Johnson County is a county located in western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,595 with a 2018 estimate of 53,652. Its county seat is Warrensburg. The county was formed December 13, 1834 from Lafayette County and named for Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson.
Johnson County comprises the Warrensburg Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Kansas City-Overland Park-Kansas City, MO-KS Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Lafayette County (north)
Pettis County (east)
Henry County (south)
Cass County (west)
Jackson County (northwest)
Major highways
20px U.S. Route 50
20px Route 2
20px Route 13
20px Route 23
20px Route 58
20px Route 131
Demographics
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/km2). There were 18,886 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (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
Leeton Elementary School (P–5)
Leeton Middle School (6–8)
Leeton High School (9–12)
Warrensburg R-VI School District – Warrensburg
Reese Early Childhood Education Center
Maple Grove Elementary School (P–2)
Ridge View Elementary School (P–2)
Martin Warren Elementary School (3–5)
Sterling Elementary School (3–5)
Warrensburg Middle School (6–8)
Warrensburg High School (9–12)
Warrensburg Area Career Center
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 but two of the elected positions in the 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 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=051 Dean Dohrman] (R-La Monte). Consists of the eastern half of the city of Warrensburg.
District 52 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=052 Nathan Beard] (R-Sedalia). Consists of the community of Knob Noster, and Whiteman Air Force Base.
District 53 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=053 Glen Kolkmeyer] (R-Odessa). Consists of the northern section of the county.
District 54 — [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=054 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 [http://www.senate.mo.gov/mem21/ 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.
Political culture
Johnson is a solidly Republican county. The last Democrat to carry Johnson County was Bill Clinton in 1992.
Communities
Cities
Chilhowee
Kingsville
Knob Noster
Leeton
Warrensburg (county seat)
Villages
Centerview
Holden
Census-designated places
La Tour
Whiteman AFB
Other unincorporated places
Bowen
Bowmansville
Burtville
Columbus
Cornelia
Denton
Dunksburg
Elm
Fayetteville
Fulkerson
Greendoor
Henrietta
Hoffman
Magnolia
Medford
Montserrat
Mount Olive
Owsley
Pittsville
Post Oak
Quick City
Robbins
Rose Hill
Sutherland
Valley City