Franklin County, Missouri
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Franklin County, Missouri | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Missouri |
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 Missouri's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | information needed |
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| Seat | Union |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
2,410 km² (931 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 20 km² (8 mi²), 0.84% |
| Population - (2005) - Density |
101,579 39/km² |
| Website: www.franklinmo.org | |
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Franklin County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area. As of 2005, the population was 101,579. Its county seat is Union6. The county was organized in 1818 and is named for Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,410 km² (931 mi²). 2,390 km² (923 mi²) of it is land and 20 km² (8 mi²) of it (0.84%) is water.
The center of the Missouri River forms the nominal northern border of the county, although the river has since changed its course in places: a portion of Saint Charles County near St. Albans is now south of the river, while a portion of Franklin County near Augusta is north of the river.
The Bourbeuse River runs for 107 miles in the county. It cuts a deep, narrow valley, and is very crooked, it empties into the Meramec River near Union. This river is largely undeveloped and has limited access and few bridges over it: during low water, a number of fords allow crossing.
The county is in the Ozarks region, with steep hills and deep valleys, and caves, springs, and sinkholes charatersitic of karst areas. The underlying rock is typically carbonate, including limestone and dolomite. Mining activity in the county included ores of lead, copper, and zinc, and deposits of refractory clay. The soils in most of the county tend to be thin, rocky red clay, and is poor for most agriculture, while the soil near the Missouri River is dark, rich, and thick, and used primarily for rowcrops such as corn, wheat, and soybean. Much of the county is covered with thick forests, reestablished since in the 1920s.
Urbanization is increasing in the county, especially surrounding Washington and Union, and along Interstate 44. St. Albans is now a continuation of the suburban region of St. Louis County. The majority of the county retains a rural character, and includes extensive wilderness areas. Washington is the biggest town in Franklin County.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Warren County (north)
- St. Charles County & St. Louis County (northeast)
- Jefferson County (east)
- Washington County (southeast)
- Crawford County (southwest)
- Gasconade County (west)
[edit] Major highways
[edit] History
The region was settled during the rule of the Spanish Empire. Washington was the location of the Spanish log fort San Juan del Misuri (1796-1803). Family and followers of Daniel Boone settled the area, starting in 1799.
Substantial numbers of anti-slavery German families started moving to the area in 1833, and they soon overwhelmed the existing population of slaveowners, and became a strong supporter of the Union during the American Civil War; the area was ransaked by General Sterling Price's troops during the war. The county became a railroad and steamboat transportation center, and its manufacturing industry has remained strong from the end of the civil war until today.
Franklin County was featured in the A&E special, "Meth: A County in Crisis".
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 93,807 people, 34,945 households, and 25,684 families residing in the county. The population density was 39/km² (102/mi²). There were 38,295 housing units at an average density of 16/km² (42/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.47% White, 0.94% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 34,945 households out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,474, and the median income for a family was $50,122. Males had a median income of $35,849 versus $23,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,705. About 4.50% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.
