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Gasconade County, Missouri facts for kids

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Gasconade 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.
Country  United States
State  Missouri
Founded November 25, 1820
Named for Gasconade River
Seat Hermann
Largest city Owensville
Area
 • Total 524 sq mi (1,360 km2)
 • Land 518 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Water 6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 14,794
 • Density 28.233/sq mi (10.901/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code 573
Congressional district 3rd

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. The county seat has been Hermann since 1842. 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. 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,' 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.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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

Demographics

Historical population
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%
2020 14,794 −2.8%
2021 (est.) 14,791 −2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2015

As of the census 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
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%

Education

Public schools

  • Gasconade County R-I School District - Hermann
    • Hermann Elementary School (K-03)
    • Hermann Middle School (04-08)
    • Hermann High School (09-12)
  • Gasconade County R-II School District - Owensville
    • Owensville Elementary School (K-05)
    • Owensville Middle School (06-08)
    • Owensville High School (09-12)

Private schools

Public libraries

  • Hermann Branch Library
  • Owensville Branch Library

Communities

Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Gasconade para niños

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