Ralls County
County
Ralls County Courthouse in New London
Ralls County Courthouse in New London
Map of Missouri highlighting Ralls 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°32′N 91°32′W / 39.53°N 91.53°W / 39.53; -91.53
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedNovember 16, 1820
Named forDaniel Ralls
SeatNew London
Largest cityHannibal
Area
 • Total484 sq mi (1,250 km2)
 • Land470 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  2.65%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total10,355
 • Density21/sq mi (8.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.rallscounty.org

Ralls County is a county located in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,355.[1] Its county seat is New London.[2] The county was organized November 16, 1820 and named for Daniel Ralls, Missouri state legislator.[3]

Ralls County is part of the Hannibal, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Quincy-Hannibal, IL-MO Combined Statistical Area.

History

Ralls County was one of several along the Mississippi River settled in the early years primarily by European-American migrants from the Upper South, especially Kentucky and Tennessee. They brought slaves and slaveholding traditions with them, and quickly started cultivating crops similar to those in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky: hemp and tobacco. They also brought characteristic antebellum architecture and culture. Ralls is considered one of the counties in the outer ring of what is called the Little Dixie region. Most of the Little Dixie counties are located further west along the Missouri River, from Callaway County west.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 484 square miles (1,250 km2), of which 470 square miles (1,200 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (2.9%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18304,375—
18405,67029.6%
18506,1518.5%
18608,59239.7%
187010,51022.3%
188011,83812.6%
189012,2943.9%
190012,287−0.1%
191012,9135.1%
192010,412−19.4%
193010,7042.8%
194010,040−6.2%
19508,686−13.5%
19608,078−7.0%
19707,764−3.9%
19808,98415.7%
19908,476−5.7%
20009,62613.6%
201010,1675.6%
202010,3551.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2015[10]

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 10,167 people, 3,736 households, and 2,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 4,564 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.93% White, 1.11% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Approximately 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30.1% were of American, 27.3% German, 10.5% English and 10.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,736 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.20% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 21.20% 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 2.55 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 26.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,094, and the median income for a family was $41,955. Males had a median income of $28,139 versus $20,238 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,456. About 6.60% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Ralls County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 9,713 94%
Black or African American (NH) 114 1.1%
Native American (NH) 26 0.25%
Asian (NH) 17 0.16%
Pacific Islander (NH) 4 0.04%
Other/Mixed (NH) 385 3.72%
Hispanic or Latino 96 1%

Education

Public schools

Public libraries

Communities

Cities

Village

Unincorporated communities

Politics

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Local

Historically, the Democratic Party predominantly controlled politics at the local level in Ralls County. However, all local seats up for election with a Republican candidate during the November 2016 election cycle were won by Republicans. Republicans now hold the office of Sheriff, Coroner, and Western District Commissioner.

Ralls County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Josh Ketsenburg Democratic
Circuit Clerk Gina Jameson Democratic
County Clerk Brandy Flynn Republican
Collector Tara Comer Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 John Lake Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 Junior Muehring Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Brian Hodges Republican
Coroner Robert VanWinkle Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Rodney J. Rodenbaugh Democratic
Public Administrator Paula Evans Democratic
Recorder Gina Jameson Democratic
Sheriff Brad Stinson Republican
Surveyor Marty Wasson Democratic
Treasurer Jena L. Epperson Democratic

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 77.24% 4,351 21.59% 1,216 1.17% 66
2016 64.47% 3,371 33.72% 1,763 1.81% 95
2012 52.97% 2,595 45.72% 2,279 2.21% 110
2008 53.74% 2,717 44.76% 2,263 1.50% 76
2004 61.68% 3,090 37.25% 1,866 1.08% 54
2000 47.21% 2,145 51.65% 2,347 1.14% 52
1996 27.05% 1,097 71.06% 2,882 1.90% 77

Ralls County is a part of Missouri's 40h District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Jim Hansen (R-Frankford).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 40 — Ralls County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Hansen 4,492 100.00% +30.20
Missouri House of Representatives — District 40 — Ralls County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Hansen 2,223 69.80% +16.40
Democratic Lowell Jackson 962 30.20% -16.40
Missouri House of Representatives — District 40 — Ralls County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Hansen 2,642 53.40%
Democratic Paul Quinn 2,306 46.60%

Ralls County is a part of Missouri's 18th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown).

Missouri Senate — District 18 — Ralls County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Brian Munzlinger 2,498 100.00%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Ralls County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 3,220 61.91% +10.15
Democratic Jason Kander 1,763 33.90% -10.93
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 115 2.21% -1.20
Green Johnathan McFarland 47 0.90% +0.90
Constitution Fred Ryman 56 1.08% +1.08
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Ralls County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 2,596 51.76%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 2,248 44.83%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 171 3.41%

Ralls 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 — Ralls County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 3,745 73.52% +4.22
Democratic David M. Blackwell 1,239 24.32% -4.25
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 76 1.49% -0.64
Green Mike Diel 34 0.67% +0.67
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Ralls County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 2,144 69.30% +8.39
Democratic Bill Hedge 884 28.57% -8.72
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 66 2.13% +0.33
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Ralls County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 2,917 60.91%
Democratic Kyle Yarber 1,786 37.29%
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 86 1.80%
United States presidential election results for Ralls County, Missouri[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,396 77.64% 1,205 21.28% 61 1.08%
2016 3,969 74.97% 1,138 21.50% 187 3.53%
2012 3,231 64.16% 1,736 34.47% 69 1.37%
2008 2,987 58.75% 2,041 40.15% 56 1.10%
2004 2,986 59.32% 2,031 40.35% 17 0.34%
2000 2,446 53.85% 2,033 44.76% 63 1.39%
1996 1,513 37.34% 1,998 49.31% 541 13.35%
1992 1,349 30.71% 2,158 49.12% 886 20.17%
1988 1,494 37.44% 2,489 62.38% 7 0.18%
1984 2,067 50.69% 2,011 49.31% 0 0.00%
1980 1,968 47.51% 2,069 49.95% 105 2.54%
1976 1,334 36.23% 2,318 62.95% 30 0.81%
1972 1,827 57.13% 1,371 42.87% 0 0.00%
1968 1,175 33.07% 1,900 53.48% 478 13.45%
1964 736 20.54% 2,847 79.46% 0 0.00%
1960 1,485 37.31% 2,495 62.69% 0 0.00%
1956 1,373 34.28% 2,632 65.72% 0 0.00%
1952 1,437 32.18% 3,020 67.64% 8 0.18%
1948 908 23.15% 3,013 76.82% 1 0.03%
1944 1,164 29.35% 2,799 70.57% 3 0.08%
1940 1,412 28.35% 3,562 71.53% 6 0.12%
1936 1,051 21.51% 3,822 78.24% 12 0.25%
1932 761 17.67% 3,526 81.87% 20 0.46%
1928 1,794 44.07% 2,273 55.83% 4 0.10%
1924 1,365 33.52% 2,617 64.27% 90 2.21%
1920 1,362 32.45% 2,803 66.79% 32 0.76%
1916 826 29.04% 1,994 70.11% 24 0.84%
1912 591 22.88% 1,734 67.13% 258 9.99%
1908 900 31.35% 1,947 67.82% 24 0.84%
1904 792 30.32% 1,794 68.68% 26 1.00%
1900 770 26.02% 2,161 73.03% 28 0.95%
1896 814 26.08% 2,297 73.60% 10 0.32%
1892 802 28.65% 1,968 70.31% 29 1.04%
1888 816 29.42% 1,942 70.01% 16 0.58%

See also

References

  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  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. ^ The Story of Little Dixie, Missouri, Missouri Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans Archived 2012-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 3 June 2008
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ralls County, Missouri".
  13. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Ralls County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

External links

39°32′N 91°32′W / 39.53°N 91.53°W / 39.53; -91.53

Places adjacent to Ralls County, Missouri
Municipalities and communities of Ralls County, Missouri, United States
State of Missouri
Authority control databases
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