Gasconade County, Missouri

Gasconade County is a county in the U.S. state of Missouri. Located in the Missouri Rhineland the population was 15,342 as of the 2000 census. Its county seat is Hermann. 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 Ozark Highlands AVA, established in 1987.

Origin of name

The Gasconade County (and Gasconade River) received its name from French-speaking settlers.

They came from the Gascony region in southwest France during French colonial rule of New France (Louisiana Territory.)

According to Ramsay, the French colonial inhabitants of this region had the same boastful character as the inhabitants of Gascony in France. Hence the name Gasconade, meaning 'Gascony-like'.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 526 square miles (1,363 km²), of which, 521 square miles (1,349 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (14 km²) of it (1.03%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Montgomery County (north)
Warren County (northeast)
Franklin County (east)
Crawford County (southeast)
Phelps County (south)
Maries County (southwest)
Osage County (west)

Major highways

Demographics

As of the census 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. 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.