Until 18 July 2020, Hornostaivka was the administrative center of Hornostaivka Raion. The raion was abolished in July 2020 as part of the administrative reform of Ukraine, which reduced the number of raions of Kherson Oblast to five. The area of Hornostaivka Raion was merged into Kakhovka Raion.[3][4]
Until 26 January 2024, Hornostaivka was designated urban-type settlement. On this day, a new law entered into force which abolished this status, and Hornostaivka became a rural settlement.[5]