Hickory County is located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,279. Its county seat is Hermitage. The county was organized February 14, 1845, and named after President Andrew Jackson, whose nickname was "Old Hickory." The Pomme de Terre Dam, a Corps of Engineers facility, is located three miles south of Hermitage and forms Lake Pomme de Terre by damming the Pomme de Terre River and Lindley Creek. The county is also home to Lucas Oil Speedway at Wheatland that includes a major circle dirt racing track, an off-road racing track as well as a large man-made water drag racing facility. Truman Reservoir, also a Corps of Engineers facility, floods the Pomme de Terre Reservoir from the northern border of the county southward to the city limits of Hermitage.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (3.1%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Missouri by area.
Adjacent counties
Benton County (north)
Camden County (east)
Dallas County (southeast)
Polk County (south)
St. Clair County (west)
Major highways
20px U.S. Route 54
20px U.S. Route 65
20px Route 64
20px Route 64B
20px Route 83
20px Route 123
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,940 people, 3,911 households, and 2,737 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 6,184 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.51% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Approximately 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,911 households, out of which 22.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 19.90% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 19.10% from 25 to 44, 29.70% from 45 to 64, and 26.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,346, and the median income for a family was $28,779. Males had a median income of $22,679 versus $17,610 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,536. About 13.00% of families and 19.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.90% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public schools
[http://www.hermitage.k12.mo.us/ Hermitage R-IV School District] – Hermitage
Hermitage Elementary School (PK-05)
Hermitage Middle School (06-08)
Hermitage High School (09-12)
[http://skylineschools.info/ Hickory County R-I School District] – Urbana
Skyline Elementary School (K-04)
Skyline Middle School (05-08)
Skyline High School (09-12)
[http://www.weaubleau.k12.mo.us/ Weaubleau R-III School District] – Weaubleau
Weaubleau Elementary School (PK-06)
Weaubleau High School (07-12)
Wheatland R-II School District[http://www.wheatlandschool.com/]
Wheatland Elementary School (PK-06)
Wheatland High School (07-12)
Public libraries
Hickory County Library
Politics
Local
The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Hickory County. Republicans hold all but four of the elected positions in the county.
State
All of Hickory County is a part of Missouri's 125th District in the Missouri House of Representatives and is represented by [http://house.mo.gov/member.aspx?year=2017&district=125 Warren D. Love] (R-Osceola).
All of Hickory County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the Missouri Senate. The seat is held by Sandy Crawford who was elected after the previous incumbent, Mike Parson, was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2016.
Federal
All of Hickory County is included in Missouri's 4th Congressional District and is currently represented by Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Political culture
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
Former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,056, than any candidate from either party in Hickory County during the 2008 presidential primary.
Communities
Cities and Towns
Cross Timbers
Hermitage (county seat)
Preston
Weaubleau
Wheatland
Unincorporated Communities
Avery
Elkton
Jordan
Nemo
Pittsburg
Quincy
White Cloud
Notable people
Mike Parson - 57th Governor of Missouri
Sally Rand – legendary burlesque dancer
