Webster County is a county located in the state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population is 31,045. Its county seat is Marshfield6. The county was organized in 1855 and named for Senator and Secretary of State Daniel Webster.
History
On April 18, 1880, an intense tornado measuring F4 on the Fujita scale struck Marshfield. Its damage path was 800 yards wide and 64 miles long. The tornado killed 99 people and injured 100, and it is said that 10% of Marshfield's residents were killed and all but 15 of its buildings were destroyed.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,538 km² (594 mi²). 1,537 km² (593 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.06% water.
Adjacent counties
- Dallas County (northwest)
- Laclede County (northeast)
- Wright County (east)
- Douglas County (southeast)
- Christian County (southwest)
- Greene County (west)
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 31,045 people, 11,073 households, and 8,437 families residing in the county. The population density is 20/km² (52/mi²). There are 12,052 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (20/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 96.20% White, 1.16% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. 1.29% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 11,073 households out of which 37.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.00% are married couples living together, 8.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% are non-families. 20.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.72 and the average family size is 3.14.
In the county the population is spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $31,929, and the median income for a family is $36,934. Males have a median income of $28,168 versus $20,768 for females. The per capita income for the county is $14,502. 14.80% of the population and 9.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.00% of those under the age of 18 and 14.10% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.