Stoddard County, Missouri is located in the southeastern portion of our state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,968. The county seat is Bloomfield. The county was officially organized on January 2, 1835, and is named for Amos Stoddard, the first American Civil Commandant of Upper Louisiana.
DEMOGRAPHICS
As of 2016, there were 29,588 people, 12,045 households, and 8,480 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 13,598 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% Caucasian, 1.8% Hispanic,1.1% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, and 1.1% from two or more races.
There were 12,045 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,120, and the median income for a family was $41,072. Males had a median income of $26,514 versus $17,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,003. About 12.80% of families and 16.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.20% of those under age 18 and 17.60% of those age 65 or over.
EDUCATION
Public Schools
- Advance R-IV School District - AdvanceAdvance Elementary School (K-06)Advance High School (07-12)
- Bell City R-II School District - Bell CityBell City Elementary School (K-06)Bell City High School (07-12)
- Bernie R-XIII School District - BernieBernie Elementary School (PK-06)Bernie High School (07-12)
- Bloomfield R-XIV School District - BloomfieldBloomfield Elementary School (PK-05)Bloomfield Middle School (06-08)Bloomfield High School (09-12)Bloomfield Juvenile Center (03-12)
- Dexter R-XI School District - DexterSouthwest Elementary School (PK-02)Central Elementary School (03-05)T.S. Hill Middle School (06-08)Dexter High School (09-12)
- Puxico R-VIII School District - PuxicoPuxico Elementary School (PK-05)Puxico Jr. High School (06-08)Puxico High School (09-12)Mingo Technical High School (12)
- Richland R-I School District - EssexRichland Elementary School (K-06)Richland High School (07-12)
Public Libraries
- Advance Community Library
- Bernie Public Library
- Bloomfield Public Library
- Keller Public Library
- Puxico Public Library
Cities
- Advance
- Bell City
- Bernie
- Bloomfield (county seat)
- Dexter
- Dudley
- Essex
- Puxico
Villages
- Baker
- Penermon
Census-designated place
- Grayridge
Other Unincorporated Communities
- Brownwood
- Guam
- Idalia
- Leora
- Painton
- Powe