Gunter, Texas

Gunter is a city in the southwestern corner of Grayson County, Texas, 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 328 acre 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 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 10 mi 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-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 18 mi to Sherman, the county seat, and south 10 mi to Celina.

The city's boundaries expanded between 2000 and 2010. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 1.5 sqmi, all land, in 2000, which had increased to 45.7 sqkm in 2010, of which 45.4 sqkm were land and 0.3 sqkm, 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 system, Gunter has a humid subtropical climate, 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.