Dade County is a county located in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,569. Its county seat is Greenfield. The county was organized in 1841 and named after Major Francis L. Dade of Virginia, who was killed in the Second Seminole War in 1835.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 506 sqmi, of which 490 sqmi is land and 16 sqmi (3.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,923 people, 3,202 households, and 2,276 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 /mi2. There were 3,758 housing units at an average density of 8 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Approximately 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 3,202 households, out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males. The median income for a household in the county was $29,097, and the median income for a family was $33,651. Males had a median income of $26,092 versus $18,464 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,254. About 9.30% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 13.10% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Public libraries

Communities

Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Local

The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Dade County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.

State

All of Dade County is a part of Missouri's 127th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Ann Kelley (R-Lamar). All of Dade County is a part of Missouri's 32nd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Ron Richard (R-Joplin).

Federal

All of Dade 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

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) received more votes, a total of 769, than any candidate from either party in Dade County during the 2008 presidential primary. He fell just 25 votes short from receiving the same number of votes cast in the entire Democratic primary in Dade County.