List of counties in Missouri

List of counties in Missouri The U.S. state of Missouri is divided into 114 counties and one independent city, St. Louis, which functions as a county-equivalent. Counties serve as vital administrative divisions for local governance, providing services from law enforcement to property assessment. The most populous county is St. Louis County, while the largest by area is Texas County.

List of counties

The 114 counties and one independent city are listed alphabetically, typically including the county seat, year of creation, origin of the county name, and key population data. Notable counties include Jackson County, home to Kansas City and named for President Andrew Jackson; Greene County, containing Springfield and named for Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene; and Boone County, with its seat in Columbia and named for frontiersman Daniel Boone. Other significant counties are Clay County, named for statesman Henry Clay; Jasper County, named for Sergeant William Jasper; and St. Charles County, one of the original five counties. The independent city of St. Louis is governed separately from St. Louis County.

History of county creation

Missouri's county system originated during its territorial period, with the first five counties—St. Louis, St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid—established in 1812 by the Missouri Territory government. Many early counties were formed from these original divisions, often following major rivers like the Missouri River and Mississippi River. Subsequent creation was driven by population growth, particularly after statehood in 1821, the Platte Purchase, and the expansion of railroads. The last county, Worth County, was created in 1861 and named for General William J. Worth. Several counties, such as Lilbourn and Hempstead, were proposed or briefly existed but were later abolished or renamed.

County government

Missouri county government is primarily structured under the County commission system, as authorized by the Missouri Constitution. Most counties are governed by a three-member elected commission, often including a Presiding Commissioner. However, St. Louis County operates under a charter form with a County executive and council, while the City of St. Louis functions under a mayor–aldermanic system. Key elected officials in most counties include the Sheriff, Prosecuting attorney, Assessor, and Clerk. These governments are responsible for local services such as maintaining county roads, administering elections, operating the county jail, and managing property records.

Geography and demographics

Missouri counties exhibit diverse geography, from the northern Glacial till plains to the southern Ozarks and the eastern Mississippi Lowlands. Major waterways like the Missouri River, Mississippi River, and Osage River have historically defined county boundaries. Demographically, population is heavily concentrated in metropolitan counties such as St. Louis County, Jackson County (containing Kansas City), and Greene County (containing Springfield). In contrast, many rural counties in regions like the Bootheel have experienced population decline. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state's total population was approximately 6.1 million in 2020, with significant variation in density from urban St. Louis to sparsely populated counties like Worth County.

Fictional counties

Missouri counties have served as settings in numerous works of fiction, often reflecting the state's cultural heritage. Marvel Comics locations include Iron County, home to the CIA agent Dum Dum Dugan. In literature, Springfield County is the setting for parts of John Grisham's novel The Client, while Wright County appears in Daniel Woodrell's Winter's Bone. The television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was set in the fictional Hillsdale, often associated with a county-like jurisdiction. These fictional depictions contribute to the portrayal of Missouri in American popular culture.

* Missouri