Montgomery County, Missouri

Montgomery County is a county in the east central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,322. Its county seat is Montgomery City. The county was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 while attempting to capture Quebec City, Canada.

The county comprises a portion of the Missouri Rhineland. It is approximately halfway between Columbia and St. Louis.

History
The county has evidence of human habitation from 10,000 years ago, the Archaic period of indigenous Americans. An ancient site was found during archaeological excavations at Graham Cave on the Loutre River.

In the early 19th century, European settlement started at a greater pace, after exploration during previous decades by French trappers and British and American fur traders.

Although the Loutre Island area is commonly associated with the German-founded towns of Rhineland and Starkenburg, established by immigrants of the mid-19th century and later, it was originally settled by Missouri's Anglo-southern settlers from places such as Kentucky or Virginia. Although the southern part of the county is more closely associated with Missouri's Rhineland, its northern part is more associated with Missouri's "Little Dixie" region, earning Montgomery county the nickname "Gateway to Little Dixie".

An early house of worship was a log church, which is still maintained as a chapel. St. Martin's Church is also located in Starkenburg, built in 1873 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Above its entrance is the text: "This is the House Of God and the Gate Of Heaven."

Starkenburg is also the site of the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, built in the early 20th century and listed on the NRHP. For further devotions and pilgrimage, the community created an outdoor area for representations of the Stations of the Cross, Mount Calvary and Holy Sepulchre. Starkenburg is located inland from the Missouri River. After the destructive Great Flood of 1993, Rhineland citizens used federal funds to relocate their houses 1.5 mi inland away from the river.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 542 sqmi, of which 536 sqmi is land and 5.8 sqmi (1.1%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Audrain County (northwest)
 * Pike County (northeast)
 * Lincoln County (east)
 * Warren County (southeast)
 * Gasconade County (south)
 * Callaway County (west)
 * Osage County (southwest)

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-70 (MO).svg|20px]] Interstate 70
 * [[Image:US 40.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 40
 * [[Image:MO-19.svg|20px]] Route 19
 * [[Image:MO-94.svg|20px]] Route 94
 * [[Image:MO-161.svg|20px]] Route 161

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,136 people, 4,775 households, and 3,337 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 /mi2. There were 5,726 housing units at an average density of 11 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.97% White, 2.04% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Approximately 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.1% were of German, 18.4% American, 10.2% English and 9.2% Irish ancestry.

There were 4,775 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.90% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,772, and the median income for a family was $38,632. Males had a median income of $27,933 versus $19,809 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,092. About 8.40% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Community groups

 * Montgomery County Human Resource Board
 * Montgomery County Citizens for Health Improvement Project
 * Montgomery County Women in Agriculture
 * Wellsville-Middletown Young Farmers/Young Farm Wives
 * Montgomery City Lions Club
 * Montgomery County Knights of Columbus
 * Montgomery County Literacy Council
 * Montgomery County Extension Council
 * Montgomery County 4-H Council
 * Customs and Classics Car Club
 * Montgomery County Old Threshers Association
 * Montgomery County Fair Association

Public schools

 * Montgomery County R-II School District – Montgomery City
 * Montgomery County Elementary School (PK–5)
 * Jonesburg Elementary School (PK–5) – Jonesburg
 * Montgomery County Middle School (grades 6–8)
 * Montgomery County High School (9–12)
 * Wellsville-Middletown R-I School District – Wellsville
 * Wellsville Elementary School (PK–6)
 * Wellsville High School (7–12)

Private schools

 * Immaculate Conception School – Montgomery City (PK-06) – Roman Catholic

Public libraries

 * Montgomery City Public Library
 * Wellsville Public Library

Cities

 * Bellflower
 * High Hill
 * Jonesburg
 * McKittrick
 * Middletown
 * Montgomery City (county seat)
 * New Florence
 * Wellsville

Village

 * Rhineland

Census-designated places

 * Big Spring
 * Danville

Other unincorporated places

 * Americus
 * Bluffton
 * Buell
 * Egbert
 * Gamma
 * Marling
 * Mineola
 * Prices Branch
 * Starkenburg

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

State
Montgomery County is part of Missouri's 42nd district in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by Bart Korman (R-High Hill).

Montgomery County is a part of Missouri's 10th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Jeanie Riddle (R-Fulton).

Federal
Montgomery County is included in Missouri's 3rd congressional district and is represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.