Worth County, Missouri
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] According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 population estimates, Worth County’s population was 1,914, representing a decrease of about 3% since the 2020 census.[2] 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.[3] The county was organized on February 8, 1861, being split from Gentry County,[4] and named for General William J. Worth, who served in the Mexican–American War.[5] Worth County is also the youngest county in the state (again excluding the City of St. Louis, which became independent in 1876).[6]
Geography
[edit]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.[7] It is the smallest county in Missouri by area. Iowa is located to the north of Worth County.
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Taylor County, Iowa (northwest)
- Ringgold County, Iowa (northeast)
- Harrison County (east)
- Gentry County (south)
- Nodaway County (west)
Transportation
[edit]Major highways
[edit]Source:[8]
Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 1,973 and a median age of 47.8 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.2 males age 18 and over.[9]
The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.3% of the population.[10]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[11]
There were 876 households in the county, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[9]
There were 1,114 housing units, of which 21.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.5% were owner-occupied and 24.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.[9]
Racial and ethnic composition
[edit]The following table shows the county's racial and ethnic composition from 1980 through 2020.
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[12] | Pop 1990[13] | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 2,999 | 2,424 | 2,351 | 2,115 | 1,887 | 99.70% | 99.34% | 98.70% | 97.42% | 95.64% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.17% | 0.51% | 0.00% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.34% | 0.23% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 2 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0.07% | 0.20% | 0.08% | 0.28% | 0.20% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [17] | x [18] | 0 | 0 | 5 | x | x | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.25% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.14% | 0.00% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [19] | x [20] | 10 | 8 | 48 | x | x | 0.42% | 0.37% | 2.43% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5 | 9 | 7 | 23 | 25 | 0.17% | 0.37% | 0.29% | 1.06% | 1.27% |
| Total | 3,008 | 2,440 | 2,382 | 2,171 | 1,973 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
[edit]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
[edit]
Public schools
[edit]- Worth County R-III School District – Grant City
- Worth County Elementary School (PK–6)
- Worth County High School (7–12)
Public libraries
[edit]- Worth County Library Association[21]
Communities
[edit]Cities
[edit]- Grant City (county seat)
- Sheridan
- Allendale
Villages
[edit]Extinct Places
[edit]Townships
[edit]Population ranking
[edit]The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Worth County.[22]
† county seat
| Rank | Name | Municipal Type | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grant City † | 4th Class City | 817 |
| 2 | Sheridan | 4th Class City | 145 |
| 3 | Worth | Village | 65 |
| 4 | Allendale | 3rd Class City | 48 |
| 5 | Denver | Village | 32 |
| 6 | Irena | Village | 14 |
Politics
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Local
[edit]The Republican Party controls politics at the local level in Worth County. Republicans hold the majority of elected positions in the county.
Template:Missouri county elected officials
State
[edit]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 81.37% 878 | 17.05% 184 | 1.58% 17 |
| 2020 | 79.36% 869 | 18.72% 205 | 1.92% 21 |
| 2016 | 68.79% 714 | 28.23% 293 | 2.98% 31 |
| 2012 | 50.14% 524 | 46.51% 486 | 3.35% 35 |
| 2008 | 48.95% 559 | 47.99% 548 | 3.06% 35 |
| 2004 | 58.43% 662 | 40.69% 461 | 0.88% 10 |
| 2000 | 49.16% 557 | 48.72% 461 | 2.12% 24 |
| 1996 | 34.11% 425 | 64.37% 802 | 1.52% 19 |
Worth County is part of the 1st district in the Missouri House of Representatives, currently held by Jeff Farnan (R-Stanberry). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Worth County is part of the 12th District in the Missouri Senate, currently held by Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby). Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
Federal
[edit]Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end 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. Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end Template:Election box begin Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box end
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 771 | 44.41% | 789 | 45.45% | 176 | 10.14% |
| 1892 | 624 | 33.46% | 696 | 37.32% | 545 | 29.22% |
| 1896 | 885 | 41.24% | 1,248 | 58.15% | 13 | 0.61% |
| 1900 | 1,023 | 45.73% | 1,123 | 50.20% | 91 | 4.07% |
| 1904 | 1,042 | 49.78% | 967 | 46.20% | 84 | 4.01% |
| 1908 | 985 | 48.43% | 993 | 48.82% | 56 | 2.75% |
| 1912 | 769 | 39.11% | 973 | 49.49% | 224 | 11.39% |
| 1916 | 892 | 44.29% | 1,079 | 53.57% | 43 | 2.14% |
| 1920 | 1,888 | 54.72% | 1,532 | 44.41% | 30 | 0.87% |
| 1924 | 1,666 | 49.66% | 1,650 | 49.18% | 39 | 1.16% |
| 1928 | 1,839 | 56.46% | 1,407 | 43.20% | 11 | 0.34% |
| 1932 | 1,041 | 36.90% | 1,763 | 62.50% | 17 | 0.60% |
| 1936 | 1,581 | 44.46% | 1,944 | 54.67% | 31 | 0.87% |
| 1940 | 1,807 | 51.44% | 1,702 | 48.45% | 4 | 0.11% |
| 1944 | 1,444 | 50.12% | 1,437 | 49.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,162 | 42.53% | 1,563 | 57.21% | 7 | 0.26% |
| 1952 | 1,682 | 57.72% | 1,227 | 42.11% | 5 | 0.17% |
| 1956 | 1,338 | 49.70% | 1,354 | 50.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,355 | 50.60% | 1,323 | 49.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 831 | 37.70% | 1,373 | 62.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 924 | 48.55% | 853 | 44.82% | 126 | 6.62% |
| 1972 | 1,170 | 61.68% | 727 | 38.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 771 | 44.08% | 969 | 55.40% | 9 | 0.51% |
| 1980 | 833 | 50.27% | 760 | 45.87% | 64 | 3.86% |
| 1984 | 921 | 55.65% | 734 | 44.35% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 677 | 47.98% | 732 | 51.88% | 2 | 0.14% |
| 1992 | 483 | 34.18% | 599 | 42.39% | 331 | 23.43% |
| 1996 | 540 | 42.42% | 572 | 44.93% | 161 | 12.65% |
| 2000 | 651 | 56.22% | 469 | 40.50% | 38 | 3.28% |
| 2004 | 691 | 61.04% | 436 | 38.52% | 5 | 0.44% |
| 2008 | 707 | 60.22% | 427 | 36.37% | 40 | 3.41% |
| 2012 | 664 | 63.36% | 341 | 32.54% | 43 | 4.10% |
| 2016 | 808 | 77.25% | 195 | 18.64% | 43 | 4.11% |
| 2020 | 877 | 79.22% | 215 | 19.42% | 15 | 1.36% |
| 2024 | 904 | 81.81% | 190 | 17.19% | 11 | 1.00% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Worth County, Missouri". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Gamble, William H. "County map of the states of Iowa and Missouri, 1860". Iowa Digital Library. S. Augustus Mitchell 1860. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ↑ Eaton, David Wolfe (1918). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 372.
- ↑ "What are the Origins of Missouri Counties?". State of Missouri. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ↑ "County Maps". Missouri Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Missouri- Table 16 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 20-25.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Missouri: Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 13-63.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Worth County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Worth County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Worth County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ↑ Breeding, Marshall. "Worth County Library Association". Libraries.org. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
- ↑ "2023-2024 Official Manual of the State of Missouri". Missouri Secretary of State. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
External links
[edit]- Digitized 1930 Plat Book of Worth County Archived August 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from University of Missouri Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books
- Official website of Worth County, Missouri.