Hickory County is a county in Missouri, United States, in the west-central Ozarks between the Pomme de Terre and Little Niangua rivers. It had a population of 8,279 at the 2020 census and covers 399 square miles (1,030 km2) of land centred near 37°56′N 93°19′W, with another 13 square miles (34 km2) of water in Pomme de Terre Lake and Truman Lake.
Hermitage is the county seat, and its postal code is 65668. The county has five incorporated cities and towns and several unincorporated communities. It sits in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Hickory County
Hickory County has five incorporated municipalities and a dozen unincorporated communities and rural crossroads. In the table below, “Unincorp.” marks a place with no city government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermitage | City · seat | — | 65668 |
| Wheatland | City | — | 65779 |
| Weaubleau | Village | — | 65774 |
| Cross Timbers | Village | — | 65634 |
| Preston | Village | — | 65732 |
| Pittsburg | Unincorp. | — | 65724 |
| Quincy | Unincorp. | 212 | 65735 |
| Jordan | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Nemo | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Elkton | Unincorp. | — | — |
| White Cloud | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Avery | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Almon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Butcher | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Carsons Corner | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Galmey | Unincorp. | — | — |
Wheatland, Weaubleau, Cross Timbers and Preston are all incorporated villages or cities inside Hickory County; none straddles a county line here. Almon, Butcher, Carsons Corner and Galmey are older rural place names carried from the county’s historical gazetteer — they have no current post office or population count on record, but the crossroads still appear on county maps.
ZIP Codes
- 65668 — Hermitage (also serves Jordan and Nemo)
- 65779 — Wheatland
- 65774 — Weaubleau (also serves White Cloud)
- 65634 — Cross Timbers (also serves Almon and Galmey)
- 65732 — Preston
- 65724 — Pittsburg
- 65735 — Quincy
Butcher and Carsons Corner have no dedicated ZIP code on record and are served by the nearest listed post office town.
Geography
Hickory County lies in the west-central Missouri Ozarks, a landscape of rolling hills, oak-hickory woodland and pasture cut by the Pomme de Terre River and the Little Niangua River. Pomme de Terre Lake, impounded behind a dam about three miles south of Hermitage, and the northern arm of Truman Lake both reach into the county and support the local boating and fishing economy. Land use is a mix of cattle pasture, timber and the two reservoirs’ shorelines.
Hickory County borders Benton County to the north, Camden County to the east, Dallas County to the southeast, Polk County to the south, and St. Clair County to the west.
Demographics
The county’s population was 8,279 at the 2020 census, making it one of Missouri’s smaller counties by population as well as its fifth-smallest by land area. Hermitage and Wheatland are the two largest incorporated places. Hickory County’s median household income runs well below the Missouri median of $68,545, reflecting a rural, retirement- and tourism-influenced economy. Population density is roughly 21 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Tourism and outdoor recreation around Pomme de Terre Lake and Truman Lake drive much of the local economy, with marinas, campgrounds and vacation-home development along both shorelines. Cattle ranching and hay production remain the backbone of the rural economy away from the lakes, and Hermitage serves as the county’s retail and government center.
History
Hickory County was organized on February 14, 1845, and named for President Andrew Jackson, whose nickname was “Old Hickory.” Hermitage, the county seat, takes its own name from Jackson’s Tennessee plantation. The county’s rural character changed markedly in the mid-20th century with the construction of the Pomme de Terre and Truman dams, which flooded farmland but created the lakes that now anchor much of the local economy.
Getting There
U.S. Routes 54 and 65 cross the county, along with Missouri Routes 64, 64B, 83 and 123.
- Bolivar — about 20 miles south
- Warsaw — about 20 miles north
- Camdenton — about 25 miles east
- Springfield — about 50 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), roughly an hour’s drive south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hickory County, Missouri?
It is in the west-central Ozarks of Missouri, between Springfield and Truman Lake.
What is the population of Hickory County?
8,279 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Hickory County?
399 square miles (1,030 km2) of land, plus 13 square miles (34 km2) of water — Missouri’s fifth-smallest county by land area.
What is the county seat of Hickory County?
Hermitage.
How many towns are in Hickory County?
Five incorporated municipalities — Hermitage, Wheatland, Weaubleau, Cross Timbers and Preston — plus about a dozen unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Hickory County?
65668 (Hermitage), 65779 (Wheatland), 65774 (Weaubleau), 65634 (Cross Timbers), 65732 (Preston), 65724 (Pittsburg) and 65735 (Quincy).
What lakes are in Hickory County?
Pomme de Terre Lake and the northern arm of Truman Lake, both popular for boating and fishing.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Missouri.