Elections

As of 2024, Morgan County, MO, has approximately 13,000 registered voters. The county holds general, primary, and local elections, with 10 official polling locations, such as Versailles High School. In the 2020 presidential election, 75% voted Republican, 23% Democrat. Administration is overseen by the County Clerk’s office. Key issues include rural infrastructure and school funding. Major parties are Republican and Democratic, with Republicans holding most county offices. Voter turnout averages 62%.

Demographics

As of the 2020 Census, Morgan County, Missouri, had a population of 20,185. The median age was about 47 years. Around 50.2% were male and 49.8% female. The racial composition was predominantly White (94.2%), with smaller populations of Black or African American (0.6%), Native American (0.6%), Asian (0.4%), and individuals of two or more races (3.1%). Hispanic or Latino residents made up approximately 2.3% of the population.

County Crime & Safety

Morgan County, MO, reported a crime rate of 26.75 per 1,000 residents in 2023, below the Missouri state average. Property crimes, including theft and burglary, made up 85% of reported incidents, while violent crime accounted for 15%. The county saw 162 thefts, 31 burglaries, and 14 assaults last year. Crime trends show a slight decrease (4%) since 2022. Local law enforcement encourages prompt crime reporting—91% of cases are cleared via arrests or investigations within 30 days, reflecting proactive safety measures and community vigilance.

Education, Employment and Housing

Morgan County, MO, has 8 public schools, including Morgan County R-I and R-II High Schools. The high school graduation rate is around 92%, while only about 13% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average standardized test scores are slightly below the Missouri state average. Adult education programs are available through local community organizations. School safety measures include surveillance and secure entry systems, with low reported incidents. Expanded educational programs include career and technical training.

As of 2022, Morgan County, MO, had an unemployment rate of approximately 2.9%. The largest employment sectors were health care and social assistance (18.8%), retail trade (12.7%), and construction (10.4%). Leading occupations included office/administrative support (12.3%), sales (10.8%), and management (9.7%). About 80% of workers commuted by car alone, with an average commute time of 27 minutes. Roughly 70% of residents worked within Morgan County, while others commuted to neighboring counties such as Camden and Cole for employment.

Morgan County, MO, boasts a homeownership rate of around 77%, with median home values near $196,000 as of 2023. Rental units make up about 23% of the housing stock, with median gross rents around $700 per month. Housing types include single-family homes, lakefront properties, and mobile homes, spanning small towns like Versailles and lake communities near the Lake of the Ozarks. Property values have steadily increased by approximately 6% year-over-year. Property tax rates average 0.77%, below the national average, offering affordability for both homeowners and renters in this largely rural county.