Carter County, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Carter County is a county located in the central western portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri
in the United States
. The county was officially organized on March 10, 1859, and is named after Zimri A. Carter, a pioneer settler who came to Missouri from South Carolina
in 1812. It was created from portions of Ripley
, Shannon
and Wayne
counties. On the first Monday of April 1859 three men (Adam Lane, of Ripley County, John Bulford, of Reynolds County and D. C. Reed, of Shannon County) met at the home of James Brown to select a seat for the newly created Carter County. They selected Van Buren
which, until 1847, had been the county seat
of Ripley County. At the time of its creation Carter County was attached to Ripley County for the purpose of representation in the General Assembly.
The 1860 U.S. Census shows the newly created Carter County with a population of 1197 free persons and 20 slaves held by 8 slave owners. The 1920 US Census shows a peak population for Carter County of 7482. The population then declined until it reached a low of 3878 in the 1970 U.S. Census. The population has since risen steadily. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 6,265.
The largest city and county seat is Van Buren.
or higher while 10.8% holds 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 Carter County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists
(58.20%), Pentecostals
(13.74%), and Roman Catholics (6.59%).
of 2000, there were 5,941 people, 2,378 households, and 1,674 families residing in the county. The population density
was 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 3,028 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.60% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 1.35% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.03% from other races
, and 1.83% from two or more races. Approximately 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Carter County were 28.1% American
, 15.5% Irish
, 15.0% German, and 12.7% English
, according to Census 2000.
There were 2,378 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,608, and the median income for a family was $33,349. Males had a median income of $25,568 versus $16,500 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,178. About 19.60% of families and 25.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.10% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.
.
In the Missouri House of Representatives
, all of Carter County is a part of Missouri’s 153rd District and is currently represented by Mike Dethrow (R-Alton
). Dethrow is term limited and is finishing out his last term. He will be succeeded by fellow Republican Steve Cookson in the next legislative session in January 2011. Carter County, however, backed the Democratic nominee.
In the Missouri Senate
, all of Carter County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District and is currently represented by State Senator
Kevin Engler (R-Farmington
). In 2008, Engler defeated Dennis Riche (D) 58.72-41.28 percent in the district. The 3rd Senatorial District consists of Carter, Iron
, Reynolds
, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington
counties as well as parts of Jefferson County
.
, Carter County is represented by Jo Ann Emerson
(R-Cape Girardeau) who represents all of Southeast Missouri as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
At the presidential level, Carter County is fairly independent-leaning; however, like many rural counties, it does have a slight Republican lean. While George W. Bush
carried Carter County by two-to-one margins in 2000
and 2004
, Bill Clinton
won the county in 1992
but narrowly lost it by just eight votes to Bob Dole
in 1996
. Like most of the rural counties in Missouri, Carter County favored John McCain
over Barack Obama
in 2008
.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Carter County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative
principles which tend to 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 Carter County with 86.59 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 Carter County with 56.45 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 Carter 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 Carter County with 73.01 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 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.
, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Peck Ranch Wildlife Refuge, Watercress Park, Big Spring National Park, and the beautiful Current River are also available in Carter County.
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...
. The county was officially organized on March 10, 1859, and is named after Zimri A. Carter, a pioneer settler who came to Missouri from South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
in 1812. It was created from portions of Ripley
Ripley County, Missouri
Ripley County is a county located in the Ozarks of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,509. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 13,485. The largest city and county seat is Doniphan...
, Shannon
Shannon County, Missouri
Shannon County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States, and the second-largest by area in Missouri. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 8,324. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 8,423. Its county seat is Eminence. The county was...
and Wayne
Wayne County, Missouri
Wayne County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 13,259. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,652. The county seat is Greenville...
counties. On the first Monday of April 1859 three men (Adam Lane, of Ripley County, John Bulford, of Reynolds County and D. C. Reed, of Shannon County) met at the home of James Brown to select a seat for the newly created Carter County. They selected Van Buren
Van Buren, Missouri
Van Buren is a city in Carter County, Missouri, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is the county seat of Carter County. The city was organized in 1830 and was named for United States Secretary of State Martin Van Buren.-Geography:Van Buren is...
which, until 1847, had been the 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....
of Ripley County. At the time of its creation Carter County was attached to Ripley County for the purpose of representation in the General Assembly.
The 1860 U.S. Census shows the newly created Carter County with a population of 1197 free persons and 20 slaves held by 8 slave owners. The 1920 US Census shows a peak population for Carter County of 7482. The population then declined until it reached a low of 3878 in the 1970 U.S. Census. The population has since risen steadily. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 6,265.
The largest city and county seat is Van Buren.
Education
Of adults 25 years of age and older in Carter County, 66.6% possesses 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 10.8% holds 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
- East Carter County R-II School District - EllsinoreEllsinore, MissouriEllsinore is a city in Carter County, Missouri, United States. The population was 363 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ellsinore is located at ....
- East Carter County Elementary School (PK-05)
- East Carter County Middle School (06-08)
- East Carter County High School (09-12)
- Van Buren R-I School District - Van BurenVan Buren, MissouriVan Buren is a city in Carter County, Missouri, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is the county seat of Carter County. The city was organized in 1830 and was named for United States Secretary of State Martin Van Buren.-Geography:Van Buren is...
- Van Buren Elementary School (PK-05)
- Van Buren High School (06-12)
Religion
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Carter 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 Carter 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...
(58.20%), Pentecostals
Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
(13.74%), and Roman Catholics (6.59%).
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 509.02 square miles (1,318.4 km²), of which 507.58 square miles (1,314.6 km²) (or 99.72%) is land and 1.44 square miles (3.7 km²) (or 0.28%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Reynolds CountyReynolds County, MissouriReynolds County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 6,689. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 6,388. Its county seat is Centerville...
(north) - Wayne CountyWayne County, MissouriWayne County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 13,259. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,652. The county seat is Greenville...
(northeast) - Butler CountyButler County, MissouriButler County is a county located in the southeast Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 42,794. The largest city and county seat is Poplar Bluff. The county was officially organized from Wayne County on February...
(southeast) - Ripley CountyRipley County, MissouriRipley County is a county located in the Ozarks of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 13,509. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 13,485. The largest city and county seat is Doniphan...
(south) - Oregon CountyOregon County, MissouriOregon 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 10,344. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 10,264. Its county seat is Alton...
(southwest) - Shannon CountyShannon County, MissouriShannon County is a county located in South Central Missouri in the United States, and the second-largest by area in Missouri. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 8,324. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 8,423. Its county seat is Eminence. The county was...
(west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 60
Route 21
National protected areas
- Mark Twain National ForestMark Twain National ForestMark Twain National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the southern half of Missouri. MTNF was established on September 11, 1939. It is named for author Mark Twain, a Missouri native. The MTNF covers approximately 1.5 million acres , 78,000 acres of which are Wilderness, and National...
(part) - Ozark National Scenic RiverwaysOzark National Scenic RiverwaysThe Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a national park in the Ozarks of southern Missouri in the U.S..The park was created by an Act of Congress in 1964 to protect the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, and it was formally dedicated in 1971. The park's are used for many forms of recreation and are...
(part)
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 5,941 people, 2,378 households, and 1,674 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 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 3,028 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.60% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 1.35% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.03% 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 1.83% from two or more races. Approximately 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Carter County were 28.1% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 15.5% 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...
, 15.0% German, and 12.7% 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 2,378 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% 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, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,608, and the median income for a family was $33,349. Males had a median income of $25,568 versus $16,500 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 $16,178. About 19.60% of families and 25.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.10% of those under age 18 and 20.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
|
Grandin, Missouri Grandin is a city in Carter County, Missouri, United States. The population was 236 at the 2000 census. The city was established in 1887 by the Missouri Lumber and Mining Company and was named after E.B. Grandin, the primary stockholder... Van Buren, Missouri Van Buren is a city in Carter County, Missouri, United States. The population was 845 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is the county seat of Carter County. The city was organized in 1830 and was named for United States Secretary of State Martin Van Buren.-Geography:Van Buren is... |
Local
Politics at the local level in Carter County is predominantly controlled by the Democratic PartyDemocratic 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...
.
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... |
43.30% 1,232 | 53.29% 1,516 | 3.41% 97 |
| 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... |
59.82% 1,563 | 39.11% 1,022 | 1.07% 28 |
| 2000 | 52.69% 1,441 | 42.16% 1,153 | 5.15% 141 |
| 1996 | 42.35% 1,112 | 56.09% 1,473 | 1.56% 41 |
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 of Carter County is a part of Missouri’s 153rd District and is currently represented by Mike Dethrow (R-Alton
Alton, Missouri
Alton is the county seat of Oregon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 668 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Alton is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
). Dethrow is term limited and is finishing out his last term. He will be succeeded by fellow Republican Steve Cookson in the next legislative session in January 2011. Carter County, however, backed the Democratic nominee.
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 Carter County is a part of Missouri's 3rd 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...
Kevin Engler (R-Farmington
Farmington, Missouri
Farmington is a city in St. Francois County located south of St. Louis in the Lead Belt region in Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 16,240. It is the county seat of St. Francois County. The Farmington Micropolitan Statistical Area embraces St...
). In 2008, Engler defeated Dennis Riche (D) 58.72-41.28 percent in the district. The 3rd Senatorial District consists of Carter, Iron
Iron County, Missouri
Iron County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 10,697. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 9,918. The largest city and county seat is Ironton...
, Reynolds
Reynolds County, Missouri
Reynolds County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the Ozark Foothills Region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 6,689. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 6,388. Its county seat is Centerville...
, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington
Washington County, Missouri
Washington County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 25,195. The largest city and county seat is Potosi...
counties as well as parts of Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Missouri
Jefferson County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. The county was included as the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. It is the sixth most-populous county in Missouri. Census 2010 put the population at 218,733 Its county seat is Hillsboro. The county was...
.
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...
, Carter 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 all of Southeast Missouri as part of Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
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 | 63.49% 1,840 | 33.95% 984 | 2.56% 74 |
| 2004 | 64.66% 1,797 | 34.69% 964 | 0.65% 18 |
| 2000 | 61.61% 1,730 | 35.51% 997 | 2.88% 81 |
| 1996 | 44.08% 1,180 | 43.78% 1,172 | 12.14% 325 |
At the presidential level, Carter County is fairly independent-leaning; however, like many rural counties, it does have a slight Republican lean. While 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 Carter County by two-to-one margins 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...
, Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
won the county in 1992
United States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
but narrowly lost it by just eight votes to Bob Dole
Bob Dole
Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole is an American attorney and politician. Dole represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996, was Gerald Ford's Vice Presidential running mate in the 1976 presidential election, and was Senate Majority Leader from 1985 to 1987 and in 1995 and 1996...
in 1996
United States presidential election, 1996
The United States presidential election of 1996 was a contest between the Democratic national ticket of President Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee and the Republican national ticket of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas for President and former Housing Secretary Jack...
. Like most of the rural counties in Missouri, Carter County 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...
.
Like most rural areas throughout Southeast Missouri, voters in Carter County generally 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 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 Carter County with 86.59 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 Carter County with 56.45 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 Carter 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 Carter County with 73.01 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 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 Carter County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.- Carter County gave former U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
(D-New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) her third strongest showing in the Missouri Democratic Primary of 2008 (she only did better in DunklinDunklin County, MissouriDunklin County is a county located in the Bootheel of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 33,155. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 31,454. The largest city and county seat is Kennett...
and WayneWayne County, MissouriWayne County is a county located in the Ozark Foothills Region of Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 13,259. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,652. The county seat is Greenville...
counties). Clinton also received more votes, a total of 541, than any candidate from either party in Carter County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Primaries.
Tourism & Attractions
A variety of recreational activities, including Current River CavernCurrent River Cavern
Current River Cavern is a show cave located in one mile west of Van Buren, MO on U.S. Highway 60. The cave is located inside Cave Spring Park.The cave was first opened as a show cave in 1940 under the name "Cave Spring Onyx Caverns"....
, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Peck Ranch Wildlife Refuge, Watercress Park, Big Spring National Park, and the beautiful Current River are also available in Carter County.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Carter County, Missouri
Further reading
- Harrison, R.W. and R.C. McDowell. (2003). Geologic map of the Wilderness and Handy quadrangles, Oregon, Carter, and Ripley counties, Missouri [Scientific Investigations Map 2801]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
- Harrison, R.W., R.C. Orndorff, and D.J. Weary. (2002). Geology of the Stegall Mountain 7.5-minute quadrangle, Shannon and Carter counties, south-central Missouri [Geologic Investigations Series Map I-2767]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
- Weary, D.J. and R.C. McDowell. (2006). Geologic map of the Big Spring quadrangle, Carter County, Missouri [Scientific Investigations Map 2804]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
- Weary, D.J. and J.S. Schindler. (2004). Geologic map of the Van Buren South quadrangle, Carter County, Missouri [Geologic Investigations Series Map I-2803]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
- Weary, D.J. and R.E. Weems. (2004). Geologic map of the Van Buren North quadrangle, Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, Missouri [Geologic Investigations Series Map I-2802]. Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
External links
- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Carter 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...
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