Gove County
countyGove County, located in northwest Kansas, is a predominantly rural county known for its agricultural heritage and striking natural landmarks. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,718. The county seat is Gove City, while Quinter is the most populous city. Gove County offers a tranquil, community-focused environment rooted in the traditions of the Great Plains. The economy of Gove County is largely based on agriculture, including dryland wheat farming and cattle ranching. Other key sectors include agricultural equipment manufacturing and healthcare, with Gove County Medical Center serving as a regional critical access hospital. The county benefits from its location along Interstate 70, facilitating transportation and commerce. Gove County's unique geological formations, such as Castle Rock and Monument Rocks, draw tourists and fossil enthusiasts. These landmarks, remnants of an ancient inland sea, provide a glimpse into the area's prehistoric past. The county's history is also reflected in its early settlements along the Smoky Hill Trail and its role in the westward expansion of the United States.
Gove County, Kansas
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 20-063
- Country
- United States
- County
- Gove County
- Region
- Northwest Kansas
- Elevation
- 3,000 ft
- Total Area
- 1,072 sq mi
- Land Area
- 1,072 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.1 sq mi
- Latitude
- 38.92
- Longitude
- -100.4967
- Climate
- The county's surface was undulating with bluffs and rough lands along the streams.
- Notable Features
- Castle Rock · Monument Rocks · Smoky Hill River
- Neighboring Areas
- Thomas County · Sheridan County · Logan County · Trego County · Lane County · Scott County
- Population (2020)
- 2,718
- Est. Population (2025)
- 2,742
- Median Age
- 43
- Median Income
- $64,286
- Poverty Rate
- 6.5%
- Owner-Occupied
- 76%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.1% of the population.
- Government Type
- County
- Governing Body
- Board of County Commissioners
- Body Size
- 3 members
- Municipal Services
- County Clerk's Office · Treasurer's Office · Sheriff's Office · Road and Bridge Department · District Court
- Unemployment Rate
- 2.7%
- Economic Profile
- Agriculture · Agricultural equipment manufacturing · Healthcare
- Employment Sectors
- Retail Trade · Other Service excl Pub Admin · Public Administration · Agric/Forestry/Fish/Hunt · Transportation/Warehouse
- School Districts
- Grinnell Public Schools USD 291 · Quinter Public Schools USD 293 · Wheatland USD 292
- Transportation
- U.S. Highway 40 · Kansas Highway 23 · Union Pacific Railroad
- Major Facilities
- Gove County Medical Center · Gove County Courthouse
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Castle Rock · Monument Rocks
- Founded
- 1868
- Incorporated
- 1886
- Named After
- Granville Llewellyn Gove
- Historical Significance
- Gove County's history is tied to westward expansion, agriculture, and the unique geological formations that define its landscape.
- Key Events
- Establishment after the completion of the Kansas Pacific Railroad · Early settlements along the Smoky Hill Trail · COVID-19 pandemic






