# Miller County, Missouri

Miller County is a county located in the northern Ozarks region of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,722. Its county seat is Tuscumbia. The county was organized February 6, 1837, and named for John Miller, former U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 600 square miles (1,600 km$^2$), of which 593 square miles (1,540 km$^2$) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km$^2$) (1.2%) is water.

### Adjacent counties

* Moniteau County (north)
* Cole County (northeast)
* Osage County (northeast)
* Maries County (east)
* Pulaski County (south)
* Camden County (southwest)
* Morgan County (west)

### Major highways

* U.S. Route 54
* Route 17
* Route 42
* Route 52
* Route 87
* Route 134
* Route 242

## Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,564 people, 9,284 households, and 6,443 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15 people/km$^2$). There were 11,263 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 97.99% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Approximately 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,284 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,977, and the median income for a family was $36,770. Males had a median income of $26,225 versus $18,903 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,144. About 10.80% of families and 14.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 14.70% of those age 65 or over.

### 2020 Census

Miller County Racial Composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (NH) | 22,908 | 92.7% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 117 | 0.47% |
| Native American (NH) | 113 | 0.46% |
| Asian (NH) | 64 | 0.26% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 24 | 0.1% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 1,030 | 4.17% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 466 | 1.9% |

## Education
### Public schools

* Eldon R-I School District – Eldon
** South Elementary School (PK-03)
** Eldon Upper Elementary School (04-06)
** Eldon Middle School (07-08)
** Eldon High School (09-12)
* Iberia R-V School District – Iberia
** Iberia Elementary School (PK-06)
** Iberia High School (07-12)
* Miller County R-III School District – Tuscumbia
** Miller County Elementary School (K-08)
** Tuscumbia High School (09-12)
* School of the Osage – Lake Ozark
** Leland O. Mills Elementary School (PK-02)
** Osage Upper Elementary School (03-05)
** Osage Middle School (06-08)
** Osage High School (09-12)
* St. Elizabeth R-IV School District – St. Elizabeth
** St. Elizabeth Elementary School (K-06)
** St. Elizabeth High School (07-12)

### Private schools

* Lakeview Christian Academy – Lake Ozark (K-10) – Nondenominational Christian
* Our Lady of the Snows School – Eugene (K-08) – Roman Catholic
* Eldon Montessori Children's House – Eldon (PK-K) – Nonsectarian
* The King's Academy - Christ the King Lutheran School – Lake Ozark (Preschool-8) – Lutheran

### Public libraries

* Heartland Regional Library System

## Communities
### Cities and towns

* Bagnell
* Brumley
* Eldon (largest city)
* Iberia
* Lake Ozark
* Lakeside
* Olean
* Osage Beach
* St. Elizabeth
* Tuscumbia (county seat)

### Unincorporated communities

* Atwell
* Aurora Springs
* Brays
* Capps
* Etterville
* Faith
* Hoecker
* Kaiser
* Keethtown
* Marys Home
* Pleasant Mount
* Rocky Mount
* Saint Anthony
* Spring Garden
* Ulman
* Watkins
* West Aurora

## Government and Politics
### Political culture

Like most counties in rural western Missouri, Miller County is very Republican. It hasn't supported a Democrat for president since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. The only other time it supported a Democrat in the 20th century was in 1912, when Woodrow Wilson carried the county against a mortally divided GOP. Lyndon Johnson is the last Democrat to garner even 40 percent of the county's vote.
Underlining how Republican the county has been over the years, it rejected native son Harry Truman in 1944 as Roosevelt's running mate, and when he headed the ticket himself in 1948.

### Local

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

### State
#### Gubernatorial

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results :
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
| 2024 | 82.8 10,638 | 14.8% 1,893 | 2.4% 308 |
| 2020 | 82.82% 10,212 | 15.31% 1,888 | 1.87% 231 |
| 2016 | 69.65% 7,924 | 27.37% 3,114 | 2.98% 339 |
| 2012 | 59.85% 6,547 | 36.67% 4,012 | 3.48% 381 |
| 2008 | 55.86% 6,414 | 42.31% 4,858 | 1.84% 211 |
| 2004 | 67.76% 7,331 | 31.15% 3,370 | 1.09% 118 |
| 2000 | 57.12% 5,343 | 39.38% 3,684 | 3.50% 327 |
| 1996 | 45.28% 3,984 | 51.76% 4,554 | 2.97% 261 |

#### Missouri House of Representatives

Miller County is divided into four legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are represented by Republicans.
* District 58 — David Wood (R-Versailles). Consists of the city of Eldon.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 58 — Miller County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Willard Haley | 2,307 | 98.67% | |
| | | Write In | 31 | 1.33% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 58 — Miller County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | David Wood | 1,940 | 83.40% | −16.60 |
| | Democratic | Travis Maupin | 386 | 16.60% | +16.60 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 58 — Miller County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | David Wood | 1,021 | 100.00% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 58 — Miller County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | David Wood | 2,067 | 100.00% | |
* District 59 — Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City). Consists of the community of Olean.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Miller County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Rudy Veit | 1,056 | 99.15% | |
| | | Write In | 9 | 0.85% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Miller County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 941 | 100.00% | +13.18% |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Miller County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 428 | 86.82% | +8.73 |
| | Constitution | Michael Eberle | 65 | 13.18% | +13.18 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Miller County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 802 | 78.09% | |
| | Democratic | Vonnieta E. Trickey | 225 | 21.91% | |
* District 62 — Tom Hurst (R-Meta). Consists of the community of St. Elizabeth.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Miller County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Bruce Sassmann | 877 | 89.95% | |
| | Democratic | Nancy Ragan | 97 | 9.95% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Miller County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Tom Hurst | 878 | 100.00% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Miller County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Tom Hurst | 450 | 100.00% | +23.17 |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Miller County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Tom Hurst | 703 | 76.83% | |
| | Democratic | Greg Stratman | 212 | 23.17% | |
* District 124 — Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark). Consists of most of the county, including the communities of Bagnell, Brumley, Iberia, Kaiser, Lake Ozark, Lakeside, Osage Beach, Tuscumbia, and Ulman.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Miller County (2020) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Lisa Thomas | 6,449 | 98.90% | |
| | | Write In | 72 | 1.10% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Miller County (2016) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Rockay Miller | 6,140 | 100.00% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Miller County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Rocky Miller | 2,842 | 100.00% | |
Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Miller County (2012) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Rocky Miller | 5,717 | 100.00% | |

#### Missouri Senate

All of Miller County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City).
Missouri Senate — District 6 — Miller County (2014) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Mike Kehoe | 4,547 | 85.37% | |
| | Democratic | Mollie Kristen Freebairn | 779 | 14.63% | |

### Federal
#### US Senate

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Miller County (2016) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Roy Blunt | 7,760 | 68.47% | +12.45 |
| Democratic | Jason Kander | 3,032 | 26.75% | −9.27 |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 303 | 2.67% | −5.29 |
| Green | Johnathan McFarland | 114 | 1.01% | +1.01 |
| Constitution | Fred Ryman | 124 | 1.09% | +1.09 |
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Miller County (2012) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Todd Akin | 6,084 | 56.02% |
| Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 3,912 | 36.02% |
| Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 865 | 7.96% |

#### US House of Representatives

All of Miller County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District — Miller County (2016) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 9,228 | 82.06% | −0.69 |
| Democratic | Kevin Miller | 1,641 | 14.59% | +0.94 |
| Libertarian | Dan Hogan | 278 | 2.47% | −1.13 |
| Constitution | Doanita Simmons | 99 | 0.88% | +0.88 |
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Miller County (2014) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 4,436 | 82.75% | +3.62 |
| Democratic | Courtney Denton | 732 | 13.65% | −3.57 |
| Libertarian | Steven Hedrick | 193 | 3.60% | −0.05 |
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Miller County (2012) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 8,548 | 79.13% |
| Democratic | Eric C. Mayer | 1,860 | 17.22% |
| Libertarian | Steven Wilson | 394 | 3.65% |

#### Presidential

United States presidential election results for Miller County, Missouri :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 10,826 | 83.21% | 2,067 | 15.89% | 118 | 0.91% |
| 2020 | 10,176 | 82.08% | 2,038 | 16.44% | 183 | 1.48% |
| 2016 | 9,285 | 80.87% | 1,750 | 15.24% | 447 | 3.89% |
| 2012 | 8,099 | 73.31% | 2,651 | 24.00% | 298 | 2.70% |
| 2008 | 7,797 | 67.43% | 3,553 | 30.73% | 213 | 1.84% |
| 2004 | 7,797 | 71.99% | 2,959 | 27.32% | 75 | 0.69% |
| 2000 | 5,945 | 63.54% | 3,217 | 34.38% | 194 | 2.07% |
| 1996 | 4,387 | 50.20% | 3,110 | 35.59% | 1,242 | 14.21% |
| 1992 | 4,175 | 44.01% | 2,905 | 30.62% | 2,407 | 25.37% |
| 1988 | 5,662 | 68.82% | 2,555 | 31.06% | 10 | 0.12% |
| 1984 | 6,706 | 76.55% | 2,054 | 23.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 5,560 | 67.93% | 2,469 | 30.16% | 156 | 1.91% |
| 1976 | 4,095 | 59.64% | 2,739 | 39.89% | 32 | 0.47% |
| 1972 | 5,682 | 78.05% | 1,598 | 21.95% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 4,425 | 64.88% | 1,727 | 25.32% | 668 | 9.79% |
| 1964 | 3,784 | 56.97% | 2,858 | 43.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 4,482 | 63.43% | 2,584 | 36.57% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 4,085 | 61.71% | 2,535 | 38.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 4,237 | 63.42% | 2,426 | 36.31% | 18 | 0.27% |
| 1948 | 3,088 | 55.03% | 2,514 | 44.80% | 9 | 0.16% |
| 1944 | 3,609 | 61.69% | 2,229 | 38.10% | 12 | 0.21% |
| 1940 | 3,971 | 55.87% | 3,113 | 43.80% | 23 | 0.32% |
| 1936 | 3,607 | 50.90% | 3,436 | 48.49% | 43 | 0.61% |
| 1932 | 2,615 | 40.64% | 3,776 | 58.68% | 44 | 0.68% |
| 1928 | 3,379 | 62.85% | 1,979 | 36.81% | 18 | 0.33% |
| 1924 | 3,011 | 56.16% | 1,962 | 36.60% | 388 | 7.24% |
| 1920 | 3,555 | 64.94% | 1,833 | 33.49% | 86 | 1.57% |
| 1916 | 1,862 | 55.52% | 1,395 | 41.59% | 97 | 2.89% |
| 1912 | 1,240 | 38.98% | 1,257 | 39.52% | 684 | 21.50% |
| 1908 | 2,016 | 57.47% | 1,393 | 39.71% | 99 | 2.82% |
| 1904 | 1,959 | 57.75% | 1,351 | 39.83% | 82 | 2.42% |
| 1900 | 1,796 | 53.63% | 1,493 | 44.58% | 60 | 1.79% |
| 1896 | 1,707 | 50.00% | 1,694 | 49.62% | 13 | 0.38% |
| 1892 | 1,497 | 51.23% | 1,076 | 36.82% | 349 | 11.94% |
| 1888 | 1,596 | 56.06% | 1,195 | 41.97% | 56 | 1.97% |

### Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 1,406, than any candidate from either party in Miller County during the 2008 presidential primary.