# Cooper County, Missouri

Cooper County is located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 17,103. Its county seat is Boonville. The county was organized December 17, 1818, and named for Sarshell Cooper, a frontier settler who was killed by Native Americans near Arrow Rock in 1814. It is a part of the Columbia, Missouri metropolitan area.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 569 square miles (1,470 km$^2$), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km$^2$) is land and 4.4 square miles (11 km$^2$) (0.8%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* Howard County (north)
* Boone County (northeast)
* Moniteau County (southeast)
* Morgan County (south)
* Pettis County (west)
* Saline County (northwest)

### Major highways

* Interstate 70
* U.S. Route 40
* Route 5
* Route 41
* Route 87
* Route 98
* Route 135
* Route 179

### National protected area

* Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

## Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 16,670 people, 5,932 households and 4,140 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 inhabitants per square mile (12/km$^2$). There were 6,676 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 89.05% White, 8.96% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Approximately 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.1% were of German, 18.7% American, 8.1% English and 8.0% Irish ancestry.
There were 5,932 households, of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.10% 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.
Age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 14.00% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.00 males.
The median household income was $35,313, and the median family income was $41,526. Males had a median income of $28,513 versus $20,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,648. About 8.30% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 Census

Cooper County Racial Composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (NH) | 14,730 | 86.13% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 920 | 5.4% |
| Native American (NH) | 53 | 0.31% |
| Asian (NH) | 67 | 0.4% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 6 | 0.04% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,005 | 6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 322 | 2% |

## Education
### Public schools

* Blackwater R-II School District Archived April 4, 2006, at the Wayback Machine – Blackwater
** Blackwater Elementary School (PK-08)
* Boonville R-I School District – Boonville
** Hannah Cole Primary School (PK-02)
** David Barton Elementary School (03-05)
** Laura Speed Elliott Middle School (06-08)
** Boonville High School (09-12)
* Cooper County R-IV School District – Bunceton
** Bunceton Elementary School (K-06)
** Bunceton High School (07-12)
* Otterville R-VI School District – Otterville
** Otterville Elementary School (K-06)
** Otterville High School (07-12)
* Pilot Grove C-4 School District – Pilot Grove
** Pilot Grove Elementary School (PK-05)
** Pilot Grove Middle School (06-08)
** Pilot Grove High School (09-12)
* Prairie Home R-V School District – Prairie Home
** Prairie Home Elementary School (K-06)
** Prairie Home High School (07-12)

### Private schools

* Saints Peter & Paul School – Boonville (K-09) – Roman Catholic
* Zion Lutheran School – Bunceton (02-08) – Lutheran
* St. Joseph Elementary School – Pilot Grove (02-09) – Roman Catholic

### Public libraries

* Boonville/Cooper Branch Library

## Politics
### Local

The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Cooper County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.

### State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results :
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
| 2020 | 74.58% 5,435 | 21.87% 1,594 | 3.54% 258 |
| 2016 | 61.89% 4,958 | 35.43% 2,838 | 2.68% 215 |
| 2012 | 51.29% 3,837 | 45.69% 3,418 | 3.02 226 |
| 2008 | 52.28% 4,170 | 45.99% 3,669 | 1.73% 138 |
| 2004 | 61.24% 4,593 | 37.68% 2,826 | 1.08% 81 |
| 2000 | 53.39% 3,641 | 44.18% 3,013 | 2.44% 166 |
| 1996 | 39.00% 2,576 | 57.70% 3,811 | 3.30% 218 |
Cooper County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which elected Republicans, but one is currently vacant.
* District 47 — Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport). Consists of areas east of the city of Boonville.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 47 — Cooper County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chuck Basye | 224 | 81.16% | |
| | Democratic | Adrian Plank | 52 | 18.84% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 47 — Cooper County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chuck Basye | 228 | 69.30% | +0.83 |
| | Democratic | Susan McClintic | 101 | 30.70% | −0.83 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 47 — Cooper County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chuck Basye | 139 | 68.47% | +28.88 |
| | Democratic | John Wright | 64 | 31.53% | −28.88 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 47 — Cooper County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John Wright | 156 | 39.59% | |
| | Republican | Mitch Richards | 238 | 60.41% | |
* District 48 — Tim Taylor (politician) (R-Bunceton). Consists of the communities of Blackwater, Boonville, Bunceton, Otterville, and Pilot Grove.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Cooper County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Tim Taylor (politician) | 4,056 | 65.39% | |
| | Democratic | William (Bill) Betteridge | 2,147 | 34.61% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Cooper County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Dave Muntzel | 5,433 | 82.34% | −17.66 |
| | Independent | Debra Dilks | 1,165 | 17.66% | +17.66 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Cooper County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Dave Muntzel | 2,980 | 100.00% | +32.00 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 48 — Cooper County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Dave Muntzel | 4,278 | 68.00% | |
| | Democratic | Ron Monnig | 2,013 | 32.00% | |
* District 50 — Sara Walsh. (R-Ashland). Consists of the community of Prairie Home and much of the rest of the eastern portion of the county.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cooper County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Sara Walsh | 619 | 81.55% | |
| | Democratic | Kari Chesney | 140 | 18.45% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cooper County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Caleb Jones | 687 | 100.00% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cooper County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Caleb Jones | 336 | 100.00% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cooper County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Caleb Jones | 514 | 100.00% | |
All of Cooper County is a part of Missouri's 19th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Caleb Rowden (R-Columbia).
Missouri Senate — District 19 — Cooper County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Caleb Rowden | 5,707 | 78.92% | |
| | Democratic | Judy Baker | 1,524 | 21.08% | |
Missouri Senate — District 19 — Cooper County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Caleb Rowden | 5,540 | 70.47% | −1.90 |
| | Democratic | Stephen Webber | 2,321 | 29.53% | +1.90 |
Missouri Senate — District 19 — Cooper County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Kurt Schaefer | 5,287 | 72.37% | |
| | Democratic | Mary Wynne Still | 2,019 | 27.63% | |

### Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Cooper County (2016) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 4,668 | 58.55% | +11.46 |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 2,920 | 36.63% | −8.32 |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 239 | 3.00% | −4.96 |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 67 | 0.84% | +0.84 |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 78 | 0.98% | +0.98 |
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Cooper County (2012) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Todd Akin | 3,494 | 47.09% |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 3,335 | 44.95% |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 591 | 7.96% |
All of Cooper 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.
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Cooper County (2020) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 5,434 | 75.39% |
| Democratic | Linsey Simmons | 1,504 | 20.87% |
| Libertarian | Steven Koonse | 270 | 3.75% |
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Cooper County (2016) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 5,721 | 72.93% | +1.26 |
| Democratic | Gordon Christensen | 1,778 | 22.67% | +1.40 |
| Libertarian | Mark Bliss | 345 | 4.40% | −2.66 |
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Cooper County (2014) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 2,813 | 71.67% | +7.68 |
| Democratic | Nate Irvin | 835 | 21.27% | −10.27 |
| Libertarian | Herschel Young | 277 | 7.06% | +3.40 |
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Cooper County (2012) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Vicky Hartzler | 4,689 | 63.99% |
| Democratic | Teresa Hensley | 2,311 | 31.54% |
| Libertarian | Thomas Holbrook | 268 | 3.66% |
| Constitution | Greg Cowan | 60 | 0.82% |
United States presidential election results for Cooper County, Missouri :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 6,393 | 72.10% | 2,347 | 26.47% | 127 | 1.43% |
| 2020 | 6,272 | 72.15% | 2,249 | 25.87% | 172 | 1.98% |
| 2016 | 5,624 | 70.42% | 1,932 | 24.19% | 430 | 5.38% |
| 2012 | 4,887 | 65.06% | 2,474 | 32.94% | 150 | 2.00% |
| 2008 | 4,902 | 61.08% | 2,996 | 37.33% | 128 | 1.59% |
| 2004 | 5,058 | 67.37% | 2,400 | 31.97% | 50 | 0.67% |
| 2000 | 4,072 | 59.97% | 2,567 | 37.81% | 151 | 2.22% |
| 1996 | 2,900 | 43.75% | 2,753 | 41.53% | 976 | 14.72% |
| 1992 | 2,867 | 39.07% | 2,709 | 36.91% | 1,763 | 24.02% |
| 1988 | 3,737 | 59.64% | 2,510 | 40.06% | 19 | 0.30% |
| 1984 | 4,603 | 67.47% | 2,219 | 32.53% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 3,996 | 58.34% | 2,687 | 39.23% | 166 | 2.42% |
| 1976 | 3,694 | 54.25% | 3,087 | 45.34% | 28 | 0.41% |
| 1972 | 5,172 | 68.92% | 2,332 | 31.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,115 | 55.29% | 2,798 | 37.59% | 530 | 7.12% |
| 1964 | 3,530 | 45.66% | 4,201 | 54.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,672 | 54.77% | 3,858 | 45.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 4,995 | 58.72% | 3,511 | 41.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 5,208 | 59.90% | 3,475 | 39.97% | 12 | 0.14% |
| 1948 | 4,094 | 51.38% | 3,865 | 48.51% | 9 | 0.11% |
| 1944 | 4,928 | 56.79% | 3,729 | 42.98% | 20 | 0.23% |
| 1940 | 5,720 | 55.30% | 4,606 | 44.53% | 17 | 0.16% |
| 1936 | 4,980 | 48.84% | 5,188 | 50.88% | 29 | 0.28% |
| 1932 | 3,695 | 40.05% | 5,493 | 59.54% | 38 | 0.41% |
| 1928 | 4,794 | 52.02% | 4,413 | 47.88% | 9 | 0.10% |
| 1924 | 4,755 | 52.76% | 4,070 | 45.16% | 187 | 2.08% |
| 1920 | 5,151 | 58.16% | 3,657 | 41.29% | 48 | 0.54% |
| 1916 | 2,830 | 52.27% | 2,537 | 46.86% | 47 | 0.87% |
| 1912 | 2,270 | 44.84% | 2,444 | 48.28% | 348 | 6.87% |
| 1908 | 2,679 | 50.73% | 2,555 | 48.38% | 47 | 0.89% |
| 1904 | 2,767 | 51.98% | 2,485 | 46.68% | 71 | 1.33% |
| 1900 | 2,738 | 48.96% | 2,756 | 49.28% | 98 | 1.75% |
| 1896 | 2,711 | 47.06% | 3,028 | 52.56% | 22 | 0.38% |
| 1892 | 2,222 | 45.25% | 2,484 | 50.59% | 204 | 4.15% |
| 1888 | 2,416 | 47.02% | 2,685 | 52.26% | 37 | 0.72% |

## Communities
### Cities

* Blackwater
* Boonville (county seat)
* Bunceton
* Otterville
* Pilot Grove
* Prairie Home

### Villages

* Windsor Place
* Wooldridge

### Unincorporated communities

* Bellair
* Billingsville
* Chouteau Springs
* Clarks Fork
* Clifton City
* Harriston
* Lamine
* Lone Elm
* New Lebanon
* Overton
* Pisgah
* Pleasant Green
* Speed

### Townships

Cooper County is divided into 14 townships:
* Blackwater
* Boonville
* Clark Fork
* Clear Creek
* Kelly
* Lamine
* Lebanon
* North Moniteau
* Otterville
* Palestine
* Pilot Grove
* Prairie Home
* Saline
* South Moniteau

## Notable person

* Country music singer Sara Evans was born in Cooper County.