Gentry County, Missouri

Gentry County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,162.[1] Its county seat is Albany.[2] The county was organized February 14, 1841[3] and named for General Richard Gentry[4] of Boone County, who fell in the Seminole War in 1837.

Gentry County
Gentry County Courthouse in Albany
Gentry County Courthouse in Albany
Map of Missouri highlighting Gentry County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°13′N 94°25′W / 40.22°N 94.41°W / 40.22; -94.41
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedFebruary 14, 1841
Named forRichard Gentry
SeatAlbany
Largest cityAlbany
Area
 • Total
492 sq mi (1,270 km2)
 • Land491 sq mi (1,270 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.06%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
6,162
 • Density13/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitegentrycounty.net

Geography

edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 492 square miles (1,270 km2), of which 491 square miles (1,270 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.06%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

edit

Major highways

edit

Demographics

edit
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18504,248
186011,862179.2%
187011,607−2.1%
188017,17648.0%
189019,01810.7%
190020,5548.1%
191016,820−18.2%
192015,634−7.1%
193014,348−8.2%
194013,359−6.9%
195011,036−17.4%
19608,793−20.3%
19708,060−8.3%
19807,887−2.1%
19906,848−13.2%
20006,8610.2%
20106,738−1.8%
20206,162−8.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2015[1]

As of the census[11] of 2010, there were 6,738 people, 2,674 households, and 1,789 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 3,209 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.38% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.27% Asian, 0.19% Native American, 0.16% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,674 households, of which 29.06% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.42% were married couples living together, 8.23% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 29.02% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.07% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.55% under the age of 18, 7.85% from 18 to 24, 20.67% from 25 to 44, 26.43% from 45 to 64, and 20.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females there were 93.62 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.43 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,556, and the median income for a family was $46,458. Males had a median income of $33,558 versus $25,815 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,021. About 9.30% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 15.00% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

edit

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives County Membership Report (2010), Gentry County is sometimes regarded as being on the northern edge of the Bible Belt, with evangelical Protestantism being the most predominant religion. The most predominant denominations among residents in Gentry County who adhere to a religion are Southern Baptists (46.29%), United Methodists (18.20%), and Disciples of Christ (13.12%).

2020 Census

edit
Gentry County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 5,851 95%
Black or African American (NH) 15 0.24%
Native American (NH) 6 0.1%
Asian (NH) 9 0.15%
Pacific Islander (NH) 1 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 190 3.1%
Hispanic or Latino 90 1.5%

Education

edit

Public schools

edit

Public libraries

edit
  • Albany Carnegie Public Library[13] - Albany
  • Gentry County Library[14] - Stanberry

Communities

edit

Cities

edit

Villages

edit

Unincorporated Communities

edit

Politics

edit

Local

edit

Political control is divided at the local level in Gentry County. Republicans hold a slim majority of the elected positions in the county.

Gentry County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Penny Woods Republican
Circuit Clerk Janet Parsons Republican
County Clerk Carol Reidlinger Democratic
Collector Linda Combs Democratic
Commissioner
(Presiding)
Mike Sager Republican
Commissioner
(District 1)
Larry B. Wilson Democratic
Commissioner
(District 2)
Gary Carlson Republican
Coroner Andrew E. Lindner Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Jessica J. Jones Republican
Public Administrator Vicky Fish Republican
Recorder Janet Parsons Republican
Sheriff Tim Davis Democratic
Treasurer Linda Combs Democratic

State

edit
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 78.85% 2,539 19.60% 631 1.55% 50
2016 64.07% 1,940 33.35% 1,010 2.58% 78
2012 47.92% 1,429 48.89% 1,458 3.19% 95
2008 42.98% 1,400 54.16% 1,764 2.86% 93
2004 57.61% 1,901 41.03% 1,354 1.36% 45
2000 49.24% 1,522 49.27% 1,523 2.12% 46
1996 29.67% 981 68.75% 2,273 1.57% 52

Gentry County is part of the 2nd district in the Missouri House of Representatives, currently held by J. Eggleston (R-Maysville).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 2 — Gentry County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Eggleston 2,570 81.46% −18.54
Democratic Mindi Smith 585 18.54% +18.54
Missouri House of Representatives — District 2 — Gentry County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican J. Eggleston 2,228 100.00% +0.00

Gentry County is a part of Missouri's 12th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby).

Missouri Senate — District 12 — Gentry County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Hegeman 1,998 79.76% −20.24
Democratic Terry Richard 507 20.24% +20.24
Missouri Senate — District 12 — Gentry County (2014)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Hegeman 1,322 100.00%

Federal

edit

All of Gentry County is included in Missouri's 6th Congressional District and is currently represented by Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Graves was elected to an eleventh term in 2020 over Democratic challenger Gena Ross.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Gentry County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 2,591 81.25% +5.35
Democratic Gena L. Ross 535 16.78% −3.54
Libertarian Jim Higgins 63 1.98% −1.80
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Gentry County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Sam Graves 1,927 75.90% −0.74
Democratic Henry Robert Martin 516 20.32% −0.47
Libertarian Dan Hogan 96 3.78% +2.28

Gentry County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the U.S. Senate by Josh Hawley (R-Columbia) and Roy Blunt (R-Strafford).

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Gentry County (2018)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Josh Hawley 1,689 66.31% +24.73
Democratic Claire McCaskill 734 28.82% −20.44
Independent Craig O'Dear 58 2.28%
Libertarian Japheth Campbell 44 1.73% −7.43
Green Jo Crain 22 0.86% +0.86
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Gentry County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Roy Blunt 1,860 61.69% +20.11
Democratic Jason Kander 1,025 34.00% −15.26
Libertarian Jonathan Dine 68 2.25% −6.91
Green Johnathan McFarland 35 1.16% +1.16
Constitution Fred Ryman 27 0.90% +0.90

Political culture

edit
United States presidential election results for Gentry County, Missouri[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,581 79.73% 613 18.94% 43 1.33%
2016 2,304 75.71% 605 19.88% 134 4.40%
2012 1,988 66.29% 937 31.24% 74 2.47%
2008 1,964 59.66% 1,235 37.52% 93 2.83%
2004 2,085 62.95% 1,201 36.26% 26 0.79%
2000 1,771 57.04% 1,271 40.93% 63 2.03%
1996 1,361 41.36% 1,493 45.37% 437 13.28%
1992 1,272 34.16% 1,519 40.79% 933 25.05%
1988 1,554 45.27% 1,872 54.53% 7 0.20%
1984 2,047 56.13% 1,600 43.87% 0 0.00%
1980 2,005 51.82% 1,720 44.46% 144 3.72%
1976 1,772 43.92% 2,249 55.74% 14 0.35%
1972 2,984 64.50% 1,642 35.50% 0 0.00%
1968 2,286 48.73% 2,189 46.66% 216 4.60%
1964 1,677 34.40% 3,198 65.60% 0 0.00%
1960 2,888 54.21% 2,439 45.79% 0 0.00%
1956 3,020 53.15% 2,662 46.85% 0 0.00%
1952 3,429 57.76% 2,508 42.24% 0 0.00%
1948 2,633 43.56% 3,410 56.42% 1 0.02%
1944 2,970 49.50% 3,022 50.37% 8 0.13%
1940 3,446 48.17% 3,689 51.57% 19 0.27%
1936 3,115 42.64% 4,173 57.12% 18 0.25%
1932 1,877 33.74% 3,677 66.10% 9 0.16%
1928 3,506 56.04% 2,735 43.72% 15 0.24%
1924 3,318 45.94% 3,555 49.22% 349 4.83%
1920 3,442 49.68% 3,374 48.69% 113 1.63%
1916 1,823 42.32% 2,404 55.80% 81 1.88%
1912 1,268 30.33% 2,268 54.25% 645 15.43%
1908 1,882 44.75% 2,236 53.16% 88 2.09%
1904 2,060 46.91% 2,157 49.12% 174 3.96%
1900 2,185 45.44% 2,459 51.13% 165 3.43%
1896 2,000 40.38% 2,906 58.67% 47 0.95%
1892 1,607 37.83% 2,003 47.15% 638 15.02%
1888 1,623 41.97% 2,039 52.73% 205 5.30%

At the presidential level, Gentry County is solidly Republican. Donald Trump carried the county easily in 2016 and 2020. Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Gentry County in 1996, and no Democrat has won majority support from Gentry County voters since Michael Dukakis in 1988.

Like most rural areas throughout northwest Missouri, voters in Gentry 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 won in Gentry County with 79.9% of the vote. The initiative passed the state with 71% support from voters. In 2006, Missourians voted on a constitutional amendment to fund and legalize embryonic stem cell research in the state—it failed in Gentry County with 58.3% 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 Gentry 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 Gentry County with 63.3% 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.) In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning right to work, the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 61.82% of Gentry County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

Missouri presidential preference primaries

edit

2020

edit

The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Joe Biden (D-Delaware) both won statewide and carried Gentry County by a wide margin. He went on to defeat President Donald Trump in the general election.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Gentry County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 291 73.30
Democratic Bernie Sanders 83 20.91
Democratic Michael Bloomberg 5 1.26
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 18 4.53

Incumbent President Donald Trump (R-Florida) faced only nominal opposition in the primary and won both Gentry County and statewide by large margins.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Gentry County (2020)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 476 97.94
Republican Others/Uncommitted 10 2.06

2016

edit

The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman Donald Trump (R-New York) narrowly won the state overall and carried a plurality of the vote in Gentry County. He went on to win the presidency.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Daviess County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Donald Trump 435 40.65
Republican Ted Cruz 405 37.85
Republican John Kasich 116 10.84
Republican Marco Rubio 69 6.45
Republican Ben Carson 22 2.06
Republican Others/Uncommitted 23 2.15

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-New York) both won statewide by a small margin but narrowly lost Gentry County to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont).

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Gentry County (2016)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bernie Sanders 176 49.44
Democratic Hillary Clinton 171 48.03
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 9 2.53

2012

edit

The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Gentry County supported former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent President Barack Obama easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

2008

edit

In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination.

Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Gentry County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John McCain 217 36.90
Republican Mike Huckabee 182 30.95
Republican Mitt Romney 155 26.36
Republican Ron Paul 23 3.91
Republican Others/Uncommitted 11 1.87

Then-Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Gentry County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, Barack Obama (D-Illinois), also a Senator at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.

Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Gentry County (2008)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Clinton 409 53.32
Democratic Barack Obama 312 40.68
Democratic Others/Uncommitted 46 6.00

Miscellaneous

edit

On March 5, 2010, a jury awarded seven neighboring farmers $11 million in damages from Premium Standard Farms over odors emanating from a hog farm of 4,300 acres (17 km2) that processes 200,000 hogs near Berlin in Gentry County - the largest such award in history.[16]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp. 169.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 136.
  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. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  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) – Gentry County, Missouri".
  13. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Albany Carnegie Public Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ^ Breeding, Marshall. "Gentry County Library". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  16. ^ Middleton, Jr, Richard (March 5, 2010). "Hog farm operators ordered to pay $11M for odor". stlouis.bizjournals.com. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
edit

40°13′N 94°25′W / 40.22°N 94.41°W / 40.22; -94.41