As of the census of 2000, there were 7,923 people, 3,202 households, and 2,276 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile. There were 3,758 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Approximately 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 3,202 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couplesliving together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93. In the county, the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males. The median income for a household in the county was $29,097, and the median income for a family was $33,651. Males had a median income of $26,092 versus $18,464 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,254. About 9.30% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.10% of those under age 18 and 13.10% of those age 65 or over.
The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Dade County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county.
State
All of Dade County is a part of Missouri’s 127th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by . All of Dade County is a part of Missouri’s 32nd District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by .
Former GovernorMike Huckabee received more votes, a total of 769, than any candidate from either party in Dade County during the 2008 presidential primary. He fell just 25 votes short from receiving the same number of votes cast in the entire Democratic primary in Dade County.
