Gasconade County, Missouri

Gasconade County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,794.[1] The county seat has been Hermann since 1842.[2] The county was named after the Gasconade River.

Gasconade County
County
The Gasconade County Courthouse in Hermann
The Gasconade County Courthouse in Hermann
Map of Missouri highlighting Gasconade County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°26′N 91°31′W
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedNovember 25, 1820
Named forGasconade River
SeatHermann
Largest cityOwensville
Area
 • Total524 sq mi (1,360 km2)
 • Land518 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Water6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,794
 • Density28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code573
Congressional district3rd
Websitegasconadecounty.org

The county is located on the south side of the Missouri River, which once served as the chief route of transportation in the state. It is located in the area known as the Missouri Rhineland. Because of its distinctive conditions, the Hermann area was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1983. The southern part of the county is within the larger Ozark Highlands AVA, established in 1987.

Etymology

Gasconade County (and the Gasconade River) received its name from French-speaking settlers.[3] They came from the Gascony region in southwestern France during French colonial rule of New France (Louisiana Territory).

Per a 1916 Missouri Historical Review article, "The name is from 'Gascon', an inhabitant of Gascony,'[4] a unique, marginal maritime province in the southwest of France with Basque cultural roots.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 524 square miles (1,360 km2), of which 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.3%) is covered by water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18301,545—
18405,330245.0%
18504,996−6.3%
18608,72774.7%
187010,09315.7%
188011,15310.5%
189011,7065.0%
190012,2985.1%
191012,8474.5%
192012,381−3.6%
193012,172−1.7%
194012,4142.0%
195012,342−0.6%
196012,195−1.2%
197011,878−2.6%
198013,18111.0%
199014,0066.3%
200015,3429.5%
201015,222−0.8%
202014,794−2.8%
2021 (est.)14,7910.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2015[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, 15,342 people, 6,171 households, and 4,288 families resided in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12 people/km2). The 7,813 housing units had an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White, 0.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. About 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 6,171 households, 31.0% had children under 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were not families. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44, and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.8% under 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,047, and for a family was $41,518. Males had a median income of $29,659 versus $20,728 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,319. About 7.00% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.20% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those 65 or over.

2020 Census
Gasconade County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 13,705 92.64%
Black or African American (NH) 18 0.12%
Native American (NH) 25 0.17%
Asian (NH) 51 0.35%
Pacific Islander (NH) 9 0.06%
Other/mixed (NH) 797 5.4%
Hispanic or Latino 189 1.3%

Politics

Local

The Republican Party in Gasconade County hold all of the elected positions.[13]

Gasconade County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Paul Schulte Republican
Circuit Clerk Pamela R. Greunke Republican
County Clerk Lesa Lietzow Republican
Collector Shawn Schlottach Republican
Commissioner
(Presiding)		 Larry Miskel Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)		 James Holland Republican
Commissioner
(District 2)		 Jerry D. Lairmore Republican
Coroner Jeffrey Arnold Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Mary Weston Republican
Public Administrator Kelly Brehe-Thomas Republican
Recorder Pamela R. Greunke Republican
Sheriff Scott Eiler Republican
Surveyor Vincent Klott Republican
Treasurer Michael C. Feagan Republican

State
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 78.68% 6,192 19.53% 1,537 1.79% 141
2016 63.04% 4,681 32.35% 2,402 4.61% 342
2012 53.18% 3,775 44.55% 3,162 2.27% 161
2008 55.78% 4,307 42.90% 3,313 1.32% 102
2004 65.36% 4,696 33.57% 2,412 1.07% 77
2000 61.83% 4,091 35.31% 2,336 2.86% 189
1996 50.99% 3,042 46.36% 2,766 2.65% 158

All of Gasconade County is a part of district 61 in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 61 — Gasconade County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Justin Alferman 2,531 80.20% +4.86
Democratic Tom Smith 625 19.80% -4.86
Missouri House of Representatives — District 61 — Gasconade County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Justin Alferman 1,341 75.34% +6.58
Democratic Tom Smith 439 24.66% -6.58

State Senate

Gasconade County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City).[15]

Missouri Senate — District 6 — Gasconade County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Kehoe 3,105 78.49%
Democratic Mollie Freebairn 851 21.51%

Federal
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Gasconade County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 4,743 63.92% +12.62
Democratic Jason Kander 2,319 31.25% -10.43
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 176 2.37% -4.65
Green Johnathan McFarland 90 1.21% +1.21
Constitution Fred Ryman 92 1.24% +1.24
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Gasconade County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Todd Akin 3,603 51.30%
Democratic Claire McCaskill 2,927 41.68%
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 493 7.02%

Gasconade County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Gasconade County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 5,770 78.61% +1.36
Democratic Kevin Miller 1,344 18.31% -1.31
Libertarian Dan Hogan 155 2.11% -1.02
Constitution Doanita Simmons 71 0.97% +0.97
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Gasconade County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 3,083 77.25% +1.83
Democratic Courtney Denton 783 19.62% -2.81
Libertarian Steven Hedrick 125 3.13% +0.98
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Gasconade County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 5,272 75.42%
Democratic Eric Mayer 1,568 22.43%
Libertarian Steven Wilson 150 2.15%

Political culture
United States presidential election results for Gasconade County, Missouri[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,222 78.53% 1,601 20.21% 100 1.26%
2016 5,670 76.10% 1,520 20.40% 261 3.50%
2012 4,895 68.62% 2,099 29.42% 140 1.96%
2008 4,763 61.29% 2,899 37.31% 109 1.40%
2004 4,753 66.28% 2,355 32.84% 63 0.88%
2000 4,190 63.21% 2,257 34.05% 182 2.75%
1996 2,997 50.19% 2,104 35.24% 870 14.57%
1992 2,690 42.47% 1,952 30.82% 1,692 26.71%
1988 4,216 72.01% 1,621 27.69% 18 0.31%
1984 4,678 80.54% 1,130 19.46% 0 0.00%
1980 4,481 72.24% 1,550 24.99% 172 2.77%
1976 3,925 69.08% 1,702 29.95% 55 0.97%
1972 4,944 80.13% 1,226 19.87% 0 0.00%
1968 4,400 74.64% 1,131 19.19% 364 6.17%
1964 3,672 63.33% 2,126 36.67% 0 0.00%
1960 4,854 74.62% 1,651 25.38% 0 0.00%
1956 5,080 78.97% 1,353 21.03% 0 0.00%
1952 5,339 80.49% 1,285 19.37% 9 0.14%
1948 4,268 77.81% 1,204 21.95% 13 0.24%
1944 5,007 83.27% 994 16.53% 12 0.20%
1940 5,333 82.03% 1,163 17.89% 5 0.08%
1936 4,202 73.51% 1,492 26.10% 22 0.38%
1932 2,571 55.77% 1,998 43.34% 41 0.89%
1928 4,171 79.57% 1,058 20.18% 13 0.25%
1924 3,306 75.88% 577 13.24% 474 10.88%
1920 4,481 90.02% 454 9.12% 43 0.86%
1916 2,513 82.20% 510 16.68% 34 1.11%
1912 1,539 58.94% 518 19.84% 554 21.22%
1908 2,220 80.35% 509 18.42% 34 1.23%
1904 2,045 80.20% 469 18.39% 36 1.41%
1900 2,015 76.91% 575 21.95% 30 1.15%
1896 2,185 80.10% 515 18.88% 28 1.03%
1892 1,625 72.74% 602 26.95% 7 0.31%
1888 1,735 75.14% 556 24.08% 18 0.78%

At the presidential level, Gasconade County is one of the most reliably Republican strongholds in Missouri. The Republican presidential nominee has won Gasconade County in every presidential election since Abraham Lincoln was first elected in 1860, giving the county the longest active Republican voting streak for presidential elections in the United States.

Like most rural areas throughout Northeast Missouri, voters in Gasconade County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles, which tend to influence their Republican leanings. In 2004, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman—it overwhelmingly passed Gasconade County with 76.48% of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71% of support from voters as Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Gasconade County with 58.61% voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51% of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Gasconade County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Gasconade County with 74.74% of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99% voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.)

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 848, than any candidate from either party in Gasconade County during the 2008 Missouri Presidential Preference Primary.

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Public libraries
  • Hermann Branch Library[17]
  • Owensville Branch Library[18]

Communities

Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 135.
  4. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 168–169.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Gasconade County, Missouri".
  13. "Gasconade County Officials". Gasconade County. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  14. "Missouri House of Representatives District 61". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  15. "Missouri State Senate District 6". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  17. Breeding, Marshall. "Hermann Branch Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  18. Breeding, Marshall. "Owensville Branch Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.

38.44°N 91.51°W / 38.44; -91.51

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