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Pettis County, Missouri facts for kids

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Pettis County
U.S. county
The Pettis County Courthouse in Sedalia
The Pettis County Courthouse in Sedalia
Map of Missouri highlighting Pettis County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Missouri
Founded January 24, 1833
Named for Spencer Darwin Pettis
Seat Sedalia
Largest city Sedalia
Area
 • Total 686 sq mi (1,780 km2)
 • Land 682 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Water 4.0 sq mi (10 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 42,980
 • Density 62.65/sq mi (24.190/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th

Pettis County is a county located in west central U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,980. Its county seat is Sedalia. The county was organized on January 24, 1833, and named after former U.S. Representative Spencer Darwin Pettis.

Pettis County comprises the Sedalia, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The county is home to the site of the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 686 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 682 square miles (1,770 km2) is land and 4.0 square miles (10 km2) (0.6%) is water. It is drained by Lamine River and branches.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • US 50.svg U.S. Route 50
  • US 65.svg U.S. Route 65
  • MO-52.svg Route 52
  • MO-127.svg Route 127
  • MO-135.svg Route 135

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1840 2,930 —
1850 5,150 75.8%
1860 9,392 82.4%
1870 18,706 99.2%
1880 27,271 45.8%
1890 31,151 14.2%
1900 32,438 4.1%
1910 33,913 4.5%
1920 35,813 5.6%
1930 34,664 −3.2%
1940 33,336 −3.8%
1950 31,577 −5.3%
1960 35,120 11.2%
1970 34,137 −2.8%
1980 36,378 6.6%
1990 35,437 −2.6%
2000 39,403 11.2%
2010 42,201 7.1%
2020 42,980 1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010

As of the census of 2000, there were 39,403 people, 15,568 households, and 10,570 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 16,963 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.06% White, 3.04% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.46% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Approximately 3.88% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,568 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,822, and the median income for a family was $38,073. Males had a median income of $29,221 versus $19,554 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,251. About 10.20% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Pettis County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 34,751 80.9%
Black or African American (NH) 1,353 3.15%
Native American (NH) 159 0.37%
Asian (NH) 294 0.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 120 0.28%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,287 5.32%
Hispanic or Latino 4,016 9.34%

Education

Public schools

  • Green Ridge R-VIII School District – Green Ridge
    • Green Ridge Elementary School (K-06)
    • Green Ridge High School (07-12)
  • La Monte R-IV School District – La Monte
    • La Monte Elementary School (PK-06)
    • La Monte High School (07-12)
  • Pettis County R-V School District – Hughesville
    • Northwest Elementary School (K-06)
    • Northwest High School (07-12)
  • Pettis County R-XII School District – Sedalia
    • Pettis County Elementary School (PK-08)
  • Sedalia School District No. 200] – Sedalia
    • Sedalia Early Childhood Education Center (PK)
    • Heber Hunt Elementary School (K-04)
    • Skyline Elementary School (K-04)
    • Parkview Elementary School (K-04)
    • Horace Mann Elementary School (K-04)
    • Washington Elementary School (K-04)
    • Sedalia Middle School (05)
    • Smith-Cotton Junior High School (06-08)
    • Smith-Cotton High School (9-12)
  • Smithton R-VI School District – Smithton
    • Smithton Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Smithton High School (07-12)

Private schools

  • St. Paul's Lutheran School – Sedalia (PK-08) – Lutheran
  • Sedalia Seventh-day Adventist School – Sedalia (01-08) – Seventh-day Adventist
  • Show-Me Christian School – La Monte (K-12) – Nondenominational Christian
  • Applewood Christian School – Sedalia (K-12) – Nondenominational Christian
  • Sacred Heart Schools – Sedalia (K-12) – Roman Catholic
    • Sacred Heart Elementary School (K-06)
    • Sacred Heart High School (07-12)

Post-secondary

  • State Fair Community College – Sedalia – A public, two-year/community college.

Public libraries

  • Boonslick Regional Library
  • Sedalia Public Library

Communities

Cities and Towns

Unincorporated Communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Pettis para niños

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