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Gasconade County, Missouri
Gasconade Co Courthouse 20150830 118-129
The Gasconade County Courthouse in Hermann
Map of Missouri highlighting Gasconade County
Location in the state of Missouri
Map of the U.S
Missouri's location in the U.S.
Founded November 25, 1820
Named for Gasconade River
Seat Hermann
Largest city Owensville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

524 sq mi (1,357 km²)
518 sq mi (1,342 km²)
6.6 sq mi (17 km²), 1.3
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

14,794
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website https://gasconadecounty.org/

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.

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 518 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 6.6 square miles (17 km2) (1.3%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties[]

Major highways[]

  • US 50 U.S. Route 50
  • MO-19 Route 19
  • MO-28 Route 28
  • MO-100 Route 100

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1830 1,545
1840 5,330 245.0%
1850 4,996 −6.3%
1860 8,727 74.7%
1870 10,093 15.7%
1880 11,153 10.5%
1890 11,706 5.0%
1900 12,298 5.1%
1910 12,847 4.5%
1920 12,381 −3.6%
1930 12,172 −1.7%
1940 12,414 2.0%
1950 12,342 −0.6%
1960 12,195 −1.2%
1970 11,878 −2.6%
1980 13,181 11.0%
1990 14,006 6.3%
2000 15,342 9.5%
2010 15,222 −0.8%
Est. 2021 14,791 −3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 15,342 people, 6,171 households, and 4,288 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (11/km2). There were 7,813 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White, 0.12% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Approximately 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,171 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.60% 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 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.80% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,047, and the median income 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 age 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 completely controls politics at the local level in Gasconade County. Republicans hold all of the elected positions in the county.[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

Gasconade County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives.

  • District 61 — Justin Alferman (R-Herman). Consists of the communities of Gasconade, Herman, Morrison, and Mt. Sterling.
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
Missouri House of Representatives — District 61 — Gasconade County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dave Schatz 2,067 68.76%
Democratic Michael Sage 939 31.24% {{{change}}}
  • District 62 – Tom Hurst (R-Meta). Consists of the communities of Bland, Owensville, and Rosebud.
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Gasconade County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 3,570 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Gasconade County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 1,953 100.00 +30.28
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Gasconade County (2012)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Hurst 2,701 69.72
Democratic Greg Stratman 1,173 30.28

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

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[14]
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 the state of Missouri. The Republican presidential nominee has won Gasconade County in every presidential election since 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 percent of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71 percent 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 percent voting against the measure. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent 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 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent 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)[]

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[15]
  • Owensville Branch Library[16]

Communities[]

Cities and towns[]

  • Bland (partly in Osage County)
  • Gasconade
  • Hermann (county seat)
  • Morrison
  • Owensville (largest city)
  • Rosebud
  • Swiss

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Bay
  • Bem
  • Cleavesville
  • Drake
  • Fredericksburg
  • Little Berger
  • Mount Sterling
  • New Woollam
  • Redbird

See also[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US29073. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off.. pp. 135. https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA135. 
  4. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 168–169. https://books.google.com/books?id=RfAuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA168. 
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_29.txt. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mo190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/29/29073.html. 
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Gasconade County, Missouri". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Gasconade%20County,%20Missouri&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  13. ^ "Gasconade County Officials". 2019-09-05. https://gasconadecounty.org/county-officials/. 
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  15. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Hermann Branch Library". Libraries.org. https://librarytechnology.org/library/20292. 
  16. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Owensville Branch Library". Libraries.org. https://librarytechnology.org/library/20294. 

External links[]

Commons-logo Images and media from Commons

Coordinates: 38°26′N 91°31′W / 38.44, -91.51

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Gasconade County, Missouri. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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