Jefferson County is a county located in the state of Missouri, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. As of 2000, the population is 198,099. Its county seat is Hillsboro.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,720 km˛ (664 mi˛). 1,701 km˛ (657 mi˛) of it is land and 19 km˛ (7 mi˛) of
it is water. The total area is 1.10% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 198,099 people, 71,499 households, and 54,553
families residing in the county. The population density is 116/km˛ (302/mi˛). There are 75,586
housing units at an average density of 44/km˛ (115/mi˛). The racial makeup of
the county is 97.48% White, 0.68% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 71,499 households out of which 38.90% have children under the age
of 18 living with them, 61.00% are married couples living together, 10.40% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 23.70% are non-families. 18.90% of all
households are made up of individuals and 6.10% have someone living alone who
is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.74 and the average
family size is 3.12.
In the county the population is spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18,
8.50% from 18 to 24, 31.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 9.20% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females
there are 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.90
males.
The median income for a household in the county is $46,338, and the median
income for a family is $51,787. Males have a median income of $37,822 versus
$25,440 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,435. 6.80% of the
population and 4.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.10% of those
under the age of 18 and 6.30% of those 65 and older are living below the
poverty line.
