411. Males had a median income of $28,408 versus $19,186 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,227. About 18.60% of families and 22.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.40% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), New Madrid County is a part of the Bible Belt with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in New Madrid County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (62.86%), Roman Catholics (8.80%), and Methodists (7.36%).

Politics

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Local

The Democratic Party completely controls politics at the local level in New Madrid County. Democrats hold all elected positions in the county.

New Madrid County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Ronnie Simmons Democratic
Circuit Clerk Marsha Meatte Holiman Democratic
County Clerk Clement Cravens Democratic
Collector Dewayne Nowlin Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Clyde M. Hawes Democratic
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Mark Baker Democratic
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Don Day Democratic
Coroner Jimmy McSpadden Democratic
Prosecuting Attorney Lewis H. Recker Democratic
Public Administrator Riley Bock Democratic
Recorder Kim St. Mary Hall Democratic
Sheriff Terry M. Stevens Democratic
Treasurer Tom Bradley Democratic

State

New Madrid County is divided among three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives.

  • District 160 - Currently represented by Ellen Brandom (R-Sikeston) and consists of Miner and the areas around Sikeston.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 160 - New Madrid County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ellen Brandom* 437 100.00 0
  • District 161 - Currently represented by Steve Hodges (D-East Prairie) and consists of most of the northern and eastern parts of the county and includes the city of New Madrid as well as the towns of Canalou, Catron, Howardville, Lilbourn, Marston, Matthews, Morehouse, and North Lilbourn.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 161 - New Madrid County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Steve Hodges* 1,369 57.74 -42.26
Republican Ron McCormick 1,002 42.26 +42.26
  • District 162 - Currently represented by Terry Swinger (D-Caruthersville) and consists of most of the western and southern parts of the county and includes the city of Portageville as well as the towns of Gideon, Parma, Risco, and Tallapoosa.
Missouri House of Representatives - District 162 - New Madrid County (2010)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Terry Swinger* 1,381 100.00 0

All of New Madrid County is a part of Missouri's 25th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by State Senator Rob Mayer (R-Dexter). In 2008, Mayer defeated Democrat M. Shane Stoelting 65.32-34.68 percent in the district. The 25th Senatorial District consists of Butler, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, and Wayne counties.

Missouri Senate - District 25 - New Madrid County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rob Mayer 4,217 54.53
Democratic M. Shane Stoelting 3,517 45.47
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2012 44.64% 2,732 59.70% 4,270 1.49% 120
2008 38.19% 3,574 53.87% 4,313 2.11% 151
2004 47.57% 3,737 51.38% 4,036 1.05% 82
2000 41.28% 2,978 57.50% 4,148 1.22% 88
1996 28.14% 2,106 70.43% 5,270 1.43% 107
1992 38.99% 3,087 61.01% 4,830 0.00% 0
1988 50.94% 3,594 48.89% 3,449 0.17% 12
1984 50.34% 3,979 49.66% 3,926 0.00% 0
1980 38.82% 3,176 61.14% 5,002 0.04% 3
1976 37.75% 2,951 62.20% 4,863 0.05% 4

Federal

New Madrid County is included in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Jason T. Smith (R-Salem) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-Cape Girardeau). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative.

U.S. House of Representatives - District 8 – New Madrid County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jo Ann Emerson 4,888 68.30 +6.53
Democratic Jack Rushin 2,133 29.80 -4.78
Libertarian Rick Vandeven 136 1.90 +0.39
U.S. House of Representatives - District 8 - Special Election – New Madrid County (2013)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Steve Hodges 1,008 51.85
Republican Jason T. Smith 891 45.83
Constitution Doug Enyart 25 1.29
Libertarian Bill Slantz 20 1.03

Political culture

Past Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2012 59.09% 4,284 38.81% 2,814 2.10% 152
2008 56.76% 4,593 41.65% 3,370 1.59% 129
2004 52.54% 4,154 47.00% 3,716 0.46% 37
2000 47.01% 3,416 51.45% 3,738 1.54% 112
1996 31.93% 2,417 58.80% 4,451 9.27% 702
1992 29.33% 2,431 58.91% 4,883 11.61% 962
1988 46.99% 3,387 52.89% 3,812 0.12% 9
1984 53.38% 4,323 46.62% 3,776 0.000% 0
1980 48.70% 4,041 50.27% 4,171 1.04% 86
1976 34.39% 2,798 65.38% 5,319 0.23% 19

At the presidential level, New Madrid County is a fairly independent-leaning or battleground county. The Bootheel is a rather isolated area with a white majority and slightly more than 15 percent African-American residents. Voters have a slight tendency to lean Democratic. Presidential Democratic candidate Al Gore won the county in 2000, and Republican George W. Bush in 2004; both times the margins of victory were significantly closer than in many of the other rural areas. Bill Clinton had carried New Madrid County both times in 1992 and 1996 by convincing double-digit margins. As did many of the other rural counties in Missouri, New Madrid County favored John McCain over Barack Obama in 2008, although the margin of victory was smaller than in most rural areas.

Voters in New Madrid County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles but are more moderate or populist on economic issues, typical of the Dixiecrat philosophy. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman. New Madrid County passed it with 83.82 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent support as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in New Madrid County with 56.09 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research.

Despite New Madrid County’s longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county support such populist causes as increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed New Madrid County with 75.66 percent of the vote. The proposition was strongly in every county in Missouri, with 78.99 percent voting in favor. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.

Missouri Presidential Preference Primary (2008)

In the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary, voters in New Madrid County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.

  • Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,801, than any candidate from either party in New Madrid County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary. She also received more votes than the total number of votes cast in the entire Republican Primary in New Madrid County.
New Madrid County, Missouri
2008 Republican primary in Missouri
John McCain 386 (28.68%)
Mike Huckabee 656 (48.74%)
Mitt Romney 250 (18.57%)
Ron Paul 43 (3.19%)
New Madrid County, Missouri
2008 Democratic primary in Missouri
Hillary Clinton 1,801 (71.19%)
Barack Obama 610 (24.11%)
John Edwards (withdrawn) 101 (3.99%)

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in New Madrid County, 63.6% possess a high school diploma or higher while 9.6% hold a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public schools

  • Gideon School District 37 - Gideon
    • Gideon Elementary School (K-6)
    • Gideon High School (7-12)
  • New Madrid County Central R-I School District - New Madrid
    • Lilbourn Elementary School (PK-5) - Lilbourn
    • Matthews Elementary School (PK-5) - Matthews
    • New Madrid County Central Elementary School (PK-5)
    • New Madrid County Central Middle School (6-08)
    • New Madrid County Central High School (9-12)
  • Portageville School District - Portageville
    • Portageville Elementary School (PK-5)
    • Portageville Middle School (6-8)
    • Portageville High School (9-12)
  • Risco R-II School District - Risco
    • Risco Elementary School (K-6)
    • Risco High School (7-12)

Private schools

Alternative/vocational schools

Communities

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See also

References

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External links

 Stoddard County Scott County Mississippi County
Fulton County, Kentucky
  New Madrid County, Missouri  
Dunklin County Pemiscot County Lake County, Tennessee

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