Clark County is a county in Missouri, United States, at the state’s far northeastern corner where it meets both Iowa and Illinois. It had a population of 6,634 at the 2020 census and covers 512 square miles (1,328 km2) centred near 40°25′N 91°44′W.
Kahoka is the county seat, and its postal code is 63445. The county has five incorporated cities, one village, and more than a dozen unincorporated communities. Clark County observes Central time and carries FIPS code 29045.
Towns & Villages in Clark County
Clark County contains five incorporated cities (including the county seat), one incorporated village, and roughly a dozen unincorporated communities and rural crossroads settlements. Places marked “Unincorp.” below have no city or village government of their own; those with a “—” in the Pop. column have no separately tabulated 2020 census count.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahoka | City · seat | — | 63445 |
| Alexandria | City | — | 63430 |
| Revere | City | — | 63465 |
| Wayland | City | — | 63472 |
| Wyaconda | City | — | 63474 |
| Luray | Village | — | 63453 |
| Athens | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Medill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Saint Francisville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Saint Patrick | Unincorp. | — | 63466 |
| Acasto | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Anson | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Antioch | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ashton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Chambersburg | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Clark City | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dumas | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eldorado | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fairmont | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Gregory Landing | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Neeper | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Peaksville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Union | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Waterloo | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Winchester | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 63445 — Kahoka (also serves most of the surrounding rural county)
- 63430 — Alexandria
- 63465 — Revere
- 63472 — Wayland
- 63474 — Wyaconda
- 63453 — Luray
- 63466 — Saint Patrick (post office box service only)
Smaller unincorporated communities such as Athens, Medill and Saint Francisville use the ZIP code of whichever incorporated town’s post office is closest, rather than having a ZIP code of their own.
Geography
Clark County occupies Missouri’s far northeastern corner, where the Des Moines River flows into the Mississippi at the historic river town of Athens. Rolling farmland covers most of the county’s uplands, giving way to river-bottom terrain along its northern and eastern edges. Of the county’s 512 square miles, 505 are land and about 7 square miles are water, mostly the Mississippi and Des Moines river channels.
Clark County borders Van Buren County, Iowa to the north; Lee County, Iowa to the northeast; Hancock County, Illinois to the east across the Mississippi River; Lewis County to the south; Knox County to the southwest; and Scotland County to the west.
Demographics
Clark County counted 6,634 residents at the 2020 census, giving it a density of roughly 13 people per square mile of land — well below Missouri’s statewide average. Kahoka, the county seat, is the largest community, followed by Alexandria and Wayland along the Mississippi River. The county’s median household income trails the Missouri median of $68,545, consistent with most rural counties in this part of the state.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives Clark County’s economy, with corn, soybeans and livestock the dominant enterprises across its bottomland and upland farms. Kahoka serves as the county’s government and retail center, home to the Clark County R-I School District and the county courthouse. The confluence of the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers near Athens draws visitors to the Battle of Athens State Historic Site, the county’s best-known attraction.
History
Clark County was organized on December 16, 1836, and named for William Clark, leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and later governor of Missouri Territory. On August 5, 1861, Union and Confederate-aligned forces fought the Battle of Athens near the Des Moines River — the northernmost Civil War battle fought on Missouri soil. The battlefield is preserved today as Battle of Athens State Historic Site.
Getting There
US Route 61 runs north–south through Kahoka, connecting the county to Keokuk, Iowa, and the rest of northeastern Missouri. Missouri Route 27 and Route 81 provide the main east–west and secondary connections between the county’s towns.
- Keokuk, Iowa — about 15 miles north
- Quincy, Illinois — about 35 miles southeast
- Kirksville, Missouri — about 60 miles southwest
- Hannibal, Missouri — about 50 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Quincy Regional Airport in Quincy, Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clark County, Missouri?
It sits at Missouri’s far northeastern corner, bordering both Iowa and Illinois where the Des Moines River joins the Mississippi.
What is the population of Clark County?
6,634 residents, according to the 2020 census.
How big is Clark County?
512 square miles (1,328 km2), of which 505 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Clark County?
Kahoka is the county seat.
How many towns are in Clark County?
Five incorporated cities (Kahoka, Alexandria, Revere, Wayland and Wyaconda), one village (Luray), and more than a dozen unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Clark County?
63445 (Kahoka), 63430 (Alexandria), 63465 (Revere), 63472 (Wayland), 63474 (Wyaconda), 63453 (Luray) and 63466 (Saint Patrick).
What happened at the Battle of Athens?
Fought August 5, 1861, near the Des Moines River, it was the northernmost Civil War battle fought on Missouri soil; the site is preserved as a state historic site today.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Missouri.