Bates County Public RecordsMissouri

Bates County, MO, has approximately 12,000 registered voters as of 2024. The county holds general, primary, municipal, and special elections, with turnout ranging from 35% in primaries to 68% in presidential years. In 2020, Republican candidates received 75% of votes. Polling occurs at 13 locations, including the Butler Community Center. Key issues include agriculture, taxes, and infrastructure. Elections are administered by the Bates County Clerk. The Republican and Democratic parties are both active locally, with Republicans holding most elected positions. Registration deadlines align with Missouri state regulations, typically 27 days before Election Day.

As of 2023, Bates County, MO, has a population of approximately 16,200. The median age is around 41.5 years, with about 49% male and 51% female residents. The county is predominantly White (over 93%), with about 1.2% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 2.5% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up approximately 2.6% of the population.

Bates County, MO, has around 7 public schools, including one main high school, with a graduation rate near 89%. The percentage of residents with a high school diploma is about 87%, while only 14% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Schools score an average of 5/10 on GreatSchools. The county offers limited adult education programs through local extension offices. School districts prioritize safety, implementing measures like secure entrances and drills. Educational programs include FFA, vocational training, and basic special education services, but advanced placement and gifted programs are limited due to small school sizes.

Bates County, MO, had an employment rate of approximately 55.6% in 2022. The leading industries include health care and social assistance (17%), manufacturing (16%), and retail trade (13%). Occupation types are primarily in production, transportation, and material moving (20%), and sales and office occupations (19%). About 79% of workers commute by car, with an average commute time of 29 minutes. Most residents work within the county, while roughly 29% commute to neighboring counties, predominantly Cass and Jackson. (Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates)

Bates County, MO, has a homeownership rate of approximately 75%, with median home values around $130,000 in 2023. Rental occupancy stands near 25%, and average rents are about $800 per month. The housing market remains stable, with property values increasing around 4% annually. Most homes are single-family houses, though some multi-unit buildings exist in Butler and Adrian. Notable neighborhoods include Rich Hill and Drexel. Property taxes are relatively low, averaging $870 per year, or roughly 0.67% of home value. These factors make Bates County an affordable choice for homeowners and renters alike.

Bates County, MO, has a crime rate lower than the national average, with recent statistics indicating approximately 16.5 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crimes are relatively rare, with about 2.1 incidents per 1,000 people, while property crimes such as theft and burglary make up most offenses at 14.4 per 1,000. Local law enforcement encourages prompt reporting, contributing to a clearance rate above 30%. Despite occasional spikes, overall safety levels remain stable, and most residents report feeling secure in their communities.