Taney County, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Taney County is a county located in Southwest Missouri
in the United States
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census
, the county's population was 39,703. In the 2010 census the counties population was 51,675 Its county seat
is Forsyth
.
The county was officially organized on January 4, 1837, and named in honor of Roger Brooke Taney
, the fifth Chief Justice
of the U.S. Supreme Court
, most remembered for later delivering the majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sanford.
The county includes the popular tourist destination city of Branson and is part of the Branson
Micropolitan Statistical Area
. With a wide range of live music shows, restaurants and shopping locations, Taney County is also the home of Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes.
of 2000, there were 39,703 people, 16,158 households, and 11,052 families residing in the county. The population density
was 24/km² (63/mi²). There were 19,688 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (31/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.22% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Approximately 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Taney County were 20.8% German, 18.9% American
, 12.4% Irish
, and 12.3% English
, according to Census 2000.
There were 16,158 households out of which 27.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples
living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,771, and the median income for a family was $47,664. Males had a median income of $25,431 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,663. About 9.40% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.
†Denotes a municipality whose physical boundaries extend beyond Taney County
or higher while 14.9% hold a bachelor's degree
or higher as their highest educational attainment.
with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Taney County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists
(32.88%), Roman Catholics (12.36%), and Presbyterians
(9.13%).
. All of Taney County’s elected officeholders are Republicans.
Taney County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives
, all held by Republicans.
In the Missouri Senate
, all of Taney County is a part of Missouri's 29th District and is currently represented by State Senator
Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon
). In 2008, Goodman ran unopposed and was reelected with 100 percent of the vote. The 29th Senatorial District consists of Barry
, Lawrence, McDonald
, Ozark
, Stone
, and Taney counties.
, most of Taney County is represented by Jo Ann Emerson
(R-Cape Girardeau) who represents most of the central and eastern portions of the county as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District. The city of Branson and the western portions of the county are included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Roy Blunt
(R-Strafford).
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Taney County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush
carried Taney County in 2000
and 2004
by more than two-to-one margins, and like many other rural counties throughout Missouri, Taney County strongly favored John McCain
over Barack Obama
in 2008
. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Taney County in over 50 years.
Like most rural areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Taney County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman
—it overwhelmingly passed Taney County with 80.04 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters 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 Taney County with 56.64 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 Taney County’s longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist
causes like 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 Taney County with 77.78 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 U.S. Census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the county's population was 39,703. In the 2010 census the counties population was 51,675 Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Forsyth
Forsyth, Missouri
Forsyth is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taney County. The town is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:...
.
The county was officially organized on January 4, 1837, and named in honor of Roger Brooke Taney
Roger B. Taney
Roger Brooke Taney was the fifth Chief Justice of the United States, holding that office from 1836 until his death in 1864. He was the first Roman Catholic to hold that office or sit on the Supreme Court of the United States. He was also the eleventh United States Attorney General. He is most...
, the fifth Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
of the U.S. Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
, most remembered for later delivering the majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sanford.
The county includes the popular tourist destination city of Branson and is part of the Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Branson micropolitan area
The Branson Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Branson.As of the 2010 census, the μSA had a population of 83,877...
. With a wide range of live music shows, restaurants and shopping locations, Taney County is also the home of Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes.
History
The first Taney County Courthouse was built by the early pioneers in 1837 and destroyed on July 22, 1861, during a Civil War Battle. The second Courthouse was destroyed by fire on December 19, 1885. The third Courthouse was removed in 1952 to permit the building of Bull Shoals Lake. The fourth, and present, Courthouse was occupied on August 1, 1952. In 1989, an addition was started and completed in 1991.Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 651.48 square miles (1,687.3 km²), of which 632.36 square miles (1,637.8 km²) (or 97.07%) is land and 19.12 square miles (49.5 km²) (or 2.93%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Christian CountyChristian County, MissouriChristian County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. The county had a population of 54,285 in 2000 census. According to the 2010 census, the county's population is 77,422 , making it the fastest growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest growing in the nation as the county becomes...
(north) - Douglas CountyDouglas County, MissouriDouglas County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,684. The largest city and county seat is Ava. The county was officially organized on October 29, 1857, and is named after U.S. Senator Stephen A...
(northeast) - Ozark CountyOzark County, MissouriOzark County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 9,542. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,227. The largest city and county seat is Gainesville. From 1843 to 1845 the county was called...
(east) - Marion County, Arkansas (southeast)
- Boone County, ArkansasBoone County, ArkansasBoone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,903. The county seat is Harrison. Boone County is Arkansas's 62nd county, formed on April 9, 1869. Boone County is part of the Harrison Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Boone County...
(south) - Carroll County, Arkansas (southwest)
- Stone CountyStone County, MissouriStone County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 32,202. Its county seat is Galena...
(west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 160
Route 76
Route 86
Route 125
Minor Highways
Route 165
Route 176
Route 248
Route 265
Route 376
Route 465
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 39,703 people, 16,158 households, and 11,052 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 24/km² (63/mi²). There were 19,688 housing units at an average density of 12/km² (31/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.22% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.42% from two or more races. Approximately 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Taney County were 20.8% German, 18.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 12.4% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, and 12.3% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, according to Census 2000.
There were 16,158 households out of which 27.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,771, and the median income for a family was $47,664. Males had a median income of $25,431 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $21,663. About 9.40% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Forsyth, Missouri Forsyth is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taney County. The town is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:... Hilda, Missouri Hilda is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 160 about fifteen miles east of Branson. It formerly had a post office with a ZIP code of 65670, but mail is now served by the post office in Kissee Mills.Hilda is part of the Branson... Hollister, Missouri Hollister is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,426 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... Kirbyville, Missouri Kirbyville is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States.Located approximately seven miles east of Branson on Route 76, the farming and residential community is part of the Branson Micropolitan Statistical Area and has the ZIP code 65679.Accessible educational options... Kissee Mills, Missouri Kissee Mills is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 160 about five miles east of Forsyth.The community is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.... |
McClurg, Missouri McClurg is an unincorporated community in extreme northeastern Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Missouri Supplemental Route W about three miles east of Brownbranch or twenty miles northeast of Forsyth... Merriam Woods, Missouri Merriam Woods is a village in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,142 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Merriam Woods is located at .... Point Lookout, Missouri Point Lookout is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States, near Branson and Hollister. A college town, it is next to Lake Taneycomo and is home to the College of the Ozarks. College of the Ozarks hosts the NAIA Division II basketball tournament annually.Point Lookout is... Powersite, Missouri Powersite is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is located across Lake Taneycomo from Forsyth. It is almost entirely residential.The community is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.... Protem, Missouri Protem is an unincorporated community in southeastern Taney County, Missouri, United States, about ten miles north of the Arkansas state line. It is located on Route 125. A fire station, a post office, and some homes are located there. The community was founded in 1870... |
Ridgedale, Missouri Ridgedale is an unincorporated community in southern Taney County, Missouri, United States. It lies about ten miles south of Branson on U.S. Route 65 near the Arkansas state line. Several homes, a few businesses, and a post office are located there.... Rockaway Beach, Missouri Rockaway Beach is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 577 at the 2000 census. It lies on the shoreline of the White River.Rockaway Beach is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Rueter, Missouri Rueter is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States. Located at western intersection of U.S. Route 160 and Route 125, it is the site of a post office and a few homes. Mark Twain School R-8 is also listed as being in Rueter, Although it is not within the town... Saddlebrooke, Missouri Saddlebrooke is a village located in extreme southern Christian County, Missouri, United States on U.S. Route 65. A small portion of the village extends into Taney County... † Table Rock, Missouri Table Rock is a village in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 229 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area... |
Taneyville, Missouri Taneyville is a village in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Taneyville is located at .... Walnut Shade, Missouri Walnut Shade is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is about six miles northwest of Forsyth on U.S. Route 160.Walnut Shade is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.... |
†Denotes a municipality whose physical boundaries extend beyond Taney County
Education
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Taney County, 81.4% possess a high school diplomaHigh school diploma
A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and higher education. An equivalent is the GED.-Past diploma styles:...
or higher while 14.9% hold a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
or higher as their highest educational attainment.
Public Schools
- Bradleyville R-I School District - BradleyvilleBradleyville, MissouriBradleyville is an unincorporated community in northern Taney County, Missouri, United States. It is located at the intersection of Route 76 and Route 125....
- Bradleyville Elementary School (PK-06)
- Bradleyville High School (07-12)
- Branson R-IV School District - BransonBranson, MissouriBranson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
- Branson Primary School (PK-01)
- Branson Elementary East (02-04)
- Branson Elementary West (02-04)
- Branson Intermediate School (05-06)
- Branson Jr. High School (07-08)
- Branson High School (09-12)
- Forsyth R-III School District - ForsythForsyth, MissouriForsyth is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taney County. The town is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:...
- Forsyth Elementary School (K-04)
- Forsyth Middle School (05-08)
- Forsyth High School (09-12)
- Hollister R-V School District - HollisterHollister, MissouriHollister is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,426 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- Hollister Elementary School (PK-04)
- Hollister Middle School (05-06)
- Hollister Jr. High School (07-08)
- Hollister High School (09-12)
- Kirbyville R-VI School District - KirbyvilleKirbyville, MissouriKirbyville is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States.Located approximately seven miles east of Branson on Route 76, the farming and residential community is part of the Branson Micropolitan Statistical Area and has the ZIP code 65679.Accessible educational options...
- Kirbyville Elementary School (K-03)
- Kirbyville Middle School (04-08)
- Mark Twain R-VIII School District - RueterRueter, MissouriRueter is an unincorporated community in Taney County, Missouri, United States. Located at western intersection of U.S. Route 160 and Route 125, it is the site of a post office and a few homes. Mark Twain School R-8 is also listed as being in Rueter, Although it is not within the town...
- Mark Twain Elementary School (K-08)
- Taneyville R-II School District - TaneyvilleTaneyville, MissouriTaneyville is a village in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Taneyville is located at ....
- Taneyville Elementary School (K-08)
Private Schools
- Faith Christian Academy - BransonBranson, MissouriBranson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
- (PK-12) - Non-denominational ChristianNon-denominational ChristianityIn Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations...
closed May, 2008. - Trinity Christian Academy - HollisterHollister, MissouriHollister is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,426 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
- (PK-12) - Non-denominational ChristianNon-denominational ChristianityIn Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations... - Riverview Bible Baptist Church School - ForsythForsyth, MissouriForsyth is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taney County. The town is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:...
- (05-08) - BaptistBaptistBaptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Alternative & Vocational Schools
- Delmina Woods Youth Facility - ForsythForsyth, MissouriForsyth is a city in Taney County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taney County. The town is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:...
- (06-12) - Alternative/Other School
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Taney County is a part of the Bible BeltBible Belt
Bible Belt is an informal term for a region in the southeastern and south-central United States in which socially conservative evangelical Protestantism is a significant part of the culture and Christian church attendance across the denominations is generally higher than the nation's average.The...
with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Taney County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
(32.88%), Roman Catholics (12.36%), and Presbyterians
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
(9.13%).
Local
Politics at the local level in Taney County is completely controlled by the Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. All of Taney County’s elected officeholders are Republicans.
| Office | Incumbent | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Assessor | James Strahan | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Auditor | Rick C. Findley | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Circuit Clerk | Brenda Kay Neal | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Clerk | Donna Neeley | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Collector | Sheila L. Wyatt | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Commissioner – Eastern District | Danny Strahan | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Commissioner – Western District | Jim Strafuss | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Coroner | Kevin W. Tweedy | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Presiding Commissioner | Ron Houseman | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Prosecuting Attorney | Jeff Merrell | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Public Administrator | Carol Davis | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Recorder | Robert A. Dixon | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Sheriff | Jimmie Russell | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
| Treasurer | Helen Soutee | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
State
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Third Parties Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008 -Polling:-Results:-See also:* U.S. gubernatorial elections, 2008* Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004* Missouri Lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2008-External links:* from the Missouri Secretary of State* at Project Vote Smart... |
51.16% 10,903 | 46.31% 9,870 | 2.53% 540 |
| 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004 The 2004 Missouri gubernatorial election took place on 2 November 2004 for the post of Governor of Missouri. Missouri Secretary of State Republican Matt Blunt defeated State Auditor Democrat Claire McCaskill... |
68.88% 13,207 | 29.91% 5,734 | 1.21% 233 |
| 2000 | 60.03% 9,003 | 37.30% 5,594 | 2.67% 400 |
| 1996 | 58.07% 7,516 | 38.89% 5,034 | 3.04% 394 |
Taney County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
, all held by Republicans.
- District 62 – Currently represented by Dennis F. Wood (R-Kimberling CityKimberling City, MissouriKimberling City is a city in Stone County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,253 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Branson, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Kimberling City is located at ....
) and consists of the southwestern parts of the county and includes Branson, Hollister, and Table Rock. Wood is term limited and is finishing out his last term. He will be succeeded by fellow Republican Donald E. Phillips in the next legislative session in January 2011.
- District 142 – Currently represented by Raymond Weter (R-NixaNixa, MissouriNixa is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. The population was 12,124 at the 2000 census, though a 2009 estimate places it at 19,458. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
) and consists of the northeastern parts of the county and includes Bull Creek and Taneyville.
- District 143 – Currently represented by Maynard Wallace (R-ThornfieldThornfield, MissouriThornfield is an unincorporated community in Ozark County, Missouri. It is sixteen miles northwest of Gainesville. It is located on Route 95 at the Little North Fork of the White River....
) and consists of the southeastern parts of the county and includes Forsyth, Merriam Woods, and Rockaway Beach. Wallace is term limited and is finishing out his last term. He will be succeeded by fellow Republican Lyle Rowland in the next legislative session in January 2011.
In the Missouri Senate
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
, all of Taney County is a part of Missouri's 29th District and is currently represented by State Senator
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
Jack Goodman (R-Mt. Vernon
Mount Vernon, Missouri
Mount Vernon is a city in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,017 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. It is regionally known for its annual Apple butter Makin' Days festival in October. The high school's athletic teams are known as the...
). In 2008, Goodman ran unopposed and was reelected with 100 percent of the vote. The 29th Senatorial District consists of Barry
Barry County, Missouri
Barry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 35,597. Its county seat is Cassville. The county was organized in 1835 and named after William Taylor Barry from Kentucky, a United States Postmaster General....
, Lawrence, McDonald
McDonald County, Missouri
McDonald County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States of America. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 23,083. Its county seat is Pineville...
, Ozark
Ozark County, Missouri
Ozark County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 9,542. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,227. The largest city and county seat is Gainesville. From 1843 to 1845 the county was called...
, Stone
Stone County, Missouri
Stone County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 32,202. Its county seat is Galena...
, and Taney counties.
Federal
In the U.S. House of RepresentativesUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, most of Taney County is represented by Jo Ann Emerson
Jo Ann Emerson
Jo Ann Emerson is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1996. The district consists of Southeast and South Central Missouri and includes the Bootheel, the Lead Belt and the Ozarks. Emerson is a member of the Republican Party....
(R-Cape Girardeau) who represents most of the central and eastern portions of the county as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District. The city of Branson and the western portions of the county are included in Missouri's 7th Congressional District and is currently represented by Roy Blunt
Roy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
(R-Strafford).
Political Culture
| Year | Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Third Parties Third party (United States) The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 68.02% 14,736 | 30.85% 6,683 | 1.13% 245 |
| 2004 | 70.43% 13,578 | 29.05% 5,601 | 0.52% 101 |
| 2000 | 63.84% 9,647 | 33.70% 5,092 | 2.46% 373 |
| 1996 | 52.01% 6,844 | 35.13% 4,623 | 12.86% 1,693 |
Like most counties situated in Southwest Missouri, Taney County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections. George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
carried Taney County in 2000
United States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
and 2004
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
by more than two-to-one margins, and like many other rural counties throughout Missouri, Taney County strongly favored John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
over Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in 2008
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
. No Democratic presidential nominee has won Taney County in over 50 years.
Like most rural areas throughout the Bible Belt in Southwest Missouri, voters in Taney County traditionally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
principles which tend to strongly influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2004)
Constitutional Amendment 2 of 2004 is an amendment to the Missouri Constitution that prohibited same-sex marriages from being conducted or recognized in Missouri. The Amendment passed via public referendum on August 3, 2004 with 71% of voters supporting and 29% opposing. Every county voted in...
—it overwhelmingly passed Taney County with 80.04 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2006)
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 is a state constitutional amendment initiative that concerns stem cell research and human cloning in Missouri...
—it failed in Taney County with 56.64 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
Embryonic stem cell
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, an early-stage embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4–5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50–150 cells...
. Despite Taney County’s longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
causes like increasing the minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Taney County with 77.78 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. 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 Taney County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.- Former Governor Mike HuckabeeMike HuckabeeMichael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
(R-ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
) received more votes, a total of 3,850, than any candidate from either party in Taney County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.
Jail controversy
In 2009, Taney County officials voted to begin charging inmates $45 a day to stay at the jail. One critic referred to the charge as a "poor person's tax."In Film
The 2010 film "Winter's Bone" was filmed entirely in Taney County and Christian County. Many locals were cast in significant roles in the film.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Taney County, Missouri
External links
- Taney County government's website
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Taney County from University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books - http://2010.census.gov/2010census/popmap/