Dent County

As of the 2020 United States Census, Dent County, Missouri, had a population of 14,421. The racial makeup was predominantly White (96.6%), with small percentages of Black or African American (0.2%), Native American (0.6%), Asian (0.3%), and other races (0.4%). Approximately 2% identified as Hispanic or Latino. The median age was 43.4 years. The county covered 755 square miles, with a population density of about 19.1 people per square mile. The median household income was $39,025, and about 16.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

As of the latest data available, Dent County, MO has a median home value of approximately $102,200. The housing market sees about 64% of residents owning their homes, while 36% are renters. The median rent in Dent County is around $594 per month. Residential growth has remained modest, with a mix of historic and newer construction homes. The average household size is about 2.5 people. The county remains attractive for its affordability and rural charm.

Dent County, Missouri often participates in a range of local, state, and federal elections. For the most recent general election held in 2022, the voter turnout was approximately 48.8% of the 9,156 registered voters.

Key local positions up for election included the County Commissioner, Sheriff, and Assessor. Notable candidates were:

• Republican James "Jim" Anderson, running for County Commissioner.
• Democratic candidate Sarah Whitaker, also running for County Commissioner.
• Independent Thomas Shaw for Sheriff, and incumbent Republican Sheriff Bob Wells.

State-level positions saw candidates like:

• Incumbent Republican Senator Josh Hawley.
• Democratic challenger Trudy Busch Valentine.

Additionally, voters decided on various state amendments and propositions, including marijuana legalization and changes to election laws.

For the most accurate and updated information, contact the Dent County Clerk's Office or visit their official website.

As of the most recent data, Dent County, MO, sees educational attainment levels that lag behind state and national averages. Approximately 82.9% of residents have a high school diploma or higher, compared to Missouri's state average of around 90.6% and the national average of 88.0%. Only about 13.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly below Missouri's 29.0% and the national average of 33.1%. These figures indicate that Dent County faces educational challenges and falls short in higher education attainment compared to broader averages.

As of recent data, Dent County, MO has a labor force participation rate of around 55%, with an unemployment rate of approximately 4.5%, slightly higher than the national average of 3.7% and approximately aligning with Missouri's state average. The county has noteworthy employment in several key industries:

1. Manufacturing, employing about 22% of the workforce compared to the national average of 8.5%.
2. Healthcare and social assistance industry accounts for around 18%, in line with the national average of 16%.
3. Retail trade employs approximately 11%, slightly lower than the national average of 12%.

Agriculture also plays a significant role due to the county's rural nature. In comparison, Missouri's overall employment sees a higher participation in sectors like educational services and professional business services. While national trends show a higher representation in technology and financial activities, these sectors are less prevalent in Dent County.

As of the most recent data, Dent County, MO, has an average household income of approximately $41,000 per year. In comparison, the median household income in the state of Missouri is around $55,000 annually, while the national average stands at roughly $68,700 per year. This indicates that Dent County's average income is significantly lower than both state and national averages.

Dent County’s income levels reflect local economic conditions, which may include a lower cost of living and fewer high-income job opportunities compared to urban areas and more affluent regions.

Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and based on available data as of 2021.

As of the latest data, Dent County, Missouri, has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. The violent crime rate is approximately 3.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate is about 9.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. These figures are lower than the national averages for both violent (4.49 per 1,000) and property (22.0 per 1,000) crimes.

These statistics reflect a safer community in comparison to broader national crime metrics.