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Christian County, Missouri facts for kids

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Christian County
The Historic Christian County Courthouse in Ozark
The Historic Christian County Courthouse in Ozark
Map of Missouri highlighting Christian 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 March 8, 1859
Named for William Christian
Seat Ozark
Largest city Nixa
Area
 • Total 564 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Land 563 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water 1.2 sq mi (3 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 88,842
 • Density 157.52/sq mi (60.82/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th

Christian County is located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 88,842. Its county seat is Ozark. The county was organized in 1859 and is named after William Christian, a Kentucky soldier of the American Revolutionary War.

Christian County is part of the Springfield, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Between 2000 and 2010, it was the fastest-growing county in the state and one of the fastest growing ones in the nation as the county became more suburban due to the booming growth in Springfield.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 564 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.2%) is water. The county is drained by James River and branches of the White River. The surface is undulating or hilly.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • US 60.svg U.S. Route 60
  • US 65.svg U.S. Route 65
  • US 160.svg U.S. Route 160
  • MO-13.svg Route 13
  • MO-14.svg Route 14
  • MO-125.svg Route 125

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 5,491
1870 6,707 22.1%
1880 9,628 43.6%
1890 14,017 45.6%
1900 16,939 20.8%
1910 15,832 −6.5%
1920 15,252 −3.7%
1930 13,169 −13.7%
1940 13,538 2.8%
1950 12,412 −8.3%
1960 12,359 −0.4%
1970 15,124 22.4%
1980 22,402 48.1%
1990 32,644 45.7%
2000 54,285 66.3%
2010 77,422 42.6%
2020 88,842 14.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020

As of the census of 2000, there were 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 96 people per square mile (37/km2). There were 21,827 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.7% were of American, 21.1% German, 12.3% English and 11.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 20,425 households, out of which 38.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.00% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 19.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,200, and the median income for a family was $58,806. Males had a median income of $31,929 versus $21,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,873. About 7.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Town

Village

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

  • Billings Township
  • Chadwick Township
  • East Benton Township
  • Finley Township
  • Garrison Township
  • Lead Hill Township
  • Lincoln Township
  • Linden Township
  • McCracken Township
  • North Galloway Township
  • North Linn Township
  • Oldfield Township
  • Polk Township
  • Porter Township
  • Seneca Township
  • South Galloway Township
  • South Linn Township
  • Sparta Township
  • West Benton Township

In popular culture

The 2010 film Winter's Bone was filmed entirely in Taney County and Christian County. Many locals were cast in significant roles in the film.

Education

Public schools

    • Billings Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Billings High School (07-12)
    • Chadwick Elementary School (PK-06)
    • Chadwick High School (07-12)
    • Clever EleMiddle School (PK-08)
    • Clever High School (09-12)
    • Nixa Early Childhood Center (PK)
    • High Pointe Elementary School (K-04)
    • Mathews Elementary School (K-04)
    • Century Elementary School (K-04)
    • Espy Elementary School (K-04)
    • John Thomas School of Discovery (K-06)
    • Nicholas A. Inman Intermediate School (05-06)
    • Summit Intermediate School (05-06)
    • Nixa Jr. High School (07-08)
    • Nixa Public High School (09-12)
    • North Elementary School (K-04)
    • East Elementary School (K-04)
    • West Elementary School (K-04)
    • South Elementary School (K-04)
    • Upper Elementary School (05-06)
    • Ozark Jr. High School (07-08)
    • Ozark High School (09-12)
    • Sparta Elementary School (PK-05)
    • Sparta Middle School (06-08)
    • Sparta High School (09-12)
    • Highlandville Elementary School (PK-05) - Highlandville
    • Spokane Middle School (06-08)
    • Spokane High School (09-12)

Private schools

  • Faith Christian School - Spokane - (PK-12) - Baptist

Colleges and universities

  • Ozarks Technical Community College - Richwood Valley Campus - Public

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Christian (Misuri) para niños

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