Johnson County

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 833 square miles (2,160 km2), of which 829 square miles (2,150 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.5%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Lafayette County (north)

Pettis County (east)

Henry County (south)

Cass County (west)

Jackson County (northwest)

Major highways

U.S. Route 50

Route 2

Route 13

Route 23

Route 58

Route 131

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 54,013 and a median age of 32.1 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males overall and 101.7 males age 18 and over.

There were 20,321 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 22,601 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 61.8% were owner-occupied and 38.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%.

The racial makeup of the county was 84.0% White, 4.4% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian, 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 7.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.8% of the population.

About 47.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 52.8% lived in rural areas.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 48,258 people, 17,410 households, and 11,821 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 18,886 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.12% White, 4.33% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. Approximately 2.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,410 households, out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.10% under the age of 18, 20.20% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 17.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,391, and the median income for a family was $43,050. Males had a median income of $28,901 versus $21,376 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,037. About 9.50% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

Chilhowee R-IV School District – Chilhowee

Chilhowee Elementary School (P–6)

Chilhowee High School (7–12)

Holden R-III School District – Holden

Holden Elementary School (P–5)

Holden Intermediate School (3–5)

Holden Middle School (6–8)

Holden High School (9–12)

Johnson County R-VII School District – Centerview

Crest Ridge Elementary School (P–5)

Crest Ridge Middle School (6–8)

Crest Ridge High School (9–12)

Kingsville R-I School District – Kingsville

Kingsville Elementary School (K–6)

Kingsville High School (7–12)

Knob Noster R-VIII School District – Knob Noster

Knob Noster Elementary School (P–5)

Whiteman Air Force Base Elementary School (P–5) – Whiteman

Knob Noster Middle School (6–8)

Knob Noster High School (9–12)

Leeton R-X School District – Leeton

Private schools

Johnson County Christian Academy – Centerview (K–9) – Nondenominational Christian

Post-secondary

University of Central Missouri – Warrensburg – A public, four-year university

Public libraries

Holden Public Library

Trails Regional Library

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Johnson County. Republicans hold all elected offices in Johnson County.

State

Johnson County is divided into four legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.

District 51 — Dean Dohrman (R-La Monte). Consists of the eastern half of the city of Warrensburg.

District 52 — Nathan Beard (R-Sedalia). Consists of the community of Knob Noster, and Whiteman Air Force Base.

District 53 — Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Odessa). Consists of the northern section of the county.

District 54 — Dan Houx (R- Warrensburg). Consists of western half of the city of Warrensburg and the communities of Centerview, Chilhowee, Holden, Kingsville, La Tour, and Leeton.

All of Johnson County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).

Federal

All of Johnson County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Johnson is a solidly Republican county. The last Democrat to carry Johnson County was Bill Clinton in 1992.

Communities

Cities

Holden

Knob Noster

Warrensburg (county seat)

Villages

Centerview

Leeton

Chilhowee

Kingsville

Census-designated places

La Tour

Whiteman AFB