Pike_County,_Missouri

Pike County, Missouri

Pike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1818 and named for Zebulon M. Pike, explorer. As of 2000, the population is 18,351. Its county seat is Bowling Green. The folksong Sweet Betsy from Pike is generally thought to refer to Pike County, Missouri.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 685 square miles (1,774 km²), of which, 673 square miles (1,743 km²) of it is land and 12 square miles (31 km²) of it is water. The total area is 1.75% water.

Adjacent counties

Ralls County (northwest)
Pike County, Illinois (northeast)
Calhoun County, Illinois (east)
Lincoln County (south)
Montgomery County (southwest)
Audrain County (west)

Pike County, Missouri, is one of the few counties in the United States to border its namesake in another state--in this case, Pike County, Illinois.

Major highways

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 6,451 households, and 4,476 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 7,493 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.44% White, 9.17% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.6% were of American, 24.5% German, 8.9% English and 8.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 6,451 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.70% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 119.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,373, and the median income for a family was $39,059. Males had a median income of $28,528 versus $19,426 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,462. 15.50% of the population and 11.90% of families were below the poverty line. 20.20% of those under the age of 18 and 15.20% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.