Hickory County, Missouri Demographics 2026

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.

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. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 55% lower. 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%.