Platte County, Missouri

Platte County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 106,718. Its county seat is Platte City.[1] The county was organized December 31, 1838,[2] from the Platte Purchase,[3] named for the Platte River. (Platte is derived from the French word for a low, shallow, or intermittent stream.) The Kansas City International Airport is located in the county, approximately one mile west of Interstate 29 between mile markers 12 and 15. The land for the airport was originally in an unincorporated portion of Platte County before being annexed by Platte City, and eventually Kansas City.

Platte County
Platte County Courthouse
Platte County Courthouse
Flag of Platte County
Map of Missouri highlighting Platte County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°23′N 94°46′W / 39.38°N 94.77°W / 39.38; -94.77
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 31, 1838
Named forPlatte River or Platte Purchase
SeatPlatte City
Largest cityKansas City
Area
 • Total427 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Land420 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total106,718
 • Density250/sq mi (96/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.platte.mo.us

Geography

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Platte County Courthouse in Platte City was built after the original courthouse was burned with the rest of Platte City during the American Civil War. Blanche Barrow was held at the adjoining jail following a Bonnie & Clyde shootout just south of Platte City.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 427 square miles (1,110 km2), of which 420 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.5%) is water.[4] The county's southwestern border with Kansas is formed by the Missouri River.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18408,913
185016,84589.0%
186018,3508.9%
187017,352−5.4%
188017,3660.1%
189016,278−6.3%
190016,193−0.5%
191014,429−10.9%
192013,996−3.0%
193013,819−1.3%
194013,8620.3%
195014,9738.0%
196023,35055.9%
197032,08137.4%
198046,34144.4%
199057,86724.9%
200073,78127.5%
201089,32221.1%
2020106,71819.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[9]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 73,781 people, 29,278 households, and 20,231 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile (68 people/km2). There were 30,902 housing units at an average density of 74 units per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.45% White, 3.49% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.48% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 1.05% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Approximately 3.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.4% were of German, 12.5% Irish, 12.2% American and 11.4% English ancestry.

There were 29,278 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,849, and the median income for a family was $65,236. Males had a median income of $44,310 versus $31,005 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,356. About 3.30% of families and 4.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.70% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

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Platte County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 81,426 76.3%
Black or African American (NH) 8,135 7.62%
Native American (NH) 391 0.36%
Asian (NH) 2,721 2.55%
Pacific Islander (NH) 695 0.65%
Other/Mixed (NH) 6,189 5.8%
Hispanic or Latino 7,161 6.71%

Education

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School districts

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School districts (all full K-12) include:[12]

Public schools

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  • North Platte R-I School DistrictDearborn
    • North Platte Elementary School (PK-03)
    • North Platte Intermediate School (04-06)
    • North Platte Junior High School (07-08)
    • North Platte High School (09-12)
  • Park Hill School DistrictKansas City
    • Russell Jones Education Center (K-12) – (Special Education)
    • Hopewell Elementary School (K-05)
    • Alfred L. Renner Elementary School (K-05)
    • Thomas B. Chinn Elementary School (K-05)
    • English Landing Elementary School (K-05)
    • Graden Elementary School (K-05)
    • Hawthorn Elementary School (K-05)
    • Line Creek Elementary School (K-05)
    • Gerner Family Early Education Center (PK)
    • Prairie Point Elementary School (K-05)
    • Southeast Elementary School (K-05)
    • Tiffany Ridge Elementary School (K-05)
    • Union Chapel Elementary School (K-05)
    • Congress Middle School (06-08)
    • Lakeview Middle School (06-08)
    • Plaza Middle School (06-08)
    • Walden Middle School (06-08)
    • Park Hill High School (09-12) -- within Kansas City city limits
    • Park Hill South High School (09-12) – Riverside
    • LEAD Innovation Studio (09-12)
  • Platte County R-III School DistrictPlatte City
    • Donald D. Siegrist Elementary School (K-5)
    • Pathfinder Elementary School (PK-5)
    • Compass Elementary School (PK-5)
    • Barry Elementary School (PK-5)
    • Platte Purchase Middle School (06-08)
    • Platte City Middle School (06-08)
    • Platte County High School (09-12)
  • West Platte County R-II School DistrictWeston
    • Central Elementary School (PK-06)
    • West Platte County High School (07-12)

Private schools

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Public libraries

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Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Civil townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Local

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The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Platte County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county. However, Governor Jay Nixon carried the county in his two successful elections, and in 2004, Claire McCaskill of Jackson County narrowly won a majority of the county's votes over Republican victor Matt Blunt. While the county has swung to the Republican party, the presence of Kansas City has helped keep the county competitive into the 21st century.

Platte County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor David Cox Republican
Auditor Kevin Robinson Republican
County Clerk Jera Pruitt Republican
Collector Sheila Palmer Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)
Scott Fricker Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)
Dagmar Wood Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)
Joe Vanover Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd Republican
Sheriff Mark Owen Republican
Treasurer Rob Willard Republican

State

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Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 51.84% 29,616 46.02% 26,293 2.14% 1,222
2016 50.20% 24,738 46.62% 22,973 2.58% 1,269
2012 44.64% '20,154 52.39% 23,654 2.97% 1,339
2008 42.51% 19,417 55.23% 25,228 2.26% 1,032
2004 48.31% 20,137 50.31% 20,970 1.32% 577
2000 50.23% 16,971 47.69% 16,115 2.08% 703
1996 36.40% 10,581 61.37% 17,840 2.23% 647

Platte County is divided into three legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, one held by a Republican and two held by Democrats.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 12 — Platte County (2022)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jamie Johnson 7,399 52.16%
Republican Tom Hutsler 6,785 47.84%


  • District 13 — Sean Pouche (R-Kansas City). Consists of the communities of Platte City, Weston, Farley, Ferrelview, and a part of the city of Kansas City. District 13 also consists of portions of Buchannan County.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 13 — Platte County (2022)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sean Pouche 9,323 100% +43.39%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 13 — Platte County (2020)[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sean Pouche 14,054 56.61%
Democratic Vic Abundis 10,774 43.39%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 13 — Platte County (2020)[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Vic Allred 10,575 54.34%
Democratic Mitch Weber 8,864 45.55%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 13 — Platte County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nick Marshall 12,440 59.02% −40.98
Democratic Tyler McCall 8,636 40.98% +40.98
Missouri House of Representatives — District 13 — Platte County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nick Marshall 7,539 100.00% +38.04
Missouri House of Representatives — District 13 — Platte County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nick Marshall 11,712 61.96%
Democratic Gerry Byrne 7,192 38.04
  • District 14 – Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City). Consists of the communities of Houston Lake, Lake Waukomis, Weatherby Lake, Northmoor, and part of the city of Kansas City.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Platte County (2022)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ashley Aune 7,859 53.22% +0.22%
Republican Eric Holmes 6,907 46.78% −0.22%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Platte County (2020)[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ashley Aune 12,076 53.00%
Republican Eric Holmes 10,707 47.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Platte County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Corlew 8,716 50.17% −2.49
Democratic Matt Sain 8,656 49.83% +2.49
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Platte County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Corlew 10,084 52.66% −3.55
Democratic Martin T. Rucker II 9,067 47.34% +3.55
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Platte County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kevin Corlew 4,812 56.21% +1.40
Democratic Stephanie Isaacson 3,749 43.79 −1.40
Missouri House of Representatives — District 14 — Platte County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ron Schieber 9,459 54.81%
Democratic Eric Pendell 7,799 45.19%

All of Platte County is a part of Missouri's 34th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Tony Luetkemeyer (R-Parkville).

Missouri Senate — District 34 — Platte County (2022)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tony Luetkemeyer 22,503 55.07% +3.30%
Democratic Sarah Shorter 18,356 44.93% −3.11%
Missouri Senate — District 34 — Platte County (2018)[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tony Luetkemeyer 22,751 51.77%
Democratic Martin T. Rucker II 21,113 48.04%
Missouri Senate — District 34 — Platte County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rob Schaaf 13,071 59.26%
Democratic Martin T. Rucker 8,987 40.74%

Federal

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U.S. Senate — Missouri — Platte County (2022)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Eric Schmitt 20,304 49.38% +0.79%
Democratic Trudy Busch Valentine 19,918 48.44% +0.17%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 683 1.66% +0.54%
Constitution Paul Venable 215 0.52% +0.52%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Platte County (2018)[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 21,618 48.59%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 21,477 48.27%
Independent Craig O'Dear 670 1.51%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 499 1.12%
Green Jo Crain 200 0.45%
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Platte County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 22,929 46.76% +6.99
Democratic Jason Kander 23,795 48.52% −3.96
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 1,413 2.88% −4.87
Green Johnathan McFarland 530 1.08% +1.08
Constitution Fred Ryman 371 0.76% +0.76
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Platte County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 17,870 39.77%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 23,578 52.48%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 3,480 7.75%

All of Platte County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Platte County (2022)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 22,310 54.41% −0.97%
Democratic Henry Martin 17,827 43.37% +0.92%
Independent Edward A (Andy) Maidment 870 2.12%
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 6th Congressional District – Platte County (2020)[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 31,344 55.38%
Democratic Gena Ross 24,026 42.45%
Libertarian Jim Higgins 1,225 2.16%
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 6th Congressional District – Platte County (2018)[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 24,518 55.45%
Democratic Henry Robert Martin 18,583 42.03%
Libertarian Dan Hogan 1,088 2.46%
U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 6th Congressional District – Platte County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 29,596 60.91% −1.12
Democratic David M. Blackwell 17,016 35.02% +1.33
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 1,321 2.72% −1.56
Green Mike Diel 653 1.34% +1.34
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Platte County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 13,780 62.03% −0.01
Democratic Bill Hedge 7,483 33.69% −1.66
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 951 4.28% +1.67
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Platte County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 27,641 62.04%
Democratic Kyle Yarber 15,753 35.35%
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil 1,162 2.61%
United States presidential election results for Platte County, Missouri[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 28,917 50.49% 27,179 47.46% 1,174 2.05%
2016 25,933 52.28% 20,057 40.43% 3,618 7.29%
2012 25,618 56.04% 19,175 41.95% 917 2.01%
2008 24,460 52.44% 21,459 46.01% 721 1.55%
2004 23,302 55.52% 18,412 43.87% 256 0.61%
2000 17,785 52.23% 15,325 45.00% 944 2.77%
1996 13,332 45.36% 12,705 43.23% 3,352 11.41%
1992 9,380 31.82% 10,920 37.04% 9,178 31.14%
1988 11,838 51.18% 11,225 48.53% 66 0.29%
1984 12,859 62.64% 7,668 37.36% 0 0.00%
1980 10,092 53.81% 7,342 39.14% 1,322 7.05%
1976 8,103 47.51% 8,651 50.73% 300 1.76%
1972 8,764 67.69% 4,183 32.31% 0 0.00%
1968 4,836 42.74% 4,665 41.22% 1,815 16.04%
1964 3,059 33.24% 6,143 66.76% 0 0.00%
1960 4,771 44.88% 5,860 55.12% 0 0.00%
1956 3,596 40.55% 5,271 59.45% 0 0.00%
1952 3,390 42.36% 4,604 57.53% 9 0.11%
1948 1,644 27.34% 4,354 72.40% 16 0.27%
1944 2,344 38.47% 3,741 61.40% 8 0.13%
1940 2,545 35.38% 4,635 64.44% 13 0.18%
1936 1,787 26.71% 4,884 72.99% 20 0.30%
1932 1,160 18.24% 5,179 81.46% 19 0.30%
1928 2,423 41.94% 3,344 57.88% 10 0.17%
1924 1,999 34.80% 3,674 63.96% 71 1.24%
1920 1,724 28.25% 4,361 71.47% 17 0.28%
1916 921 23.52% 2,974 75.96% 20 0.51%
1912 510 14.80% 2,535 73.58% 400 11.61%
1908 982 25.84% 2,795 73.53% 24 0.63%
1904 953 27.06% 2,537 72.03% 32 0.91%
1900 997 24.45% 3,052 74.86% 28 0.69%
1896 1,044 24.47% 3,191 74.80% 31 0.73%
1892 885 23.71% 2,664 71.38% 183 4.90%
1888 1,010 26.75% 2,727 72.24% 38 1.01%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

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Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 5,434, than any candidate from either party in Platte County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "Platte County History". Platte County, Missouri. Archived from the original on March 24, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
  3. ^ Soil Survey (Platte County, Missouri ed.). U.S. Dept of Agriculture. 1923. p. 2. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 24, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Platte County, Missouri".
  12. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Platte County, MO" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022. - Text list
  13. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Mid-Continent Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "2022 Official Results" (PDF). Platte County Board of Elections. November 8, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c "Platte County Board of Elections" (PDF). Platte County Board of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 25, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d "Platte County 2018 Election Results" (PDF). Platte County Board of Elections. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2022.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
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39°23′N 94°46′W / 39.38°N 94.77°W / 39.38; -94.77