Missouri is divided into 114 counties along with one independent city, St. Louis, each with its own unique history, culture, and geographic features. From rolling hills and river valleys to bustling urban centers, these counties showcase the state’s rich diversity and local character. Exploring the list of Missouri counties offers insight into how each region has developed over time, highlighting notable landmarks, economic activities, and community life. Understanding these counties helps paint a full picture of Missouri’s identity, providing readers with both historical context and a sense of the unique attributes that make each county distinctive.
List of Missouri Counties
Adair County
Home to Kirksville, Adair County is known for Truman State University and strong healthcare facilities, blending education with rural charm.
Andrew County
Located in northwest Missouri, Andrew County thrives on agriculture and community life, with Savannah as its seat.
Atchison County
At Missouri’s northwest corner, Atchison County offers fertile farmland and small-town traditions, centered in Rock Port.
Audrain County
Audrain County’s seat, Mexico, highlights cultural events and industry, while agriculture remains its economic backbone.
Barry County
Situated in southwest Missouri, Barry County showcases Ozark landscapes, outdoor activities, and Cassville as its hub.
Barton County
Barton County is famous as the birthplace of President Harry S. Truman, with Lamar as its historic county seat.
Bates County
Bates County blends farming with Civil War heritage, with Butler serving as the center of governance.
Benton County
Known for lake tourism, Benton County sits near the Osage River, with Warsaw as its vibrant county seat.
Bollinger County
Bollinger County features rugged Ozark terrain and a strong conservation focus, with Marble Hill as its seat.
Boone County
Boone County, home to Columbia and the University of Missouri, is a hub for education, business, and culture.
Buchanan County
Centered on St. Joseph, Buchanan County is rich in history, trade, and cultural development in northwest Missouri.
Butler County
Poplar Bluff anchors Butler County, a southeastern hub known for commerce, healthcare, and access to the Ozarks.
Caldwell County
Located in northwest Missouri, Caldwell County is steeped in Mormon history, with Kingston as its small county seat.
Callaway County
Known as the “Kingdom of Callaway,” this central county has Fulton as its seat and a strong agricultural base.
Camden County
Nestled by the Lake of the Ozarks, Camden County is a tourism hotspot with Osage Beach and Camdenton at its core.
Cape Girardeau County
A historic Mississippi River county, Cape Girardeau blends commerce, education, and scenic landscapes in southeast Missouri.
Carroll County
Carroll County in north-central Missouri is known for agriculture and small communities, with Carrollton as its county seat.
Carter County
Located in the Ozark foothills, Carter County is rich in natural beauty, including rivers and forests, with Van Buren as its hub.
Cass County
South of Kansas City, Cass County combines suburban development with rural areas, with Harrisonville as the seat.
Cedar County
Cedar County is known for Stockton Lake, outdoor recreation, and a mix of farming and tourism, centered in Stockton.
Chariton County
Chariton County in north-central Missouri has Brunswick as its seat, known for agriculture and the “world’s largest pecan.”
Christian County
A rapidly growing southwest county near Springfield, Christian County offers suburban life with Ozark as its hub.
Clark County
Clark County lies along the Mississippi River, with Kahoka as its seat, blending agriculture with river history.
Clay County
Part of the Kansas City metro, Clay County thrives on business, culture, and history, with Liberty as its seat.
Clinton County
Located in northwest Missouri, Clinton County is an agricultural hub, with Plattsburg as its historic county seat.
Cole County
Home to Missouri’s capital, Jefferson City, Cole County is the state’s political and administrative heart.
Cooper County
Cooper County features Boonville, a historic town on the Missouri River, blending heritage with agriculture.
Crawford County
Known for Meramec Caverns and Ozark landscapes, Crawford County attracts tourists, with Steelville as its seat.
Dade County
Located in southwest Missouri, Dade County is rooted in agriculture and outdoor recreation, with Greenfield as its county seat.
Dallas County
Dallas County, with Buffalo as its seat, is a quiet rural region in southwest Missouri known for farming and community traditions.
Daviess County
Daviess County has historical ties to early Mormon settlements, with Gallatin as its small but historic county seat.
DeKalb County
Found in northwest Missouri, DeKalb County centers on agriculture and rural living, with Maysville as its hub.
Dent County
Dent County, in the Ozark foothills, offers outdoor activities and natural beauty, with Salem as its county seat.
Douglas County
Douglas County is part of the scenic Ozarks, with Ava as its hub and a strong agricultural and cultural presence.
Dunklin County
Situated in the Bootheel, Dunklin County is a major farming center known for cotton and soybeans, with Kennett as its seat.
Franklin County
Located near St. Louis, Franklin County blends suburban growth with vineyards, river valleys, and Union as its county seat.
Gasconade County
Gasconade County, with Hermann as its seat, is famous for wineries, German heritage, and river landscapes.
Gentry County
A rural northwest county, Gentry County thrives on farming and community values, with Albany as its hub.
Greene County
Home to Springfield, Greene County is southwest Missouri’s cultural and economic center, known for universities and business growth.
Grundy County
Located in north-central Missouri, Grundy County is a small agricultural community with Trenton as its county seat.
Harrison County
Harrison County lies near the Iowa border, with Bethany as its hub, focusing on farming and rural traditions.
Henry County
Henry County, with Clinton as its seat, blends agriculture with outdoor activities near Truman Lake.
Hickory County
This small Ozark county is known for lakeside recreation, with Hermitage as its quiet county seat.
Holt County
At Missouri’s northwest edge, Holt County features Missouri River farmland and Mound City as its center.
Howard County
Known as the “Mother of Counties,” Howard County has Fayette as its seat and a deep agricultural heritage.
Howell County
Located in southern Missouri, Howell County is anchored by West Plains, blending farming with Ozark culture.
Iron County
Rich in mineral history, Iron County in southeast Missouri features rugged landscapes, with Ironton as its seat.
Jackson County
Jackson County is part of the Kansas City metro, home to Independence and vibrant urban communities.
Jasper County
Centered on Joplin, Jasper County is an industrial and cultural hub in southwest Missouri.
Jefferson County
Just south of St. Louis, Jefferson County combines suburban life with scenic hills and historic sites.
Johnson County
Johnson County, with Warrensburg as its seat, is home to the University of Central Missouri and military history.
Knox County
A small northeast county, Knox centers on farming and community life, with Edina as its quiet county seat.
Laclede County
Located in south-central Missouri, Laclede County is anchored by Lebanon and is known for Route 66 history and Ozark culture.
Lafayette County
Lafayette County lies east of Kansas City, with Lexington as its historic seat, known for Civil War history and farming.
Lawrence County
In southwest Missouri, Lawrence County is centered on Mount Vernon, blending agriculture with small-town traditions.
Lewis County
A northeast Missouri county along the Mississippi River, Lewis County is anchored by Monticello and historic river towns.
Lincoln County
Part of the growing St. Louis metro, Lincoln County has Troy as its seat and combines rural life with suburban expansion.
Linn County
Linn County in north-central Missouri is an agricultural community, with Brookfield and Marceline known for railroad and Disney history.
Livingston County
Livingston County, with Chillicothe as its seat, is historically known as the birthplace of sliced bread.
Macon County
Macon County, in north Missouri, blends farming with small industry, with Macon as its hub.
Madison County
Located in southeast Missouri, Madison County features rugged terrain and Fredericktown as its seat.
Maries County
Maries County is a quiet central Missouri county, with Vienna as its seat and a focus on rural traditions.
Marion County
Home to Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, Marion County thrives on tourism and river commerce.
McDonald County
Missouri’s southwestern corner, McDonald County features Pineville as its seat and scenic Ozark landscapes.
Mercer County
Mercer County, near the Iowa border, is one of Missouri’s smallest by population, with Princeton as its seat.
Miller County
Miller County is near the Lake of the Ozarks, known for recreation and tourism, with Tuscumbia as its seat.
Mississippi County
Located in the Bootheel along the Mississippi River, Charleston serves as this county’s center of farming and commerce.
Moniteau County
Moniteau County, with California as its seat, is a central Missouri county focused on farming and small business.
Monroe County
Monroe County, with Paris as its seat, lies near Mark Twain Lake and blends farming with tourism.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County in central Missouri features wineries, agriculture, and Montgomery City as its seat.
Morgan County
Situated in the Lake of the Ozarks region, Morgan County thrives on tourism and farming, with Versailles as its seat.
New Madrid County
New Madrid County in the Bootheel is known for agriculture and history, including the great New Madrid earthquakes.
Newton County
Newton County, with Neosho as its seat, is part of southwest Missouri’s economic and cultural region near Joplin.
Nodaway County
Located in northwest Missouri, Nodaway County is home to Maryville and Northwest Missouri State University.
Oregon County
In southern Missouri, Oregon County is known for the Eleven Point River and scenic Ozark landscapes, with Alton as its seat.
Osage County
Located in central Missouri, Osage County has Linn as its seat and is known for rolling hills and farming.
Ozark County
Ozark County, with Gainesville as its seat, offers rugged beauty, lakes, and a quiet rural lifestyle.
Pemiscot County
Pemiscot County lies in the Bootheel, with Caruthersville as its seat, and is known for rich delta farmland.
Perry County
Perry County, on the Mississippi River, features German heritage, historic churches, and Perryville as its hub.
Pettis County
Pettis County is centered on Sedalia, home to the Missouri State Fair and a hub for commerce and culture.
Phelps County
Home to Rolla and Missouri S&T University, Phelps County blends education, industry, and Ozark landscapes.
Pike County
Pike County, with Bowling Green as its seat, lies along the Mississippi River and is rich in farming and heritage.
Platte County
Part of the Kansas City metro, Platte County includes the airport and Parkville, with Platte City as its seat.
Polk County
Polk County, anchored by Bolivar, combines farming traditions with cultural heritage in southwest Missouri.
Pulaski County
Pulaski County is home to Fort Leonard Wood, blending military presence with tourism in Waynesville.
Putnam County
A small north Missouri county, Putnam centers on Unionville and maintains a strong farming economy.
Ralls County
Located along the Mississippi River, Ralls County has New London as its seat and close ties to Hannibal.
Randolph County
Randolph County, with Moberly as its hub, is known as the “Magic City” for its historic railroad growth.
Ray County
Ray County in western Missouri is known for farming and Civil War history, with Richmond as its seat.
Reynolds County
Reynolds County in the Ozarks features rugged landscapes, Clearwater Lake, and Ellington as its county seat.
Ripley County
Ripley County, anchored by Doniphan, is a heavily forested Ozark county with outdoor recreation opportunities.
St. Charles County
One of Missouri’s fastest-growing counties, St. Charles is rich in commerce, history, and suburban development.
St. Clair County
St. Clair County in western Missouri blends rural traditions with Truman Lake tourism, with Osceola as its seat.
Ste. Genevieve County
Missouri’s oldest European settlement, Ste. Genevieve County is famous for French heritage and historic architecture.
St. Francois County
Located in southeast Missouri, St. Francois County blends mining history, industry, and culture in Farmington.
St. Louis County
The most populous county in Missouri, St. Louis County surrounds the city of St. Louis and is a cultural and economic powerhouse.
St. Louis (Independent City)
St. Louis is Missouri’s independent city, known for the Gateway Arch, vibrant culture, and historic role along the Mississippi River.
Saline County
Saline County in central Missouri is anchored by Marshall and is known for rich farmland and historic communities.
Schuyler County
Located on the Iowa border, Schuyler County is one of Missouri’s smallest, with Lancaster as its quiet county seat.
Scotland County
Scotland County in northeast Missouri centers on Memphis, offering a small-town rural lifestyle and farming heritage.
Scott County
Scott County, with Benton as its seat, lies in southeast Missouri and thrives on agriculture and river commerce.
Shannon County
Shannon County in the Ozarks is known for the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, drawing visitors for outdoor adventures.
Shelby County
Shelby County, with Shelbyville as its seat, is a small north Missouri county rooted in farming and community traditions.
Stoddard County
Stoddard County, with Bloomfield as its hub, is located in southeast Missouri and focuses on agriculture and local heritage.
Stone County
Stone County, near Branson and Table Rock Lake, thrives on tourism, with Galena as its county seat.
Sullivan County
Located in north-central Missouri, Sullivan County is an agricultural community with Milan as its seat.
Taney County
Taney County is home to Branson, a nationally known entertainment destination in the Ozarks.
Texas County
The largest county in Missouri by land area, Texas County is known for forests, farming, and Houston as its seat.
Vernon County
Vernon County, with Nevada as its hub, blends farming with history, including Civil War heritage.
Warren County
Warren County, west of St. Louis, is a growing area with wineries, agriculture, and Warrenton as its seat.
Washington County
Washington County is rich in mining history, with Potosi as its seat, surrounded by Ozark landscapes.
Wayne County
Wayne County features rugged terrain, Clearwater Lake, and Greenville as its central community.
Webster County
Located near Springfield, Webster County is a growing mix of agriculture and suburban expansion, with Marshfield as its seat.
Worth County
The smallest county by population, Worth County lies in northwest Missouri, with Grant City as its quiet seat.
Wright County
Wright County in southern Missouri is anchored by Hartville and thrives on farming and Ozark traditions.
Conclusion
The list of Missouri counties highlights the state’s incredible diversity, from urban centers like St. Louis County to rural farming regions in the north and scenic Ozark landscapes in the south. Each county carries its own story, shaped by history, geography, and community. Together, they form the backbone of Missouri’s culture, economy, and identity, making them essential to understanding the state as a whole.
FAQs
How many counties are in Missouri?
Missouri has 114 counties plus one independent city, St. Louis.
Which county is the largest by area?
Texas County is the largest, covering more than 1,100 square miles.
Which county has the highest population?
St. Louis County is the most populated, with over one million residents.
What is the oldest county in Missouri?
St. Charles County, created in 1812, is the state’s oldest county.
Why is St. Louis an independent city?
St. Louis separated from St. Louis County in 1876 and has since functioned as its own jurisdiction.
