Gunter is a city in the southwestern corner of
Grayson County, Texas
Grayson County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, its population was 135,543. The county seat is Sherman, Texas, Sherman. The county was founded in 1846 and is named ...
, United States. The population was 2,060 at the
2020 census,
up from 1,498 at the 2010 census. It is part of the
Sherman–Denison metropolitan area.
History
Gunter was founded in 1902 (other sources report 1901, with a post office as early as 1898) when the family of John (a/k/a Jot) Gunter deeded for the original townsite, near the intersection of current
State Highway 289 and
Farm to Market Road 121. The first residence was established in 1903 by Albert Earthman, who would later charter the First National Bank in Gunter. A second bank, the First State Bank, would later open.
Gunter steadily grew until 1924, when the First State Bank (having outlasted the First National Bank) closed, leaving many businesses and farmers in financial ruin. The
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...
and two devastating fires in 1930 and 1948 further damaged the local economy.
Gunter began to increase its population in the 1950s, and experienced its greatest growth, at 37 percent, during the 1990s. Gunter has started to experience overflow growth from the northern
Metroplex suburbs, due to its location on
State Highway 289 approximately north of
Celina, as well as its proximity to the
Sherman-
Denison metropolitan area and nearby
Lake Texoma. In May 2002, a branch of
Ada, Oklahoma
Ada is a city in and the county seat of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 16,481 at the 2020 United States census. The city was named for Ada Reed, the daughter of an early settler, and was in ...
-based Landmark Bank (now part of
Simmons Bank) opened in Gunter, providing the town its first financial institution in nearly 90 years.
Geography
Gunter is located in southwestern Grayson County. State Highway 289 leads north to
Sherman, the
county seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
, and south to Celina.
The city's boundaries expanded between 2000 and 2010. According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city had a total area of , all land, in 2000, which had increased to in 2010, of which were land and , or 0.63%, were water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
system, Gunter has a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...
, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
As of the
2020 United States census, there were 2,060 people, 495 households, and 413 families residing in the city.
Government
Gunter is led by a six-person City Council, consisting of the Mayor and five members, all of which are elected at-large.
On December 12, 2023, all five of the at-large members resigned from their positions (and failed to appear at a scheduled City Council meeting the following night), leaving the Mayor as the only remaining member.
Education
Students are served by the
Gunter Independent School District.
References
External links
City of Gunter official websiteHandbook of Texas Online articleGunter Area Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control
Cities in Grayson County, Texas
Cities in Texas