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{{short description|County in Missouri, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Ray County
| state = Missouri
| seal =
| founded year = 1820
| founded date = November 16
| seat wl = Richmond
| largest city wl = Richmond
| area_total_sq_mi = 574
| area_land_sq_mi = 569
| area_water_sq_mi = 5.1
| area percentage = 0.9
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 23158
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_est =
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| time zone = Central
| footnotes =
| web = http://www.raycountymo.com/
| named for = John Ray, Missouri state legislator
| ex image = RAY COUNTY COURTHOUSE.jpg
| ex image cap = Ray County Courthouse
| district = 5th
}}

'''Ray County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the northwestern portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Missouri]] and is part of the [[Kansas City metropolitan area]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 23,158.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US29177|access-date=December 29, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Richmond, Missouri|Richmond]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was organized November 16, 1820, and named for John Ray, a Missouri state legislator and member of the first state Constitutional Convention.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1917 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n115 344]}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|574|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|569|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.4|sqmi}} (0.9%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021170230/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt|archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Caldwell County, Missouri|Caldwell County]] (north)
*[[Carroll County, Missouri|Carroll County]] (east)
*[[Lafayette County, Missouri|Lafayette County]] (south)
*[[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson County]] (southwest)
*[[Clay County, Missouri|Clay County]] (west)
*[[Clinton County, Missouri|Clinton County]] (northwest)

===Major highways===
*[[Image:MO-10.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 10|Route 10]]
*[[Image:MO-13.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 13|Route 13]]
*[[Image:MO-210.svg|20px]] [[Missouri Route 210|Route 210]]

===National protected area===
*[[Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 2657
|1840= 6553
|1850= 10373
|1860= 14092
|1870= 18700
|1880= 20190
|1890= 24215
|1900= 24805
|1910= 21451
|1920= 20508
|1930= 19846
|1940= 18584
|1950= 15932
|1960= 16075
|1970= 17599
|1980= 21378
|1990= 21971
|2000= 23354
|2010= 23494
|2020= 23158
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref> 1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mo190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref> 1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2015<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29177.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 12, 2013|archive-date=July 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729113923/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29177.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 23,354 people, 8,743 households, and 6,539 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|16|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 9,371 housing units at an average density of {{convert|6|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.50% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.46% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.36% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.19% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.36% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.13% from two or more races. Approximately 1.08% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. 29.6% were of [[United States|American]], 23.3% [[German people|German]], 11.5% [[English people|English]] and 10.3% [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 8,743 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,886, and the median income for a family was $49,192. Males had a median income of $36,815 versus $21,684 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,685. About 5.30% of families and 6.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Ray County, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}
!Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')
!Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/missouri/1980a_moabc-02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|page=20-25}}</ref>
!Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-27.pdf|access-date=|page=13-63}}</ref>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Ray County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US29177&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ray County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29177&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Ray County, Missouri|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US29177&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 1980
!% 1990
!% 2000
!% 2010
!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|20,864
|21,410
|22,384
|22,338
|style='background: #ffffe6; |20,893
|97.60%
|97.45%
|95.85%
|95.08%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |90.22%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|313
|296
|340
|265
|style='background: #ffffe6; |227
|1.46%
|1.35%
|1.46%
|1.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.98%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|60
|109
|80
|114
|style='background: #ffffe6; |133
|0.28%
|0.50%
|0.34%
|0.49%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.57%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|43
|33
|43
|60
|style='background: #ffffe6; |76
|0.20%
|0.15%
|0.18%
|0.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.33%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref>
|1
|15
|style='background: #ffffe6; |8
|x
|x
|0.00%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|4
|4
|13
|3
|style='background: #ffffe6; |53
|0.02%
|0.02%
|0.06%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref>
|x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref>
|240
|284
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,188
|x
|x
|1.03%
|1.21%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.13%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|94
|119
|253
|415
|style='background: #ffffe6; |580
|0.44%
|0.54%
|1.08%
|1.77%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.50%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''21,378'''
|'''21,971'''
|'''23,354'''
|'''23,494'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''23,158 '''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

==Education==
School districts including any part of the county, no matter how slight, include:<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29177_ray/DC20SD_C29177.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ray County, MO|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 12, 2021|access-date=2025-06-08}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29177_ray/DC20SD_C29177_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
{{div col}}
* [[Braymer C-4 School District]]
* [[Excelsior Springs 40 School District]]
* [[Hardin-Central C-2 School District]]
* [[Lawson R-XIV School District]]
* [[Norborne R-VIII School District]]
* [[Orrick R-XI School District]]
* [[Polo R-VII School District]]
* [[Richmond R-XVI School District]]
{{div col end}}

===Public schools===
* Hardin-Central C-2 School District – [[Hardin, Missouri|Hardin]]
**Hardin-Central Elementary School (PK-06)
**Hardin-Central High School (07-12)
* Lawson R-XIV School District – [[Lawson, Missouri|Lawson]]
**Southwest Elementary School (PK-04)
**Lawson Middle School (05-08)
**Lawson High School (09-12)
*Orrick R-XI School District – [[Orrick, Missouri|Orrick]]
**Orrick Elementary School (PK-06)
**Orrick High School (07-12)
*Richmond R-XVI School District – [[Richmond, Missouri|Richmond]]
**Dear Elementary School (PK-01)
**Sunrise Elementary School (02-05)
**Richmond Middle School (06-08)
**Richmond High School (09-12)

===Public libraries===
*Ray County Library<ref>{{cite web | last = Breeding | first = Marshall | title = Ray County Library | publisher = Libraries.org | url = https://librarytechnology.org/library/20290 | access-date = May 8, 2017}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Camden, Missouri|Camden]]
*[[Crystal Lakes, Missouri|Crystal Lakes]]
*[[Excelsior Springs, Missouri|Excelsior Springs]] (mostly in [[Clay County, Missouri|Clay County]])
*[[Fleming, Missouri|Fleming]]
*[[Hardin, Missouri|Hardin]]
*[[Henrietta, Missouri|Henrietta]]
*[[Lawson, Missouri|Lawson]] (partly in [[Clay County, Missouri|Clay County]])
*[[Orrick, Missouri|Orrick]]
*[[Richmond, Missouri|Richmond]]
*[[Wood Heights, Missouri|Wood Heights]]
{{div col end}}

===Villages===
*[[Elmira, Missouri|Elmira]]
*[[Excelsior Estates, Missouri|Excelsior Estates]] (small part in [[Clay County, Missouri|Clay County]])
*[[Homestead, Missouri|Homestead]]

===Census-designated place===
*[[Rayville, Missouri|Rayville]]
*[[Vibbard, Missouri|Vibbard]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Albany, Ray County, Missouri|Albany]]
* [[Dockery, Missouri|Dockery]]
* [[Elkhorn, Missouri|Elkhorn]]
* [[Floyd, Ray County, Missouri|Floyd]]
* [[Georgeville, Missouri|Georgeville]]
* [[Knoxville, Missouri|Knoxville]]
* [[Lakeview, Missouri|Lakeview]]
* [[Millville, Missouri|Millville]]
* [[Morton, Missouri|Morton]]
* [[New Garden, Missouri|New Garden]]
* [[Regal, Missouri|Regal]]
* [[Rockingham, Missouri|Rockingham]]
* [[Russellville, Ray County, Missouri|Russellville]]
* [[Sandals, Missouri|Sandals]]
* [[St. Cloud, Ray County, Missouri|St. Cloud]]
* [[Stet, Missouri|Stet]]
* [[Swanwick, Missouri|Swanwick]]
* [[Taitsville, Missouri|Taitsville]]
* [[Tinney Grove, Missouri|Tinney Grove]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col}}
* [[Camden Township, Ray County, Missouri|Camden]]
* [[Crooked River Township, Ray County, Missouri|Crooked River]]
* [[Fishing River Township, Ray County, Missouri|Fishing River]]
* [[Grape Grove Township, Ray County, Missouri|Grape Grove]]
* [[Knoxville Township, Ray County, Missouri|Knoxville]]
* [[Orrick Township, Ray County, Missouri|Orrick]]
* [[Polk Township, Ray County, Missouri|Polk]]
* [[Richmond Township, Ray County, Missouri|Richmond]]
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
*[[Robert Ford (outlaw)|Robert Ford]], outlaw, killer of [[Jesse James]]
*[[Chad Kilgore]], football player
*[[Forrest Smith]], [[List of Governors of Missouri|Missouri's]] 42nd Governor
*[[Gordon Young (writer)|Gordon Young]], cowboy, journalist, novelist

==Law, government and politics==

=== Government ===
On January 1, 2025, the Ray County Jail was closed after newly elected [[Sheriffs in the United States|Sheriff]] Gary Blackwell, due to "safety and security concerns."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-02 |title=Sheriff closes Ray County, Missouri jail due to deteriorating conditions |url=https://fox4kc.com/news/sheriff-closes-ray-county-missouri-jail-due-to-deteriorating-conditions/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Godding |first=Chloe |date=2025-01-02 |title=Ray County Jail closes due to unsafe conditions, sheriff says |url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/ray-county-jail-closes-due-to-unsafe-conditions-sheriff-says/63323245 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=KMBC |language=en}}</ref> Inmates where sent to facilities in neighboring [[Harrison County, Missouri|Harrison]] and [[Lafayette County, Missouri|Lafayette]] counties, as well as the Daviess-Dekalb Regional Jail.<ref name=":0" />

=== Politics ===
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2023}}
{{update|section|date=April 2023}}

==== Local ====
Politics at the local level in Ray County are now evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans making major gains in the past four election cycles, going from no representation before 2011 to now holding half of the county offices.
{{Missouri county elected officials
| name =Ray County, Missouri
| assessor =Kent Wollard
| assessorparty =Democratic
| circuitclerk = Carolyne Conner
| circuitclerkparty =Democratic
| countyclerk =Glenda Powell
| countyclerkparty =Republican
| presiding =Gary Wilhite
| presidingparty =Republican
| district1 =Allen Dale
| district1party =Democratic
| district2 =Jerry Bishop
| district2party =Republican
| collector =Julie Chowning
| collectorparty =Democratic
| coroner =Bart Willem
| coronerparty =Republican
| prosecutor =Camille Johnston
| prosecutorparty =Republican
| administrator =Shannon Wollard
| administratorparty=Republican
| recorder =Shirley O’Dell
| recorderparty =Democratic
| sheriff =Gary Blackwell
| sheriffparty =Republican
| surveyor =Thomas Sisco
| surveyorparty =Democratic
| treasurer =Melissa Holloway
| treasurerparty =Independent
}}

==== State ====
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[2024 Missouri gubernatorial election|2024]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''72.05%''' ''8,256''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|25.67% ''2,942''
|align="center" |2.28% ''261''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[2020 Missouri gubernatorial election|2020]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''68.93%''' ''7,964''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|28.38% ''3,279''
|align="center" |2.68% ''310''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016|2016]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.51%''' ''5,686''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|43.58% ''4,719''
|align="center" |3.91% ''423''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2012|2012]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|41.26% ''4,252''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.53%''' ''5,722''
|align="center" |3.21% ''331''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff "|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|35.73% ''3,899''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''61.13%''' ''6,670''
|align="center" |3.14% ''343''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3 "|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004|2004]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|47.08% ''5,073''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''51.33%''' ''5,531''
|align="center" |1.59% ''172''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|2000]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|41.75% ''4,045''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.81%''' ''5,407''
|align="center" |2.44% ''237''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1996|1996]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|28.31% ''2,475''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''69.26%''' ''6,055''
|align="center" |2.43% ''212''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1992|1992]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|37.6% ''3,578''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''62.4%''' ''5,937''
|align="center" |N/A
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1988|1988]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''56.26%''' ''4,859''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|43.01% ''3,714''
|align="center" |0.73% ''63''
|}
The northwest corner of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 8th District in the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] and is currently represented by Jim Neely (R-[[Cameron, Missouri|Cameron]]).
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Ray County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''James W. (Jim) Neely'''
|votes = '''1,294'''
|percentage = '''100.00%'''
|change = '''+32.60'''
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Ray County (2014)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''James W. (Jim) Neely'''
|votes = '''548'''
|percentage = '''67.40%'''
|change = '''+12.22'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Ted Rights
|votes = 265
|percentage = 32.60%
|change = -12.22
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 8 — Ray County (2012)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''James W. (Jim) Neely'''
|votes = '''788'''
|percentage = '''55.18%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = James T. (Jim) Crenshaw
|votes = 640
|percentage = 44.82%
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

Most of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 39th District in the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] and is currently represented by Joe Don McGaugh (R-[[Carrollton, Missouri|Carrollton]]).
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 39 — Ray County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Joe Don McGaugh'''
|votes = '''7,741'''
|percentage = '''100.00%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 39 — Ray County (2014)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Joe Don McGaugh'''
|votes = '''4,583'''
|percentage = '''100.00%'''
|change = '''+50.64'''
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 39 — Ray County (2012)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Joe Don McGaugh'''
|votes = '''4,176'''
|percentage = '''49.36%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Will Talbert
|votes = 4,285
|percentage = 50.64%
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

All of Ray County is a part of Missouri's 21st District in the [[Missouri Senate]] and is currently represented by Denny Hoskins (R-[[Warrensburg, Missouri|Warrensburg]]).
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 21 — Ray County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Denny Hoskins'''
|votes = '''6,408'''
|percentage = '''61.80%'''
|change = '''+4.37'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = ElGene Ver Dught
|votes = 3,346
|percentage = 32.27%
|change = -4.99
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Bill Wayne
|votes = 615
|percentage = 5.93%
|change = +0.62
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 21 — Ray County (2012)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''David Pearce'''
|votes = '''5,679'''
|percentage = '''57.43%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = ElGene Ver Dught
|votes = 3,684
|percentage = 37.26%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Steven Hedrick
|votes = 525
|percentage = 5.31%
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

==== Federal ====
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate — Missouri — Ray County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Roy Blunt'''
|votes = '''5,415'''
|percentage = '''50.10%'''
|change = '''+11.60'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Jason Kander
|votes = 4,725
|percentage = 43.71%
|change = -9.16
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Jonathan Dine
|votes = 390
|percentage = 3.61%
|change = -5.02
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Green Party (United States)
|candidate = Johnathan McFarland
|votes = 119
|percentage = 1.10%
|change = +1.10
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Constitution Party (United States)
|candidate = Fred Ryman
|votes = 159
|percentage = 1.47%
|change = +1.47
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate — Missouri — Ray County (2012)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Todd Akin
|votes = 3,960
|percentage = 38.50%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Claire McCaskill'''
|votes = '''5,439'''
|percentage = '''52.87%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Jonathan Dine
|votes = 888
|percentage = 8.63%
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}
All of Ray County is included in [[MO-05|Missouri's 5th Congressional District]], which is currently represented by [[Emanuel Cleaver]] (D-[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]) in the [[United States House of Representatives]].
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Ray County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Emanuel Cleaver'''
|votes = '''4,394'''
|percentage = '''41.10%'''
|change = '''+1.71'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Jacob Turk
|votes = 5,895
|percentage = 55.14%
|change = -0.42
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Roy Welborn
|votes = 402
|percentage = 3.76%
|change = -1.29
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Ray County (2014)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Emanuel Cleaver'''
|votes = '''2,506'''
|percentage = '''39.39%'''
|change = '''-7.66'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Jacob Turk
|votes = 3,535
|percentage = 55.56%
|change = +6.16
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Roy Welborn
|votes = 321
|percentage = 5.05%
|change = +1.50
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 5th Congressional District — Ray County (2012)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = '''Emanuel Cleaver'''
|votes = '''4,778'''
|percentage = '''47.05%'''
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Jacob Turk
|votes = 5,017
|percentage = 49.40%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = Randy Langkraehr
|votes = 361
|percentage = 3.55
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{PresHead|place=Ray County, Missouri|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref>}}

{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,796|3,181|130|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,643|3,250|196|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|2,003|3,945|66|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|2,004|3,631|87|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,792|2,744|75|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,914|3,043|115|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,192|3,042|696|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,718|3,380|65|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|3,228|4,865|72|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,753|4,989|299|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|3,280|4,570|16|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,706|6,088|52|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,805|6,300|19|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,399|5,786|16|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|3,094|4,521|12|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,102|4,826|9|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,349|4,869|22|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|3,041|4,636|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|3,542|4,565|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,734|5,189|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|2,587|3,541|1,078|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,205|2,844|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,853|5,535|73|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|4,064|4,518|289|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,875|3,979|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,763|4,879|20|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,563|4,457|2,600|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,884|4,714|1,189|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|4,517|4,970|260|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,673|5,034|81|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,593|5,241|219|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,815|4,275|277|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,104|3,090|751|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,345|3,109|221|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,602|2,927|170|Missouri}}
{{PresFoot}}

==See also==
* [[Battle of Crooked River]]
* [[Mormon War (1838)]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Ray County, Missouri]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Ray County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816173126/http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/specialcollections/platbooks.htm |date=August 16, 2011 }} from [[University of Missouri]] Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Ray County, Missouri
|North = [[Caldwell County, Missouri|Caldwell County]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Carroll County, Missouri|Carroll County]]
|Southeast =
|South = [[Lafayette County, Missouri|Lafayette County]]
|Southwest = [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson County]]
|West = [[Clay County, Missouri|Clay County]]
|Northwest = [[Clinton County, Missouri|Clinton County]]
}}

{{Kansas City MSA}}
{{Ray County, Missouri}}
{{Missouri}}

{{coord|39.35|-93.99|format=dms|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MO_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Ray County, Missouri| ]]
[[Category:1820 establishments in Missouri Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1820]]

Ray County, Missouri - Revision history

imported>Patapsco913: /* Demographics */ add