{{short description|County in Missouri, United States}} {{For|counties with a similar name|Washington County (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Washington County | state = Missouri | seal = | founded year = 1813 | founded date = August 21 | seat wl = Potosi | largest city wl = Potosi | area_total_sq_mi = 762 | area_land_sq_mi = 760 | area_water_sq_mi = 2.6 | area percentage = 0.3 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 23514 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 23810 {{gain}} | density_sq_mi = 31 | time zone = Central | footnotes = | web = http://www.washingtoncountymo.us/ | named for = President [[George Washington]] | ex image = Potossi-courthouse enh.jpg | ex image cap = The Washington County Courthouse in Potosi | district = 8th }}
'''Washington County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of [[Missouri]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 23,514.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US29221 | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref> The [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Potosi, Missouri|Potosi]].<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}}</ref> The county was officially organized on August 21, 1813, and was named in honor of [[George Washington]], the first President of the United States.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RfAuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA370 | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1918 | pages=370}}</ref>
==History== The French explorers Renault and La Motte entered the area of present-day Potosi in 1722–23. However, no permanent settlements were made until 1763, when François Breton settled near Potosi and began to operate a mine bearing his name. The Bellview Valley, near Caledonia and Belgrade, was settled in 1802 by the families of William and Helen Watson Reed, their sons, Robert, Joseph, and Thomas Reed, William Reed's brother and nephew, Joseph and William Reed, Annanias McCoy, and Benjamin Crow. Washington County was officially organized on August 21, 1813, out of [[Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri|Ste. Genevieve County]].
==Geography== According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|762|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|760|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.6|sqmi}} (0.3%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 22, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021170230/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt|archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>
===Adjacent counties=== * [[Franklin County, Missouri|Franklin County]] (north) * [[Jefferson County, Missouri|Jefferson County]] (northeast) * [[St. Francois County, Missouri|St. Francois County]] (east) * [[Iron County, Missouri|Iron County]] (south) * [[Crawford County, Missouri|Crawford County]] (west)
===National protected area=== * [[Mark Twain National Forest]] (part)
==Demographics== {{US Census population |1820= 2769 |1830= 6784 |1840= 7213 |1850= 8811 |1860= 9723 |1870= 11719 |1880= 12896 |1890= 13153 |1900= 14263 |1910= 13378 |1920= 13803 |1930= 14450 |1940= 17492 |1950= 14689 |1960= 14346 |1970= 15086 |1980= 17983 |1990= 20380 |2000= 23344 |2010= 25195 |2020= 23514 |estyear=2025 |estimate=23810 |estref=<ref>{{cite web|title=QuickFacts: Washington County, Missouri|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/washingtoncountymissouri/PST045224|website=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 9, 2026|df=mdy}}</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 22, 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 22, 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 22, 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 22, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2015<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29221.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 14, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607045516/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29221.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020 | align = right }}
===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county had a population of 23,514. The median age was 42.2 years, with 22.2% of residents under the age of 18 and 17.7% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females there were 107.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 109.5 males.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A221&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 18, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
The racial makeup of the county was 91.3% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.0% 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,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A221&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 18, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% 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,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A221&in=state%3A29|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 18, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 8,919 households in the county, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 10,719 housing units, of which 16.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.1% were owner-occupied and 22.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Washington 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]]|page=20-25}}</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=|page=13-63}}</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 – Washington County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US29221&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) – Washington County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29221&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) – Washington County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29221&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |17,733 |19,863 |22,159 |23,969 |style='background: #ffffe6; |21,378 |98.61% |97.46% |94.92% |95.13% |style='background: #ffffe6; |90.92% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |107 |378 |577 |554 |style='background: #ffffe6; |610 |0.60% |1.85% |2.47% |2.20% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.59% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |33 |40 |149 |95 |style='background: #ffffe6; |78 |0.18% |0.20% |0.64% |0.38% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.33% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |22 |12 |35 |48 |style='background: #ffffe6; |40 |0.12% |0.06% |0.15% |0.19% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.17% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|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> |2 |5 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1 |x |x |0.01% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |13 |4 |9 |8 |style='background: #ffffe6; |53 |0.07% |0.02% |0.04% |0.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|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> |243 |261 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,127 |x |x |1.04% |1.04% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.79% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |75 |83 |170 |255 |style='background: #ffffe6; |227 |0.42% |0.41% |0.73% |1.01% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.97% |- |'''Total''' |'''17,983''' |'''20,380''' |'''23,344''' |'''25,195''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''23,514 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}
===2000 census===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;" |- ! Largest ancestries (2000) !! Percent |- | [[American (ethnicity)|American]] {{flagicon|United States}} || 19.8% |- | [[French American|French]] {{flagicon|FRA}} {{flagicon image|Drapeau Franco-Américain.svg}} || 15.6% |- | [[German Americans|German]] {{flagicon|Germany}} || 10.4% |- | [[Irish Americans|Irish]] {{flagicon|Ireland}} || 9.6% |- | [[English American|English]] {{flagicon|England}} || 5.9% |} As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 23,344 people, 8,406 households, and 6,237 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|31|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 9,894 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.47% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.48% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.66% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.15% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.08% from two or more races. Approximately 0.73% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 8,406 households, out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 106.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,001, and the median income for a family was $38,193. Males had a median income of $27,871 versus $18,206 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,095. About 17.10% of families and 20.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.40% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or older.
===Religion=== According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2000), Washington County is a part of the [[Bible Belt]] with evangelical Protestantism being the majority religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Washington County who adhere to a religion are [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] (36.73%), [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptists]] (21.74%), and [[Baptist Missionary Association of America]] (16.86%).
==Politics==
===Local=== Republicans hold a sizeable majority of the elected positions in the county.
{{Missouri county elected officials | name =Washington County, Missouri | assessor =Heather Eckhoff | assessorparty =Republican | circuitclerk =Ashley Gum | circuitclerkparty =Republican | countyclerk =Jeannette Allen | countyclerkparty =Republican | presiding =David Sansegraw<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2018 |title=Election Summary Report |url=https://www.washcoclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NOVEMBER-2018-CANVASSED-RESULTS.pdf |access-date=June 19, 2023 |website=Washington County Clerk |format=PDF}}</ref> | presidingparty =Republican | district1 =Doug Short | district1party =Republican | district2 =Code Brinley | district2party =Republican | collector =Kris Richards | collectorparty =Republican | coroner =Steven Hatfield | coronerparty =Republican | prosecutor =John Jones | prosecutorparty =Republican | administrator =Judy Gillam | administratorparty=Republican | recorder =Jamie Miner | recorderparty =Republican | sheriff =Dwayne S. Reed | sheriffparty =Republican | surveyor =R. Timothy Daugherty | surveyorparty =Democratic | treasurer =Phyllis Long | treasurerparty =Republican }}
===State=== Washington County is divided into three legislative districts in the [[Missouri House of Representatives]].
* District 118 – Currently represented by Mike McGirl (R-[[Potosi, Missouri|Potosi]]) and consists of the northeastern part of the county and includes Cadet, Mineral Point, Old Mines, Richwoods, Tiff, and part of Potosi. {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2020)<ref name="auto">{{cite web| url=https://www.washcoclerk.org/candidates-issues-results/ | access-date=December 1, 2023 | title=Candidates, Issues & Results}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Mike McGirl''' |votes = '''4,757''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Ben Harris''' |votes = '''3,955''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = '''+53.95''' }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Ben Harris''' |votes = '''1,316''' |percentage = '''46.05%''' |change = '''-53.95''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Michael P. McGirl |votes = 1,542 |percentage = 53.95% |change = +53.95 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 118 – Washington County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Ben Harris''' |votes = '''3,783''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} * District 119 – Currently represented by Nate Tate (R-[[St. Clair, Missouri|St. Clair]]). Consists of the northwestern part of the county, including Pea Ridge. {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2020)<ref name="auto"/>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Nate Tate''' |votes = '''535''' |percentage = '''98.35%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Nate Tate''' |votes = '''495''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = '''+35.35''' }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Dave Hinson''' |votes = '''193''' |percentage = '''65.65%''' |change = '''-35.35''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Susan J. Cunningham |votes = 101 |percentage = 35.35% |change = +35.35 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 119 – Washington County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Dave Hinson''' |votes = '''447''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} * District 144 – Currently represented by [[Chris Dinkins]] (R-[[Annapolis, Missouri|Annapolis]]). Consists of the southern parts of the county including Belgrade, Caledonia, Courtois, Hopewell, Irondale, and part of Potosi. {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2020)<ref name="auto"/>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Chris Dinkins''' |votes = '''3,335''' |percentage = '''98.73%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Special Election - Washington County (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Precinct Summary Report - Special Election |url=https://www.washcoclerk.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Feb_6_2018_results.pdf |access-date=June 19, 2023 |website=Washington County Clerk}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Chris Dinkins''' |votes = '''131''' |percentage = '''70.81%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Scaggs |votes = 53 |percentage = 29.29% |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Paul Fitzwater''' |votes = '''3,177''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Paul Fitzwater''' |votes = '''1,837''' |percentage = '''100.00%''' |change = '''-23.43''' }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives – District 144 – Washington County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Paul Fitzwater''' |votes = '''2,617''' |percentage = '''76.57%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Michael L. Jackson |votes = 801 |percentage = 23.43% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
All of Washington County is a part of Missouri's 3rd District in the [[Missouri Senate]] and is currently represented by [[Elaine Gannon]] (R-[[De Soto, Missouri|De Soto]]). {{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate – District 3 – Washington County (2020)<ref name="auto"/>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Elaine Freeman Gannono''' |votes = '''8,440''' |percentage = '''98.60%''' |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate – District 3 – Washington County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Gary Romine''' |votes = '''7,071''' |percentage = '''83.11%''' |change = '''+25.35''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Green Party (United States) |candidate = Edward R. Weissler |votes = 1,437 |percentage = 16.89% |change = +16.89 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate – District 3 – Washington County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Gary Romine''' |votes = '''4,905''' |percentage = '''57.76%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Joseph Fallert Jr. |votes = 3,587 |percentage = 42.24% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;" |+ Past Gubernatorial Elections Results |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] ! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]] |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[2024 Missouri gubernatorial election|2024]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''79.89%''' ''7,999'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|17.69% ''1,771'' |align="center" |2.43% ''243'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[2020 Missouri gubernatorial election|2020]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''75.34%''' ''7,442'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|21.47% ''2,121'' |align="center" |3.19% ''315'' |- |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016|2016]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''61.34%''' ''5,681'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|33.91% ''3,141'' |align="center" |4.75% ''440'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2012|2012]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|42.25% ''3,697'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.12%''' ''4,823'' |align="center" |2.63% ''230'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|31.08% ''2,993'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''67.05%''' ''6,456'' |align="center" |1.87% ''180'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004|2004]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''50.37%''' ''4,622'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|47.87% ''4,393'' |align="center" |1.76% ''162'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|2000]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|42.93% ''3,536'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''49.90%''' ''4,110'' |align="center" |7.17% ''591'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1996|1996]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|39.69% ''3,097'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''57.77%''' ''4,508'' |align="center" |2.54% ''198'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1992|1992]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|39.60% ''3,049'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''60.40%''' ''4,851'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1988|1988]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''57.19%''' ''3,978'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|42.64% ''2,966'' |align="center" |0.17% ''12'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1984|1984]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''51.46%''' ''3,460'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|48.54% ''3,264'' |align="center" |0.00% ''0'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1980|1980]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''50.52%''' ''3,278'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|49.35% ''3,202'' |align="center" |0.12% ''8'' |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1976|1976]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|47.00% ''2,855'' |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''52.84%''' ''3,210'' |align="center" |0.16% ''10'' |}
===Federal=== {{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate – Missouri – Washington County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Roy Blunt''' |votes = '''5,083''' |percentage = '''55.41%''' |change = '''+15.32''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jason Kander |votes = 3,516 |percentage = 38.33% |change = -15.13 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Dine |votes = 269 |percentage = 2.93% |change = -3.52 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Green Party (United States) |candidate = Johnathan McFarland |votes = 179 |percentage = 1.95% |change = +1.95 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Fred Ryman |votes = 126 |percentage = 1.37% |change = +1.37 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate – Missouri – Washington County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Todd Akin |votes = 3,486 |percentage = 40.09% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Claire McCaskill''' |votes = '''4,648''' |percentage = '''53.46%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Dine |votes = 561 |percentage = 6.45% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
Washington County is included in [[MO-08|Missouri's 8th Congressional District]] and is currently represented by [[Jason T. Smith]] (R-[[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]) in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to finish out the remaining term of [[U.S. Representative]] [[Jo Ann Emerson]] (R-[[Cape Girardeau, Missouri|Cape Girardeau]]). Emerson announced her resignation a month after being reelected with over 70 percent of the vote in the district. She resigned to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative. {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2020)<ref name="auto"/>}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''7,473''' |percentage = '''77.68%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Kathy Ellis |votes = 1,915 |percentage = 19.91% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Tom Schmitz |votes = 219 |percentage = 2.28% |change = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2016)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''6,186''' |percentage = '''69.70%''' |change = '''+10.33''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Dave Cowell |votes = 2,424 |percentage = 27.31% |change = -5.81 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Jonathan Shell |votes = 265 |percentage = 2.99% |change = +0.83 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2014)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''2,990''' |percentage = '''59.37%''' |change = '''-5.99''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Barbara Stocker |votes = 1,668 |percentage = 33.12% |change = +1.33 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Rick Vandeven |votes = 109 |percentage = 2.16% |change = +1.09 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Doug Enyart |votes = 113 |percentage = 2.24% |change = +0.72 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Independent (politician) |candidate = Terry Hampton |votes = 156 |percentage = 3.10% |change = +3.10 }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Special Election – Washington County (2013)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jason T. Smith''' |votes = '''732''' |percentage = '''65.36%''' |change = '''-2.73''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Hodges |votes = 356 |percentage = 31.79% |change = +2.66 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Bill Slantz |votes = 12 |percentage = 1.07% |change = -1.71 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Constitution Party (United States) |candidate = Doug Enyart |votes = 17 |percentage = 1.52% |change = +1.52 }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Write-in candidate |candidate = Wayne L. Byington |votes = 3 |percentage = 0.27% |change = +0.27 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives – District 8 – Washington County (2012)}} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''Jo Ann Emerson''' |votes = '''5,868''' |percentage = '''68.09%''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jack Rushin |votes = 2,510 |percentage = 29.13% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Libertarian Party (United States) |candidate = Rick Vandeven |votes = 240 |percentage = 2.78% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
====Political culture==== Washington County is one of only two counties, alongside [[Webster County, West Virginia]], to be carried by [[Barack Obama]] in 2008 and still give [[Donald Trump]] over 80% of the vote in 2020.{{PresHead|place=Washington 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 27, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,222|1,336|2|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,200|1,303|21|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,547|1,458|4|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,751|1,500|16|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,673|1,339|50|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,753|1,330|41|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,059|1,121|386|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,657|1,394|29|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,618|1,837|31|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,397|1,955|53|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,019|2,091|10|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,246|3,275|38|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,909|2,942|51|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,817|2,881|8|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,900|2,065|9|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,200|2,370|15|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,338|2,684|11|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,383|2,380|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,437|2,649|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,286|3,908|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,641|2,292|776|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,818|2,229|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,526|3,543|39|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,439|2,873|153|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,755|2,987|0|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,240|3,744|16|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,157|4,211|1,642|Missouri}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,259|4,315|1,276|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2000|Democratic|4,020|4,047|198|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,641|4,459|78|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|4,706|4,711|197|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,071|3,417|207|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,048|1,926|357|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,047|1,804|138|Missouri}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,424|1,747|99|Missouri}} {{PresFoot}}
At the presidential level, Washington County was a fairly independent-leaning or battleground county for many years; however, it has voted increasingly more Republican in recent elections. While [[George W. Bush]] carried Washington County in [[2004 United States presidential election|2004]], he narrowly lost the county to [[Al Gore]] in [[2000 United States presidential election|2000]], and both times the margins of victory were significantly closer than in many of the other rural areas. [[Bill Clinton]] also carried Washington County both times in [[1992 United States presidential election|1992]] and [[1996 United States presidential election|1996]] by convincing double-digit margins, and unlike most of the other rural counties in Missouri, Washington County was one of only nine counties in Missouri that favored [[Barack Obama]] over [[John McCain]]. Obama won Washington County by just five votes in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]] election.
Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Washington County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles but are more moderate or [[Populism|populist]] on economic issues, typical of the [[Dixiecrat]] philosophy.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} In 2004, Missourians voted on [[Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2004)|a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman]]—it overwhelmingly passed Washington County with 81.37 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban [[same-sex marriage]]. In 2006, Missourians voted on [[Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 (2006)|a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state]]—it failed in Washington County with 56.48 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve [[Embryonic stem cell|embryonic stem cell research]]. Despite Washington County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing [[Populism|populist]] causes like increasing the [[minimum wage]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Washington County with 81.47 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 75.94 percent voting in favor as the minimum wage was increased to $6.50 an hour in the state. In 2018, Washington County rejected [[2018 Missouri Proposition A|Proposition A]] which would have made Missouri a [[right-to-work law|right-to-work]] state with 82.1 percent of the vote.
==Education== Among adults 25 years of age and older in Washington County, 62.5% possess a [[High School Diploma (United States)|high school diploma]] or higher, while 7.5% hold a [[bachelor's degree]] or higher as their highest educational attainment.
===Public schools=== * Kingston K-XIV School District – [[Cadet, Missouri|Cadet]] ** Kingston Elementary School (PK-05) ** Kingston Middle School (06-08) ** Kingston High School (09-12) * Potosi R-III School District – [[Potosi, Missouri|Potosi]] ** Potosi Pre-School (PK) ** Potosi Elementary School (PK-03) ** Trojan Intermediate School (04-06) ** John A. Evans Middle School (07-08) ** Potosi High School (09-12) * Richwoods R-VII School District – [[Richwoods, Missouri|Richwoods]] ** Richwoods Elementary School (PK-08) * Valley R-VI School District – [[Caledonia, Missouri|Caledonia]]/ [[Belgrade, Missouri|Belgrade]] ** Valley Elementary School (K-6) – [[Caledonia, Missouri|Caledonia]] ** Valley High School (07-12)- [[Caledonia, Missouri|Caledonia]]
===Private schools=== * St. Joachim Elementary School – [[Cadet, Missouri|Cadet]] – (PK-08) – [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]
===Colleges and universities=== * Mineral Area College Annex – [[Potosi, Missouri|Potosi]] – A satellite campus of [[Mineral Area College]]-[[Park Hills, Missouri|Park Hills]].
===Public libraries=== * Washington County Library<ref>{{cite web | last = Breeding | first = Marshall | title = Washington County Library | publisher = Libraries.org | url = https://librarytechnology.org/library/20301 | access-date = May 8, 2017}}</ref>
==Government and infrastructure== The [[Potosi Correctional Center]] of the [[Missouri Department of Corrections]] is located in an [[unincorporated area]] in the county.<ref>"[http://doc.mo.gov/division/dai/facilities_inst.php Institutional Facilities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527092101/http://doc.mo.gov/division/dai/facilities_inst.php |date=27 May 2010 }}." [[Missouri Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved September 18, 2010. "Potosi Correctional Center (C-5)" "11593 State Highway O Mineral Point, MO 63660"</ref> The prison houses male [[death row]] inmates.<ref>Lombardi, George, Richard D. Sluder, and Donald Wallace. "[http://doc.mo.gov/documents/DeathSentencedInmates.pdf The Management of Death-Sentenced Inmates: Issues, Realities, and Innovative Strategies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527085038/http://doc.mo.gov/documents/DeathSentencedInmates.pdf |date=27 May 2010 }}." [[Missouri Department of Corrections]]. 8–9. Retrieved September 18, 2010.</ref> 911 services are provided by the Washington County Central Dispatch Center. Major fire departments in the county include those of Potosi, Richwoods, Irondale, Belgrade, and Caledonia. The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the county. Its sheriff is Dwayne S. Reed as of 2025.
==Attractions== * Big River Access – Belgrade * [[Council Bluff Lake]] – Belgrade * Berryman Camp & Trail National Forest – Berryman * [[Bootleg Park]] [[Bootleg Access]] – Caledonia * Buford Mountain – Caledonia * Hughes Mountain Natural Area – Irondale * [[Bismarck Conservation Area]] – Bismarck * Little Indian Creek Conservation Area – Sullivan * Pea Ridge Conservation Area – Sullivan * YMCA of the Ozarks – Shirley
==Transportation==
===Primary state highways=== * [[Missouri Route 8|Route 8]]. Hopewell-Potosi * [[Missouri Route 21|Route 21]]. Cadet-Potosi-Caledonia * [[Missouri Route 32|Route 32]]. Caledonia-Bismarck * [[Missouri Route 47|Route 47]]. Lonedell-Richwoods-Blackwell * [[Missouri Route 104|Route 104]]. Blackwell * [[Missouri Route 185|Route 185]]. Sullivan-Ebo-Potosi
===Secondary state highways=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * State Route A. Richwoods-Sullivan * State Route AA. Shirley * State Route BB. Belgrade * State Route C. Belgrade-Viburnum * State Route CC. Blackwell * State Route DD. Belgrade * State Route E. Potosi-Cadet-Blackwell * State Route EE. Sullivan * State Route F. Potosi * State Route H. Richwoods-Fletcher * State Route JJ. Belgrade * State Route M. Irondale * State Route N. Sullivan * State Route o. Mineral Point * State Route P. Belgrade-Potosi * State Route T. Richwoods * State Route U. Irondale-Mineral Point * State Route W. Bourbon * State Route WW. Fletcher * State Route N. Bourbon * State Route Y. Viburnum-Belgrade-Berryman * State Route Z. Belgrade {{div col end}}
===Airports=== * [[Washington County Airport (Missouri)|Washington County Airport]]
===Railroads=== * Union Pacific Railroad
==Communities==
===Cities=== * [[Irondale, Missouri|Irondale]] * [[Potosi, Missouri|Potosi]] (county seat)
===Villages=== * [[Caledonia, Missouri|Caledonia]] * [[Mineral Point, Missouri|Mineral Point]]
===Census-designated place===
* [[Terre du Lac, Missouri|Terre du Lac]]
===Unincorporated communities=== {{Div col|colwidth=10em|rules=no}} * [[Anthonies Mill, Missouri|Anthonies Mill]] * [[Aptus, Missouri|Aptus]] * [[Baryties, Missouri|Baryties]] * [[Bellefontaine, Missouri|Bellefontaine]] * [[Belgrade, Missouri|Belgrade]] * [[Berryman, Missouri|Berryman]] * [[Bliss, Missouri|Bliss]] * [[Cadet, Missouri|Cadet]] * [[Cannon Mines, Missouri|Cannon Mines]] * [[Courtois, Missouri|Courtois]] * [[Cruise Mill, Missouri|Cruise Mill]] * [[Delbridge, Missouri|Delbridge]] * [[Ebo, Missouri|Ebo]] * [[Fertile, Missouri|Fertile]] * [[Floyd, Washington County, Missouri|Floyd]] * [[French Town, Missouri|French Town]] * [[Frogtown, Missouri|Frogtown]] * [[Happy Hollow, Missouri|Happy Hollow]] * [[Hopewell, Washington County, Missouri|Hopewell]] * [[Horton Town, Missouri|Horton Town]] * [[Hulsey, Missouri|Hulsey]] * [[Hurricane, Washington County, Missouri|Hurricane]] * [[Latty, Missouri|Latty]] * [[Levy, Missouri|Levy]] * [[Maryden, Missouri|Maryden]] * [[Northcut, Missouri|Northcut]] * [[Old Mines, Missouri|Old Mines]] * [[Peoria, Missouri|Peoria]] * [[Quaker, Missouri|Quaker]] * [[Rabbitville, Missouri|Rabbitville]] * [[Racola, Missouri|Racola]] * [[Richwoods, Missouri|Richwoods]] * [[Robidoux, Missouri|Robidoux]] * [[Shibboleth, Missouri|Shibboleth]] * [[Shirley, Missouri|Shirley]] * [[Summit, Missouri|Summit]] * [[Sunlight, Missouri|Sunlight]] * [[Theabeau Town, Missouri|Theabeau Town]] * [[Tiff, Missouri|Tiff]] {{div col end}}
===Townships=== {{Div col|colwidth=10em|rules=no}} * [[Belgrade Township, Washington County, Missouri|Belgrade]] * [[Breton Township, Washington County, Missouri|Breton]] * [[Concord Township, Washington County, Missouri|Concord]] * [[Harmony Township, Washington County, Missouri|Harmony]] * [[Johnson Township, Washington County, Missouri|Johnson]] * [[Kingston Township, Washington County, Missouri|Kingston]] * [[Liberty Township, Washington County, Missouri|Liberty]] * [[Richwoods Township, Washington County, Missouri|Richwoods]] * [[Union Township, Washington County, Missouri|Union]] * [[Walton Township, Washington County, Missouri|Walton]] {{div col end}}
==See also== {{Portal|United States}} * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Missouri]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Washington 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
{{Geographic Location |Centre = Washington County, Missouri |North = [[Franklin County, Missouri|Franklin County]] |Northeast = [[Jefferson County, Missouri|Jefferson County]] |East = [[St. Francois County, Missouri|St. Francois County]] |Southeast = [[Madison County, Missouri|Madison County]] |South = [[Iron County, Missouri|Iron County]] |Southwest = [[Dent County, Missouri|Dent County]] |West = [[Crawford County, Missouri|Crawford County]] |Northwest = }}
{{Washington County, Missouri}} {{St. Louis MSA}} {{Missouri}} {{Authority control}}
{{Coord|37.97|-90.88|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MO_source:UScensus1990}}
[[Category:Washington County, Missouri| ]] [[Category:Regions of Greater St. Louis]] [[Category:1813 establishments in Missouri Territory]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1813]]