Worth County, Missouri

Last updated

Worth County
County
Worth County Courthouse, Grant City, Missouri - retouched.jpg
Worth County Courthouse in Grant City
Map of Missouri highlighting Worth County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri in United States.svg
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°29′N94°25′W / 40.48°N 94.42°W / 40.48; -94.42
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Missouri.svg Missouri
FoundedFebruary 8, 1861
Named after William J. Worth
Seat Grant City
Largest cityGrant City
Area
 • Total
267 sq mi (690 km2)
 • Land267 sq mi (690 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)  0.08%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,973
 • Estimate 
(2021)
1,983 Increase2.svg
 • Density7.4/sq mi (2.9/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 6th
Website www.worthcounty.us

Worth County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,973. [1] It is the smallest county in the state in population and, excluding the independent city of St. Louis, the smallest in total area. Its county seat is Grant City. [2] The county was organized February 8, 1861, being split from Gentry County, [3] and named for General William J. Worth, who served in the Mexican–American War. [4] Worth County is also the youngest county in the state. [5]

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 267 square miles (690 km2), of which 267 square miles (690 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.08%) is water. [6] It is the smallest county in Missouri by area. Iowa is located to the north of Worth County.

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870 5,004—
1880 8,20363.9%
1890 8,7386.5%
1900 9,83212.5%
1910 8,007−18.6%
1920 7,642−4.6%
1930 6,535−14.5%
1940 6,345−2.9%
1950 5,120−19.3%
1960 3,936−23.1%
1970 3,359−14.7%
1980 3,008−10.4%
1990 2,440−18.9%
2000 2,382−2.4%
2010 2,171−8.9%
2020 1,973−9.1%
2021 (est.)1,983 [7] 0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10]
1990-2000 [11] 2010-2020 [1]

2020 Census

Worth County Racial Composition [12]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)1,88795.64%
Black or African American (NH)00%
Native American (NH)40.2%
Asian (NH)40.2%
Pacific Islander (NH)50.25%
Other/Mixed (NH)482.43%
Hispanic or Latino 251.26%

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,382 people, 1,009 households, and 677 families residing in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (3.5 people/km2). There were 1,245 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.99% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.08% Asian, and 0.42% from two or more races. Approximately 0.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,009 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 22.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,471, and the median income for a family was $34,044. Males had a median income of $24,138 versus $17,300 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,367. About 10.90% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.80% of those under age 18 and 11.50% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

Public libraries

Communities

Cities

Villages

Extinct Places

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Worth County. [14]

†county seat

RankNameMunicipal TypePopulation
1 Grant City †4th Class City817
2 Sheridan 4th Class City145
3 Worth Village65
4 Allendale 3rd Class City48
5 Denver Village32
6 Irena Village14

Politics

Local

The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Worth County. Republicans hold the majority of elected positions in the county.

Worth County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor Tresha Petty Republican
Circuit Clerk Corey Herron Republican
County Clerk Roberta Owens Republican
Collector Jessica Davidson Republican
Commissioner
(presiding)		 Jubal Summers Republican
Commissioner
(district 1)		 Regan Nonneman Republican
Commissioner
(district 2)		 Tyler Paxson Republican
Coroner Sharon Paxson Republican
Prosecuting Attorney Janet Wake Larison Democratic
Public Administrator Patsy A. Worthington Republican
Recorder Amanda Gilland Democratic
Sheriff Scott Sherer Republican
Surveyor NA Republican
Treasurer Stephanie Hardy Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2024 81.37%87817.05% 1841.58% 17
2020 79.36%86918.72% 2051.92% 21
2016 68.79%71428.23% 2932.98% 31
2012 50.14%52446.51% 4863.35% 35
2008 48.95%55947.99% 5483.06% 35
2004 58.43%66240.69% 4610.88% 10
200049.16%55748.72% 4612.12% 24
199634.11% 42564.37%8021.52% 19

Worth County is part of the 1st district in the Missouri House of Representatives, currently held by Jeff Farnan (R-Stanberry).

Missouri House of Representatives — District 1 — Worth County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Allen Andrews970100.00%+16.01
Missouri House of Representatives — District 1 — Worth County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Allen Andrews64083.99%−16.01
Democratic Robert Ritterbusch12216.01%+16.01
Missouri House of Representatives — District 1 — Worth County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Mike Thomson946100.00%

Worth County is part of the 12th District in the Missouri Senate, currently held by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby).

Missouri Senate — District 12 — Worth County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Dan Hegeman618100.00%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — Worth County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Roy Blunt66764.51%+21.42
Democratic Jason Kander32131.04%−18.20
Libertarian Jonathan Dine302.90%−4.59
Green Johnathan McFarland50.48%+0.48
Constitution Fred Ryman111.06+1.06
U.S. Senate — Missouri — Worth County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Todd Akin44943.09
Democratic Claire McCaskill51549.24
Libertarian Jonathan Dine787.49

Worth 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.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Worth County (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Sam Graves78075.80%+9.93
Democratic David M. Blackwell20620.02%−7.34
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil292.82%−3.95
Green Mike Diel141.36%+1.36
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 6th Congressional District — Worth County (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Sam Graves49665.87%−1.69
Democratic Bill Hedge20627.36%−1.92
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil516.77%+3.61
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 6th Congressional District — Worth County (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Sam Graves70667.56%
Democratic Kyle Yarber30629.28%
Libertarian Russ Lee Monchil333.16%
United States presidential election results for Worth County, Missouri [15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1888 77144.41%78945.45%17610.14%
1892 62433.46%69637.32%54529.22%
1896 88541.24%1,24858.15%130.61%
1900 1,02345.73%1,12350.20%914.07%
1904 1,04249.78%96746.20%844.01%
1908 98548.43%99348.82%562.75%
1912 76939.11%97349.49%22411.39%
1916 89244.29%1,07953.57%432.14%
1920 1,88854.72%1,53244.41%300.87%
1924 1,66649.66%1,65049.18%391.16%
1928 1,83956.46%1,40743.20%110.34%
1932 1,04136.90%1,76362.50%170.60%
1936 1,58144.46%1,94454.67%310.87%
1940 1,80751.44%1,70248.45%40.11%
1944 1,44450.12%1,43749.88%00.00%
1948 1,16242.53%1,56357.21%70.26%
1952 1,68257.72%1,22742.11%50.17%
1956 1,33849.70%1,35450.30%00.00%
1960 1,35550.60%1,32349.40%00.00%
1964 83137.70%1,37362.30%00.00%
1968 92448.55%85344.82%1266.62%
1972 1,17061.68%72738.32%00.00%
1976 77144.08%96955.40%90.51%
1980 83350.27%76045.87%643.86%
1984 92155.65%73444.35%00.00%
1988 67747.98%73251.88%20.14%
1992 48334.18%59942.39%33123.43%
1996 54042.42%57244.93%16112.65%
2000 65156.22%46940.50%383.28%
2004 69161.04%43638.52%50.44%
2008 70760.22%42736.37%403.41%
2012 66463.36%34132.54%434.10%
2016 80877.25%19518.64%434.11%
2020 87779.22%21519.42%151.36%
2024 90481.81%19017.19%111.00%

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 171, than any candidate from either party in Worth County during the 2008 presidential primary.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Gamble, William H. "County map of the states of Iowa and Missouri, 1860". Iowa Digital Library. S. Augustus Mitchell 1860. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  4. ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 372.
  5. ↑ "What are the Origins of Missouri Counties?". State of Missouri. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021" . Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ "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 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Worth County, Missouri".
  13. ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Worth County Library Association". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  14. ↑ "2023-2024 Official Manual of the State of Missouri". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  15. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.

40°29′N94°25′W / 40.48°N 94.42°W / 40.48; -94.42

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