Jackson County, Missouri
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Template:Infobox U.S. County Jackson County is a county located in the state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population is 654,880. It is the second most populous county in Missouri after St. Louis County, owing mostly to the fact that Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the second most populous metropolitan area is located there. Although Kansas City is by far the county's largest city, the county seat is located in nearby Independence6.
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History
Jackson County was organized on December 15, 1826 and named for Andrew Jackson, U.S. Senator (and later President) from Tennessee.
In 1838, a small piece of land was bought along the Missouri River in northern Jackson County by the "Town Company," which established "Westport Landing" (today Westport). The area outside of Westport Landing was renamed the "Town of Kansas," after the local Kanza Indians, in 1839. The town was incorporated by the State of Missouri as the "City of Kansas" in 1853. In 1889, with a population of around 60,000, the city adopted a new charter and changed its name to Kansas City. In 1897, Kansas City annexed Westport.
The county features prominently in the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith, Jr. taught that the Garden of Eden was located in what is now Jackson County
During the Civil War, most of the county (except the portion known then as "Kaw Township" - today the heart of Kansas City) was burned to the ground General Order No. 11 (1863).
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,596 km² (616 mi²). 1,567 km² (605 mi²) of it is land and 30 km² (12 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.88% water.
The Missouri River comprises Jackson County's northern border. The county has historically been a major traveling point for American river travel.
Adjacent counties
- Clay County (north)
- Ray County (north-east)
- Lafayette County (east)
- Johnson County (south-east)
- Cass County (south)
- Johnson County, Kansas (south-west)
- Wyandotte County, Kansas (north-west)
Major highways
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 654,880 people, 266,294 households, and 166,167 families residing in the county. The population density was 418/km² (1,083/mi²). There were 288,231 housing units at an average density of 184/km² (476/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.10% White, 23.27% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 2.43% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. 5.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 266,294 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.40% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.60% were non-families. 31.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,277, and the median income for a family was $48,435. Males had a median income of $35,798 versus $27,403 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,788. 11.90% of the population and 9.00% of families were below the poverty line. 16.40% of those under the age of 18 and 8.70% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
Image:Kansas-City-Missouri-Downtown at Twighlight.jpg
