{{short description|County in Missouri, United States}} {{Distinguish|Camden, Missouri}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Camden County | state = Missouri | seal = | founded year = 1841 | founded date = January 29 | seat wl = Camdenton | largest city wl = Osage Beach | area_total_sq_mi = 709 | area_land_sq_mi = 656 | area_water_sq_mi = 53 | area percentage = 7.4 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 42745 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 44047 {{increase}} | population_density_sq_mi = auto | time zone = Central | footnotes = | web = http://www.camdenmo.org | named for = Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden | district = 3rd | district2 = 4th | ex image = Camden County MO Courthouse 20160423 1916 2.jpg | ex image cap = The Camden County Courthouse in Camdenton }}
'''Camden County''' is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 42,745.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=2020 Population and Housing State Data|url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> Its county seat is Camdenton.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was organized on January 29, 1841, as Kinderhook County and renamed Camden County in 1843 after Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom and leader of the British Whig Party.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n36 268]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Disappearing Missouri Names |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/861825/missouri_toponyms/|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=March 19, 1911|page=15|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = August 15, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref> Camden County is also the primary setting of the Netflix show Ozark.
==History==
===Settlement and founding=== There is no preserved record of the area that is now Camden County being inhabited before 1827, when Kentuckian settlers Harrison Davis and Reuben Berry pitched a camp on the Dry Auglaize Creek, eight miles east of what is now Linn Creek. Throughout the next few years, more settlers came into the area, and by 1831, there were thirteen families living near the Dry Auglaize. Records of settling the Wet Auglaize Creek date back to the beginning of 1832. The first school in Camden County was built on a farm in 1833.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=J. W. |date=September 3, 1836 |title=Camden County History |url=https://mogenweb.org/camden/history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605210446/https://mogenweb.org/camden/history.html |archive-date=2024-06-05 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=mogenweb}}</ref>
===Original county seat=== The town of Oregon was established in 1841 and became the county seat. In 1843, when the name of the county was changed from Kinderhook to Camden, the name of Oregon was changed to Erie. In 1854, a cholera epidemic struck Erie, leaving only 7 survivors. As a result, the county seat was changed to Linn Creek in 1855.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Camden County Historical Society |title=Oregon / Erie |journal=Camden County Museum |publication-place=Linn Creek, Missouri, United States}}</ref>
===American Civil War=== Camden County saw some fighting during the American Civil War.
====Battle of Monday's Hollow==== {{Infobox military conflict | conflict = Battle of Monday's Hollow | place = Camden County, Missouri | partof = the American Civil War | result = Union victory | combatant1 = {{flagicon|USA|1861}} United States | date = October 13, 1861 | combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Missouri State Guard.svg}} Missouri State Guard | commander1 = {{plainlist| * {{flagicon|USA|1861}} Col. John Wyman * {{flagicon|USA|1861}} Maj. Clark Wright * {{flagicon|USA|1861}} Maj. W.D. Bowen }} | commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Missouri State Guard.svg}} Lt. Col. J.M. Johnson | casualties1 = 1 killed | casualties2 = Approximately 100 killed and wounded | units1 = {{flagicon|USA|1861}} 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment<br> {{flagicon|USA|1861}} 13th Illinois Cavalry Regiment * Frémont Battalion * First Battalion | units2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Missouri State Guard.svg}} Unnamed cavalry unit }} On October 13, 1861, the Battle of Monday's Hollow took place. Colonel John Wyman led the 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment from the east towards Linn Creek, while the 13th Illinois Cavalry Regiment, consisting of Major Clark Wright's Frémont Battalion and Major W.D. Bowen's First Battalion headed southwest towards Lebanon. Bowen's forces collided with a Missouri State Guard cavalry unit commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J.M. "Myscal" Johnson. Bowen called for assistance from Wright and Wyman, halting near where Missouri Route 7 now crosses Murphy Creek. The Union forces saw Johnson's cavalry, and Wyman attacked, driving the Missouri State Guard in the direction of Lebanon.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Civil War in Camden County |publisher=Missouri's Civil War Heritage Foundation, Inc. |location=Linn Creek, Missouri, United States |chapter=Combat in Camden County}}</ref>
====Skirmish at Linn Creek==== Wyman remained in his camp for several days after the Battle of Monday's Hollow. Southern partisans took control of an undefended Linn Creek. On October 14, 1861, the Frémont Battalion descended on the town and drove out the southerners, taking 37 prisoners.<ref name=":0" />
==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|709|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|656|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|53|sqmi}} (7.4%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021170230/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 14, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref>
===Adjacent counties=== *Morgan County (north) *Miller County (northeast) *Pulaski County (east) *Laclede County (southeast) *Dallas County (southwest) *Hickory County (west) *Benton County (northwest)
===Major highways=== *20px U.S. Route 54 *20px Route 5 *20px Route 7
==Demographics== {{US Census population |1850= 2338 |1860= 4975 |1870= 6108 |1880= 7266 |1890= 10040 |1900= 13113 |1910= 11582 |1920= 10474 |1930= 9142 |1940= 8971 |1950= 7861 |1960= 9116 |1970= 13315 |1980= 20017 |1990= 27495 |2000= 37051 |2010= 44002 |2020= 42745 |estyear=2025 |estimate=44047 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 12, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mo190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2015<ref name="QF"/> | align = right }}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Camden County, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/missouri/1980a_moabc-02.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|pages=20–25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113072719/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/missouri/1980a_moabc-02.pdf| archive-date=November 13, 2025|via= Wayback Machine}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=United States Census Bureau|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-27.pdf|access-date=|pages=13–63|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313112841/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-27.pdf| archive-date=March 13, 2025|via= Wayback Machine}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Camden County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US29029&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Camden County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29029&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Camden County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29029&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |19,749 |27,120 |35,954 |41,913 |style='background: #ffffe6; |38,714 |98.66% |98.64% |97.04% |95.25% |style='background: #ffffe6; |90.57% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |30 |57 |94 |170 |style='background: #ffffe6; |247 |0.15% |0.21% |0.25% |0.39% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.58% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |61 |101 |168 |199 |style='background: #ffffe6; |177 |0.30% |0.37% |0.45% |0.45% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.41% |- |Asian alone (NH) |36 |45 |107 |175 |style='background: #ffffe6; |221 |0.18% |0.16% |0.29% |0.40% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.52% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |14 |7 |style='background: #ffffe6; |28 |x |x |0.04% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.07% |- |Other race alone (NH) |10 |2 |20 |22 |style='background: #ffffe6; |128 |0.05% |0.01% |0.05% |0.05% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |348 |502 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,875 |x |x |0.94% |1.14% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.39% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |131 |170 |346 |1,014 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,355 |0.65% |0.62% |0.93% |2.30% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.17% |- |'''Total''' |'''20,017''' |'''27,495''' |'''37,051''' |'''44,002''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''42,745 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}
===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 42,745. The median age was 51.6 years. 18.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=county%3A029&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 17, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
The racial makeup of the county was 91.5% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.2% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=county%3A029&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 17, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
43.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 56.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=county%3A029&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 17, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 18,617 households in the county, of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 39,473 housing units, of which 52.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.4% were owner-occupied and 20.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 18.5%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===2000 census=== As of the 2000 census,<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 37,051 people, 15,779 households, and 11,297 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|57|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 33,470 housing units at an average density of {{convert|51|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.68% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Approximately 0.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,779 households, out of which 23.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.80% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.68.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.30% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 31.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,840, and the median income for a family was $40,695. Males had a median income of $28,020 versus $20,825 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,197. About 8.00% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.
===Religion=== According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Camden County is part of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Camden County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (33.09%), nondenominational evangelical groups (13.92%), and Roman Catholics (11.44%).
==Education== ===Public schools=== *Camdenton R-III School District – Camdenton **Dogwood Elementary School (PK-02) **Hawthorn Elementary School (03–04) **Osage Beach Elementary School (PK-04) **Hurricane Deck Elementary School (PK-04) **Oak Ridge Intermediate School (05–06) **Camdenton Middle School (07–08) **Camdenton High School (09–12) *[http://www.csprings.k12.mo.us/ Climax Springs R-IV School District] – Climax Springs **Climax Springs Elementary School (K-06) **Climax Springs High School (07–12) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120105051846/http://mcreek.k12.mo.us/ Macks Creek R-V School District] – Macks Creek **Macks Creek Elementary School (PK-06) **Macks Creek High School (07–12) *[http://www.stoutlandschools.com/ Stoutland R-II School District] – Stoutland **Stoutland Elementary School (PK-06) **Stoutland High School (07–12)
===Private schools=== *[http://lakechristianacademy.com/ Lake Christian Academy] - Sunrise Beach (PK-12) - Nondenominational Christian
===Public libraries=== *[http://www.ccld.us Camden County Library District]<ref>{{cite web | last = Breeding | first = Marshall | title = Camden County Library District | publisher = Libraries.org | url = https://librarytechnology.org/library/10775 | access-date = May 8, 2017}}</ref>
==Communities== ===Cities=== *Camdenton (county seat) *Lake Ozark (mostly in Miller County) *Linn Creek *Osage Beach (largest city, also in Miller County) *Richland (mostly in Pulaski County and a small part in Laclede County)
===Villages=== *Friedenswald *Stoutland *Sunrise Beach *Village of Four Seasons
===Census-designated places=== *Climax Springs *Macks Creek *Montreal
===Other unincorporated places=== {{Div col|colwidth=10em|rules=no}} * Bannister * Barnumton * Branch * Damsel * Decaturville * Edith * Green Bay Terrace * Hugo * Hurricane Deck * Neongwah * Passover * Purvis * Roach * Sagrada * Toronto * Wet Glaize {{Div col end}}
==Notable people== * Joseph W. McClurg, Governor of Missouri (1869–1871) and U.S. Representative from Missouri (1863–1868)
==Politics== {{update|section|date=April 2023}}{{more citations needed|date=April 2023}}
===Local=== The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Camden County.
{{Missouri county elected officials | name =Camden County, Missouri | assessor =Marty McGuire | assessorparty =Republican | circuitclerk =Kayla Henry | circuitclerkparty =Republican | countyclerk =Rowland Todd | countyclerkparty =Republican | presiding =Ike Skelton | presidingparty =Republican | district1 =James Gohagan | district1party =Republican | district2 =Steve Dougan | district2party =Republican | collector =Teresa Murray | collectorparty =Republican | prosecutor =Richelle Christensen-Grosvenor | prosecutorparty =Republican | administrator =Thomas Gorsline | administratorparty=Republican | recorder =Donnie Snelling | recorderparty =Republican | sheriff =Chris Edgar | sheriffparty =Republican | treasurer =Kendra Hicks | treasurerparty =Republican }}
===State=== {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;" |+ Past gubernatorial election results |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! Republican ! Democratic ! Third Parties |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|2024 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''75.95%''' ''19,104'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|21.94% ''5,519'' |align="center" |2.11% ''532'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|2020 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''76.18%''' ''18,837'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|22.08% ''5,461'' |align="center" |1.74% ''430'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|2016 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''67.09%''' ''15,050'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|29.80% ''6,686'' |align="center" |3.11% ''698'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|2012 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.91%''' ''11,986'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|42.19% ''9,210'' |align="center" |2.90% ''632'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|2008 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|48.79% ''10,716'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''49.15%''' ''10,795'' |align="center" |2.06% ''453'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|2004 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''61.18%''' ''11,956'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|37.87% ''7,401'' |align="center" |0.95% ''184'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|2000 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''56.24%''' ''9,555'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.55% ''7,059'' |align="center" |2.21% ''376'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|1996 |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''50.25%''' ''7,385'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.34% ''6,810'' |align="center" |3.42% ''502'' |}
Camden County is split between two legislative districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are represented by Republicans.
*District 123 — [https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2021&code=R&district=123 Suzie Pollock] (R-Lebanon). Consists of the southern half of the county, including the communities of Camdenton, Linn Creek, Macks Creek, and Stoutland. {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 123 — Camden County (2020)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Suzie Pollock''' |votes = '''9,459''' |percentage = '''87.16%''' |change = '''+11.25''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Pat Bellew |votes = 1,394 |percentage = 12.84% |change = +12.84 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 123 — Camden County (2018)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Suzie Pollock''' |votes = '''6,920''' |percentage = '''75.91%''' |change = '''-24.09''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Joe Register |votes = 2,196 |percentage = 24.09% |change = +24.09 }} {{Election box end}}
*District 124 — [https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2021&code=R&district=124 Lisa Thomas] (R-Lake Ozark). Consists of the northern half of the county, including the communities of Climax Springs, Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Village of Four Seasons. {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Camden County (2020)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Lisa Thomas''' |votes = '''11,287''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = '''-24.18''' }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 124 — Camden County (2018)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Rocky Miller''' |votes = '''7,971''' |percentage = '''75.82%''' |change = '''-24.18''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Dakopolos |votes = 2,542 |percentage = 24.18% |change = +24.18 }} {{Election box end}}
All of Camden County is a part of Missouri's 16th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by [https://www.senate.mo.gov/mem16/ Justin Brown] (R-Rolla). {{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 16 — Camden County (2018)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Justin Brown''' |votes = '''14,356''' |percentage = '''73.37%''' |change = '''-26.63''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Ryan Dillon |votes = 5,211 |percentage = 26.63% |change = +26.63 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 16 — Camden County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Dan Brown''' |votes = '''8,760''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}}
===Federal=== Most of Camden 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. Luetkemeyer was elected to a seventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Megan Rezabek. {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Camden County (2020)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Blaine Luetkemeyer''' |votes = '''11,652''' |percentage = '''77.57%''' |change = '''+2.21''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Megan Rezabek |votes = 3,122 |percentage = 20.78% |change = -2.12 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Leonard J. Steinman II |votes = 248 |percentage = 1.65% |change = -0.10 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Camden County (2018)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Blaine Luetkemeyer''' |votes = '''9,051''' |percentage = '''75.36%''' |change = '''-0.36''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Katy Geppert |votes = 2,750 |percentage = 22.90% |change = +1.95 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Donald V. Stolle |votes = 210 |percentage = 1.75% |change = -0.90 }} {{Election box end}}
Part of Camden County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons. {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Camden County (2020)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Vicky Hartzler''' |votes = '''7,270''' |percentage = '''78.03%''' |change = '''+1.57''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Lindsey Simmons |votes = 1,809 |percentage = 19.42% |change = -1.98 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Steven K. Koonse |votes = 238 |percentage = 2.55% |change = +0.41 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Camden County (2018)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Vicky Hartzler''' |votes = '''5,980''' |percentage = '''76.46%''' |change = '''-0.22''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Renee Hoagenson |votes = 1,674 |percentage = 21.40% |change = +1.72 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Mark Bliss |votes = 167 |percentage = 2.14% |change = -1.50 }} {{Election box end}}
Camden County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford). {{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate – Class I – Camden County (2018)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Josh Hawley''' |votes = '''13,995''' |percentage = '''69.94%''' |change = '''+20.15''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Claire McCaskill |votes = 5,425 |percentage = 27.11% |change = -15.86 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Independent (politician) |candidate = Craig O'Dear |votes = 299 |percentage = 1.49% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Japheth Campbell |votes = 294 |percentage = 1.02% |change = -6.20 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Green Party (United States) |candidate = Jo Crain |votes = 87 |percentage = 0.44% |change = +0.44 }} {{Election box end}}
Blunt was elected to a second term in 2016 over then-Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander. {{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate — Missouri — Camden County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Roy Blunt''' |votes = '''14,434''' |percentage = '''64.36%''' |change = '''+14.57''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jason Kander |votes = 6,995 |percentage = 31.19% |change = -11.78 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Dine |votes = 580 |percentage = 2.59% |change = -4.63 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Fred Ryman |votes = 210 |percentage = 0.94% |change = +0.94 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Green Party (United States) |candidate = Johnathan McFarland |votes = 208 |percentage = 0.93% |change = +0.93 }} {{Election box end}}
====Political culture====
{{PresHead|place=Camden County, Missouri|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1888|Republican|1,056|675|225|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1892|Republican|1,070|602|310|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,326|1,287|18|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,511|1,078|10|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,466|883|85|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,446|955|54|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1912|Republican|918|667|284|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,261|930|54|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,276|1,034|39|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,732|1,196|103|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,085|606|4|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,497|1,801|15|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1936|Republican|2,281|1,908|6|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,692|1,549|5|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,180|990|5|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,020|1,264|7|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,789|1,226|10|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,817|1,460|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,509|1,759|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|2,607|2,522|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,500|1,605|633|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,996|1,761|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,469|3,975|66|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,541|3,416|289|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,057|3,088|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,773|3,930|56|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|5,554|5,140|3,933|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|7,190|5,566|1,938|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,358|6,323|418|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|13,122|6,296|101|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|14,074|7,773|350|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|15,092|6,458|465|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|16,944|4,768|968|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|18,850|5,652|310|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|19,597|5,724|301|Missouri}} {{PresFoot}}
Camden County has long been a Republican stronghold. The last Democrat to carry the county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932, the only time a Democrat has won the county since Stephen Douglas in 1860. Underlining how Republican the county is, it rejected native son Harry Truman in 1944 when he was Roosevelt's running mate, and when he headed the ticket himself in 1948. Jimmy Carter is the only Democrat since Lyndon B. Johnson to manage even 40 percent of the county's vote.
Like most rural areas in western Missouri, voters in Camden County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings.
===Missouri presidential preference primaries===
====2020==== The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Camden County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election. {{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Camden County (2020)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Joe Biden''' |votes = '''2,101''' |percentage = '''69.14''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Bernie Sanders |votes = 756 |percentage = 24.88 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Tulsi Gabbard |votes = 34 |percentage = 1.12 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Others/Uncommitted |votes = 148 |percentage = 4.87 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced a primary challenge from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, but won both Camden County and statewide by overwhelming margins. {{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Camden County (2020)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Donald Trump''' |votes = '''3,564''' |percentage = '''97.94''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Bill Weld |votes = 14 |percentage = 0.39 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Others/Uncommitted |votes = 61 |percentage = 1.68 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
====2016==== The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall, but carried a majority of the vote in Camden County. He went on to win the presidency. {{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Camden County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Donald Trump''' |votes = '''5,467''' |percentage = '''54.88''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Ted Cruz |votes = 2,985 |percentage = 29.97 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John Kasich |votes = 846 |percentage = 8.49 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Marco Rubio |votes = 473 |percentage = 4.75 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Others/Uncommitted |votes = 190 |percentage = 1.91 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) narrowly won statewide, but Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) carried Camden County by a small margin. {{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Camden County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Bernie Sanders''' |votes = '''1,419''' |percentage = '''49.95''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Hillary Clinton |votes = 1,388 |percentage = 48.86 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Others/Uncommitted |votes = 34 |percentage = 1.20 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
====2012==== The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Camden County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.
====2008==== In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. {{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Camden County (2008)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''John McCain''' |votes = '''2,196''' |percentage = '''33.92''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mike Huckabee |votes = 2,133 |percentage = 32.94 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Mitt Romney |votes = 1,843 |percentage = 28.46 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Ron Paul |votes = 194 |percentage = 3.00 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Others/Uncommitted |votes = 109 |percentage = 1.69 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Camden County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency. {{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Camden County (2008)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Hillary Clinton''' |votes = '''2,794''' |percentage = '''57.99''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Barack Obama |votes = 1,867 |percentage = 38.75 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Others/Uncommitted |votes = 157 |percentage = 3.26 |change = }} {{Election box end}}
==See also== *National Register of Historic Places listings in Camden County, Missouri
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * ''History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps, and Dent counties, Missouri'' (1889) [http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=2eb3977dac6e01be233d3e8ddf7526ca;g=;c=umlib;idno=umlr000006 full text] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140327084711/http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=2eb3977dac6e01be233d3e8ddf7526ca;g=;c=umlib;idno=umlr000006 |date=March 27, 2014 }}
==External links== * [http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Camden County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816173126/http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm |date=August 16, 2011 }} from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books * [http://camdencountymuseum.org Camden County Historical Society]
{{Geographic Location |Centre = Camden County, Missouri |North = Morgan County |Northeast = Miller County |East = Pulaski County |Southeast = Laclede County |South = |Southwest = Dallas County |West = Hickory County |Northwest = Benton County }}
{{Camden County, Missouri}} {{Missouri}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|38.03|-92.77|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MO_source:UScensus1990}}
Category:Camden County, Missouri Category:Missouri counties Category:1841 establishments in Missouri Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1841