Phelps

Phelps County is a county in the central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 45,156. The largest city and county seat is Rolla. The county was organized on November 13, 1857, and was named for U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri John Smith Phelps.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the mean center of U.S. population in 2000 fell within Phelps County.Phelps County comprises the Rolla, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area. Much of the county is included within the Ozark Highlands American Viticultural Area. Vineyards and wineries were first established in the county by Italian immigrants in Rolla. Since the 1960s, winemakers have revived and created numerous vineyards in Missouri and won national and international tasting awards.