Hickory County, Missouri Demographics 2026
Hickory County, Missouri has a population of 8,501, the 94th most populous county in Missouri. The median household income is $35,084 and the median home value is $123,200. The poverty rate is 19.5%.
Hickory County Quick Facts
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Hickory County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermitage | 683 | $22,813 | 48.3% | $103,100 |
| Weaubleau | 603 | $31,103 | 32.7% | $76,700 |
| Cross Timbers | 386 | $53,529 | 3.4% | N/A |
| Preston | 348 | $30,500 | 42.2% | $147,500 |
| Wheatland | 289 | $28,068 | 33.6% | $83,800 |
Explore Missouri Rankings
Population Overview
Hickory County is located in Missouri with a total population of 8,501. It is the 94th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hickory County is 55.2 years. This is 42% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 14.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hickory County is $35,084. This is 49% lower than the state median of $68,920. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $78,538. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%. This is 55% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 194% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $123,200. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 84.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hickory County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Hickory County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), with comparisons drawn against Missouri and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hickory County, Missouri?
Hickory County has a population of 8,501, making it the 94th most populous county in Missouri.
What is the median income in Hickory County?
The median household income in Hickory County is $35,084 with a poverty rate of 19.5%.
How many cities are in Hickory County, Missouri?
Hickory County contains 5 Census-designated places.