Vernon County, Missouri

Infobox U.S. County
county = Vernon County
state = Missouri


founded year = 1855
founded date =
seat wl = Nevada
largest city wl = Nevada
area_total_sq_mi = 837
area_total_km2 = 2168
area_land_sq_mi = 834
area_land_km2 = 2160
area_water_sq_mi = 3
area_water_km2 = 8
area percentage = 0.37%
census yr = 2000
pop = 20454
density_sq_mi = 24
density_km2 = 9
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
footnotes =
web =
named for = Colonel Miles Vernon, state senator, and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans

Vernon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 20,454. Its county seat is NevadaGR|6. The county was organized in 1855 and named for Col. Miles Vernon, state senator, and veteran of the Battle of New Orleans.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 837 square miles (2,168 km²), of which, 834 square miles (2,160 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) of it (0.37%) 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

*U.S. Route 54
*U.S. Route 71
*Route 43

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 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. 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 the age of 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.

Cities and towns

References