Maries County, Missouri

Maries County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 8,432.^[1] Its county seat is Vienna.^[2] The county was organized March 2, 1855, and named for the Maries River and Little Maries River. The word "Maries" is derived from the French word marais, which means "marsh, lake, or pond".

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 530 square miles (1,400 km²), of which 527 square miles (1,360 km²) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) (0.6%) is water.^[3]

• Osage County (north)
• Gasconade County (northeast)
• Phelps County (southeast)
• Pulaski County (southwest)
• Miller County (west)

• U.S. Route 63
• Route 28
• Route 42
• Route 52
• Route 68
• Route 133

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,432. The median age was 45.2 years, 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 21.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.8 males age 18 and over.^[9]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population.^[10]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[20]

There were 3,477 households in the county, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[9]

There were 4,263 housing units, of which 18.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.6% were owner-occupied and 21.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%.^[9]

As of the 2000 census, there were 8,903 people, 3,519 households, and 2,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km²). There were 4,149 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km²).^[21]

The racial makeup of the county was 97.43% White, 0.33% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Approximately 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,519 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,925, and the median income for a family was $39,187. Males had a median income of $28,524 versus $20,705 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,662. About 10.10% of families and 13.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.30% of those under age 18 and 13.20% of those age 65 or over.

School districts include (including ones which operate their schools and/or administrative buildings in other counties):^[22]

• Maries County R-I School District – Vienna
  • Vienna Elementary School (PK-06)
  • Vienna High School (07-12)
• Maries County R-II School District – Belle
  • Belle Elementary School (PK-05)
  • Maries County Middle School (06-08)
  • Belle High School (09-12)

• Visitation Inter-Parish School – Vienna (K-08) – Roman Catholic

• Heartland Regional Library System^[23]

Once predominantly controlled by the Democratic Party, the local politics in Maries County have become more mixed over the last several years. Democrats currently hold six elected positions while Republicans hold five seats.

All of Maries County is a part of Missouri's 143rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. (R-Meta).

All of Maries County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City).

All of Maries County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 844, than any candidate from either party in Maries County during the 2008 presidential primary.

• Argyle (also in Osage County)
• Belle (a small portion extends into Osage County)
• Vienna (county seat)

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Maries County, Missouri

• History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries and Osage counties, Missouri : from the earliest time to the present, including a department devoted to the preservation of sundry personal, business, professional and the private records; besides a valuable fund of notes, original observations, etc. etc. (1889)online

• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Maries County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

38°11′N 91°55′W / 38.18°N 91.92°W / 38.18; -91.92