Hickory

Formed February 14, 1845 (82^nd county)

Hickory County (8,277), Hermitage (618)

A red brick Colonial facility was built in 1896 and is on a square surrounded by Polk, Spring, Dallas, and Jackson streets.  Missouri State Highway 54 is two blocks to the north of the courthouse.  The courthouse features a small tower and a gazebo.  There were 1847 and 1860 courthouses earlier both in Hermitage, the only county seat.  The architect for the building is unknown.  The county was established on February 14, 1845 from parts of Benton and Polk counties as the 82^nd county.  The county’s name comes from “Old Hickory,” United States President Andrew Jackson.  He is also the namesake of Jackson County and the county seat of Cape Girardeau County.  The county seat is named for the estate of Andrew Jackson.  Hickory County was the birthplace of 1 Missouri Governor, Michael L. Parson.    

Hickory County government consists of a sheriff, an administrator, an attorney, a collector, a coroner, an assessor and a clerk (executive).  It has 3 Commissioners (legislative.)  One Circuit Court Judge serves Hickory, Benton, Dallas, Polk, Webster counties and One County Court Judge and a court clerk serve Hickory County (judicial.) Hickory County is in western Missouri.  Kansas City, Missouri is northwest and Springfield, Missouri is southwest of the county.  The county center is 2.1 miles South-Southwest of Hermitage.  Hickory County was the birthplace for 1 Missouri Governor, Michael L. Parson.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Benton, Camden, Dallas, Polk, and Saint Clair counties. 

The area of the county is 399 square miles.  It is 110 out of 115 in the state.  It ranks 97 out of 115 in population in the state.  It has a density of 20.7 persons per square mile making it 78 out of 115 in the state.  Hickory County has 18.7% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 54 crosses the county east to west from Camden County to St. Clair County.  United States Highway 65 travels north to south from Benton County to Dallas County.  The county is a lazy capital letter S.  Hermitage is located near the center of the county.  Hermitage is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 7.5% of the county population.