36°44′N 93°28′W / 36.74°N 93.47°W / 36.74; -93.47

Stone County
County
The Stone County Courthouse in Galena
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°44′N 93°28′W / 36.74°N 93.47°W / 36.74; -93.47
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Founded	February 10, 1851
Named for	William Stone, English pioneer and an early settler in Maryland
Seat	Galena
Largest city	Kimberling City
Area
• Total	511 sq mi (1,320 km2)
• Land	464 sq mi (1,200 km2)
• Water	47 sq mi (120 km2)  9.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	31,076
• Density	61/sq mi (23/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	7th
Website	www.stoneco-mo.us

Stone County is located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 31,076.^[1] Its county seat is Galena.^[2]

Stone County is part of the Branson, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was officially organized on February 10, 1851, and is named after William Stone, an English pioneer and an early settler in Maryland who also served as Taney County Judge.^[3]

In 1904, the White River Railway was extended through the rugged terrain of Stone and Taney counties. By then, both counties had had a sundown town policy for years, forbidding African Americans from living there.^[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511 square miles (1,320 km²), of which 464 square miles (1,200 km²) is land and 47 square miles (120 km²) (9.2%) is water.^[5]

Adjacent counties

• Christian County (north)
• Taney County (east)
• Carroll County, Arkansas (south)
• Barry County (west)
• Lawrence County (northwest)

National protected area

• Mark Twain National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census^[11] of 2000, there were 28,658 people, 11,822 households, and 8,842 families residing in the county. The population density was 62 inhabitants per square mile (24 inhabitants/km²). There were 16,241 housing units at an average density of 35 units per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.64% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.61% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Approximately 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major first ancestries reported in Stone County were 24.3% American, 20.4% German, 11.3% English, and 10.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 11,822 households, out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.70% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 29.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,487, and the median income for a family was $46,675. Males had a median income of $26,224 versus $19,190 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,813. About 8.50% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.00% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Education

Of adults 25 years of age and older in Stone County, 80.4% possesses a high school diploma or higher while 14.2% holds a bachelor's degree or higher as their highest educational attainment.

Public schools

• Blue Eye R-V School District - Blue Eye
  • Blue Eye Elementary School (PK-04)
  • Blue Eye Middle School (05-08)
  • Blue Eye High School (09-12)
• Crane R-III School District - Crane
  • Crane Elementary School (K-06)
  • Crane High School (07-12)
• Galena R-II School District - Galena
  • Galena-Abesville Elementary School (PK-06)
  • Galena High School (07-12)
• Hurley R-I School District - Hurley
  • Hurley Elementary School (K-05)
  • Hurley High School (06-12)
• Reeds Spring R-IV School District - Reeds Spring
  • Reeds Spring Primary School (PK-01)
  • Reeds Spring Elementary School (02-04)
  • Reeds Spring Intermediate School (05-06)
  • Reeds Spring Middle School (07-08)
  • Reeds Spring High School (09-12)

Private schools

• Apostolic Christian School - Reeds Spring - (05-12) - Non-denominational Christian

Alternative and vocational schools

• Tri-Lakes Special Education Cooperative - Blue Eye - (K-12) - Special Education
• Gibson Technical Center - Reeds Spring - (09-12) - Vocational/Technical
• New Horizons Alternative School - Reeds Spring - (06-12) - Alternative/Other

Public libraries

• Blue Eye Public Library
• Crane Public Library
• Galena Public Library
• Kimberling Area Library

Politics and government

Government

Stone County is a third-class county^[13] located in Southwest Missouri. The county's government includes a 3-person County Commission (Presiding Commissioner, Northern District Commissioner, Southern District Commissioner), several elected officials, and a Road Commission consisting of the 3 County Commissioners as well as a Northern Road Commissioner and a Southern Road Commissioner. The County Commission also oversees the Planning and Zoning Department, Senior Citizens' Services Board, a Law Enforcement Restitution Board, and neighborhood improvement districts. All elected Officials in Stone County serve 4 year terms.^[14] The county employed 157 full-time employees (including elected officials) and 12 part-time employees as of December 31, 2019.^[15]

The Government primarily operates out of the County Seat of Galena, Missouri. The offices of the County Commission, County Clerk, Collector of Revenue, Recorder of Deeds, Treasurer as well as the University of Missouri Extension Office all operate out of the Historic Courthouse in the center of the square. The Stone County Sheriff's office, Judiciary, Circuit Clerk, and Jail are all in the Stone County Judicial Center on the east side of the square. The Assessor and Planning and Zoning offices are located in buildings on the south side of the square.

The Republican Party completely controls politics at the local level in Stone County. All current office holders are members of the Republican Party. Elected Officials in Stone County on average have a long tenure once elected to office.

State

Stone County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.

• District 138 — Brad Hudson (R-Cape Fair). Consists of almost all of the county.

• District 158 — Scott Cupps (R-Shell Knob). Consists of a small, unincorporated region in the northwest part of the county, located just south of Crane.