Crawford County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 Census, the population was 23,056. Its county seat is Steelville. The county was organized in 1829 and is named after U.S. Senator William H. Crawford of Georgia.

The section of Sullivan which is located in Crawford County is included in the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In 1990, the mean center of U.S. population was located in southwestern Crawford County.

Crawford County was established in 1829 and the County Seat of Steelville was laid out in 1836.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 744 square miles (1,930 km), of which 743 square miles (1,920 km) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km) (0.2%) is water.

• Franklin County (north)
• Washington County (east)
• Iron County (southeast)
• Dent County (south)
• Phelps County (west)
• Gasconade County (northwest)

• Interstate 44
• U.S. Route 66 (1926–1979)
• Route 8
• Route 19
• Route 49

• Mark Twain National Forest (part)

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1830	1,712		—
1840	3,561		108.0%
1850	6,397		79.6%
1860	5,823		−9.0%
1870	7,982		37.1%
1880	10,756		34.8%
1890	11,961		11.2%
1900	12,959		8.3%
1910	13,576		4.8%
1920	12,355		−9.0%
1930	11,287		−8.6%
1940	12,693		12.5%
1950	11,615		−8.5%
1960	12,647		8.9%
1970	14,828		17.2%
1980	18,300		23.4%
1990	19,173		4.8%
2000	22,804		18.9%
2010	24,646		8.1%
2020	23,056		−6.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010

At the 2000 census, there were 22,804 people, 8,858 households and 6,351 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 per square mile (12/km). There were 10,850 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km). The racial makeup of the county was 98.26% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Approximately 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,858 households, of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.00.

26.30% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

The median household income was $37,554 and the median family income was $45,059. Males had a median income of $28,005 compared with $18,736 for females. The per capita income was $18,203. About 12.70% of families and 16.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.30% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.

Crawford County Racial Composition

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	20,980	91%
Black or African American (NH)	148	0.64%
Native American (NH)	107	0.5%
Asian (NH)	81	0.35%
Pacific Islander (NH)	14	0.06%
Other/Mixed (NH)	1,244	5.4%
Hispanic or Latino	482	2.1%

• Crawford County R-I School District - Bourbon
  • Bourbon Elementary School (PK−4)
  • Bourbon Middle School (5−8)
  • Bourbon High School (9–12)
• Crawford County R-II School District - Cuba
  • Cuba Elementary School (K−4)
  • Cuba Middle School (5−8)
  • Cuba High School (9–12)
• Steelville R-III School District - Steelville
  • Steelville Elementary School (PK−4)
  • Steelville Middle School (5−8)
  • Steelville High School (9–12)

• Meramec Valley Christian School - Sullivan - Baptist - (PK–12)
• Holy Cross Catholic School - Cuba, Missouri - Catholic - (PK−8)

• Bourbon Branch Library
• Recklein Memorial Branch Library
• Steelville Branch Library

• Indian Lake

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The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Crawford County. Republicans hold all elected positions in the county.

Crawford County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Kellie Vestal	Republican
Circuit Clerk	Karen R. Harlan	Republican
County Clerk	John G. Martin	Republican
Collector	Pat Schwent	Republican
Commissioner (Presiding)	Leo Sanders	Republican
Commissioner (District 1)	Rob Cummings	Republican
Commissioner (District 2)	Jared Boast	Republican
Coroner	Paul Hutson	Republican
Prosecuting Attorney	David Smith	Republican
Public Administrator	Franky Todd	Republican
Recorder	Kimberly A. Cook	Republican
Sheriff	Darin Layman	Republican
Surveyor	Mark Mueller	Republican
Treasurer	Karen Sikes	Republican

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2016	59.72% 5,899	29.28% 2,892	11.00% 1,086
2012	52.23% 4,978	44.85% 4,275	2.92% 278
2008	46.18% 4,627	51.94% 5,204	1.88% 188
2004	57.70% 5,422	40.92% 3,845	1.38% 130
2000	52.53% 4,352	43.74% 3,624	3.73% 309
1996	44.72% 3,425	52.87% 4,049	2.42% 185
1992	42.17% 3,470	57.83% 4,758	0.00% 0
1988	66.26% 4,636	33.04% 2,312	0.70% 49
1984	60.87% 4,408	39.13% 2,834	0.00% 0
1980	53.65% 3,722	45.88% 3,183	0.46% 32
1976	49.50% 3,376	50.43% 3,439	0.07% 5
1972	57.31% 3,980	42.56% 2,956	0.13% 9
1968	47.84% 2,983	52.16% 3,253	0.00% 0
1964	46.22% 2,777	53.78% 3,231	0.00% 0
1960	56.30% 3,570	43.70% 2,771	0.00% 0

Crawford County is split between two of the districts that elect members of the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are currently represented by Republicans.

• District 62 — Tom Hurst (R-Meta). Consists of the northwest corner of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Crawford County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Tom Hurst	175	75.75
	Democratic	Ashley D. Fajkowski	56	24.24

Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Crawford County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Tom Hurst	251	100.00%

Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Crawford County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Tom Hurst	152	100.00%	+38.55

Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Crawford County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Tom Hurst	169	61.45%
	Democratic	Greg Stratman	106	38.55%

• District 120 — Jason Chimpman (R- Steelville). Consists of almost of the county.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Crawford County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason Chipman	5739	69.65
	Democratic	Theresa Schmitt	2500	30.34

Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Crawford County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason Chipman	8,374	100.00%	+23.09

Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Crawford County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason Chipman	4,158	76.91%	+4.31
	Democratic	Zechariah Hockersmith	1,248	23.09%	−4.31

Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Crawford County (Special Election 2013)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Shawn Sisco	2,340	72.60%	−27.40
	Democratic	Zechariah Hockersmith	883	27.40%	+27.40

Missouri House of Representatives — District 120 — Crawford County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason T. Smith	7,799	100.00%

In the Missouri Senate, all of Crawford County is a part of Missouri's 16th District and is represented by Republican Justin Brown.

Missouri Senate — District 16 — Crawford County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Dan Brown	4,741	100.00%

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Crawford County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Roy Blunt	6,163	62.69%	+13.79
	Democratic	Jason Kander	3,144	31.98%	−12.57
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	236	2.40%	−4.15
	Green	Johnathan McFarland	130	1.32%	+1.32
	Constitution	Fred Ryman	158	1.61%	+1.61

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Crawford County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Todd Akin	4,654	48.90%
	Democratic	Claire McCaskill	4,240	44.55%
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	623	6.55%

All of Crawford County is included in Missouri's 8th Congressional District and is currently represented by Republican Jason T. Smith of Salem in the U.S. House of Representatives. Smith won a special election on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, to complete the remaining term of former Republican Jo Ann Emerson of 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Crawford County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason T. Smith	7,589	78.17%	+2.58
	Democratic	Dave Cowell	1,849	19.04%	−0.69
	Libertarian	Jonathan Shell	271	2.79%	+1.22

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Crawford County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason T. Smith	4,294	75.59%	−7.32
	Democratic	Barbara Stocker	1,121	19.73%	+3.88
	Libertarian	Rick Vandeven	89	1.57	+1.05
	Constitution	Doug Enyart	74	1.30%	+0.78
	Independent	Terry Hampton	103	1.81%	+1.81

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Crawford County (Special Election 2013)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jason T. Smith	1,276	82.91%	+10.74
	Democratic	Steve Hodges	244	15.85%	−9.13
	Libertarian	Bill Slantz	8	0.52%	−2.32
	Constitution	Doug Enyart	8	0.52%	+0.52
	Write-In	Thomas Brown	2	0.13%	+0.13
	Write-In	Wayne L. Byington	1	0.07%	+0.07

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 8th Congressional District — Crawford County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jo Ann Emerson	6,757	72.17%
	Democratic	Jack Rushin	2,339	24.98%
	Libertarian	Rick Vandeven	266	2.84%

United States presidential election results for Crawford County, Missouri

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	8,742	80.73%	2,007	18.53%	80	0.74%
2020	8,725	79.51%	2,113	19.26%	135	1.23%
2016	7,724	77.86%	1,824	18.39%	372	3.75%
2012	6,434	67.17%	2,951	30.81%	194	2.03%
2008	6,007	59.56%	3,911	38.78%	167	1.66%
2004	5,686	60.61%	3,632	38.72%	63	0.67%
2000	4,754	57.26%	3,350	40.35%	198	2.38%
1996	2,990	39.05%	3,349	43.74%	1,317	17.20%
1992	2,831	33.76%	3,515	41.92%	2,039	24.32%
1988	3,856	55.19%	3,107	44.47%	24	0.34%
1984	4,716	64.37%	2,610	35.63%	0	0.00%
1980	4,081	58.21%	2,710	38.65%	220	3.14%
1976	3,224	47.18%	3,565	52.17%	44	0.64%
1972	4,595	67.15%	2,248	32.85%	0	0.00%
1968	3,525	55.78%	2,123	33.60%	671	10.62%
1964	2,660	43.58%	3,444	56.42%	0	0.00%
1960	4,065	63.00%	2,387	37.00%	0	0.00%
1956	3,594	59.41%	2,455	40.59%	0	0.00%
1952	3,753	60.34%	2,453	39.44%	14	0.23%
1948	2,650	53.55%	2,289	46.25%	10	0.20%
1944	3,077	58.45%	2,177	41.36%	10	0.19%
1940	3,615	56.79%	2,736	42.99%	14	0.22%
1936	3,041	51.01%	2,879	48.30%	41	0.69%
1932	2,213	40.79%	3,166	58.36%	46	0.85%
1928	2,926	66.08%	1,476	33.33%	26	0.59%
1924	2,336	55.77%	1,697	40.51%	156	3.72%
1920	2,634	60.44%	1,658	38.04%	66	1.51%
1916	1,642	54.35%	1,312	43.43%	67	2.22%
1912	1,045	42.04%	1,037	41.71%	404	16.25%
1908	1,752	56.77%	1,260	40.83%	74	2.40%
1904	1,535	53.97%	1,175	41.32%	134	4.71%
1900	1,470	51.94%	1,318	46.57%	42	1.48%
1896	1,447	50.91%	1,383	48.66%	12	0.42%
1892	1,269	50.94%	1,176	47.21%	46	1.85%
1888	1,255	51.48%	1,172	48.07%	11	0.45%

Crawford County is like most rural counties, socially conservative and vote in favor of the Republican Party. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to win Crawford County in 1996. Since then, voters in the county have substantially supported Republicans at the national level.

In the 2008 Missouri Presidential Primary, voters in Crawford County from both political parties supported candidates who finished in second place in the state at large and nationally.

Republican

Former Governor Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas) won Crawford County by just one vote with 32.71 percent of the vote. U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) finished in second place in Crawford County with 32.66 percent. Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) came in third place, receiving 27.76 percent of the vote while libertarian-leaning U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) finished fourth with 5.15 percent.

Democratic

Then-U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) won a decisive victory in Crawford County with 66.36 percent of the vote. Then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) received 30.07 percent of the vote from Crawford County Democrats. Although he withdrew from the race, former U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-North Carolina) still received 2.61 percent of the vote in Crawford County.

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Crawford County, Missouri

• Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Crawford County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

37°59′N 91°18′W / 37.98°N 91.30°W / 37.98; -91.30