Elections

Bollinger County, MO, had 8,211 registered voters in 2022. Elections include federal, state, county, municipal, and school board races, with polling at sites like the Bollinger County Courthouse in Marble Hill. In the 2020 presidential election, 85% voted Republican and 14% Democrat. Key issues often involve agriculture, education funding, and infrastructure. The county is administered by the Board of Commissioners and the County Clerk oversees elections. Both Republican and Democratic parties are active, with Republicans dominating recent results. Voter turnout typically exceeds 65%.

Education, Employment and Housing

Bollinger County, MO, has around 7 public schools, including three high schools, serving about 1,300 students. The high school graduation rate is approximately 89%, while only about 10% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average district test scores are below the state average. The area offers some adult education programs through local institutions. School safety incidents are below state averages, and several schools provide vocational and specialized educational programs. Overall, educational attainment in Bollinger County remains lower than state and national levels.

As of 2022, Bollinger County, MO, had an employment rate of approximately 56%, with a civilian labor force participation of about 3,500 residents. The largest employment sectors are manufacturing (21%), health care and social assistance (16%), and retail trade (12%). The most common occupations include production (15%), office and administrative support (13%), and sales (10%). Around 75% of workers commute outside of the county for employment, primarily to Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties, with an average commute time of 29 minutes.

Bollinger County, MO, has a homeownership rate of about 79%, with median home values around $142,000 as of 2023. The rental rate is roughly 21%, and median rents are approximately $800 per month. The county mainly features single-family homes, along with some mobile and manufactured housing. Property value trends show moderate annual growth of 3–5%. Notable neighborhoods include Marble Hill and Glenallen. Property taxes average 0.7% of assessed value, lower than the national average. The area offers rural living with affordable housing and low tax rates, appealing to families and retirees alike.

County Crime & Safety

Bollinger County, MO, reports a relatively low crime rate compared to state averages. According to recent statistics, the overall crime rate is about 19.8 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crime is uncommon, with 1.2 incidents per 1,000 people, while property crime accounts for around 18.6 per 1,000 residents. The county sheriff’s office actively encourages prompt crime reporting and community vigilance, which contributes to maintaining public safety and aids law enforcement in crime prevention and resolution.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Bollinger County, Missouri, had a population of approximately 10,567. The median age was about 42 years. The gender distribution was roughly 50.4% male and 49.6% female. Racially, the county was predominantly White (95.1%), with small percentages of Black or African American (1.1%), two or more races (2.8%), and Hispanic or Latino residents (1.3%).