Population 8,585 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Hickory County
Household size in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.13 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.27 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.36 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.27 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Hickory County run small, averaging 2.41 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.13, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.8 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 52.7 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 53.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 53.8 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.0 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Hickory County skews older: half of its residents are older than 53.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 52.8 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Hickory County has the oldest population of any Missouri county.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.0 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Hickory County: 5.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 2.0 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only three have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Hickory County
Renters in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.9% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 17.6% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Hickory County is largely a place of homeowners: only 17.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About six in ten owners (60.4%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 1.5 points, in line with the national trend.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.6% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.4% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 39.5% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.9% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Hickory County: 32.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1985 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Hickory County are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1985, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $451 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $603 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $621 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $657 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$205 | +$383 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Hickory County costs $657 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $205 a month since 2006–10, up 46%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.0% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the east; the most affordable are in the west.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Hickory County
Bachelor's degrees in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.1% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Hickory County: 13.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only ten have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.0% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.3% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in eight adults in Hickory County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 87.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 7.9 points, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Hickory County
| Period | Hickory County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.4% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.7% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Hickory County: 12.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Hickory County has the highest unemployment rate of any Missouri county. Unemployment is up 3.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Hickory County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory County | 2.41 | 53.8 | 5.1% | 17.6% | 32.9% | 1985 | $657 | 13.1% | 87.3% | 12.9% |
| St. Clair County | 2.35 | 44.2 | 9.0% | 24.0% | 22.5% | 1981 | $707 | 14.4% | 85.8% | 3.2% |
| Camden County | 2.49 | 51.0 | 6.4% | 17.5% | 48.4% | 1988 | $1,012 | 26.3% | 92.7% | 4.3% |
| Vernon County | 2.51 | 41.9 | 8.6% | 28.7% | 13.6% | 1975 | $751 | 16.2% | 88.6% | 4.2% |
| Pulaski County | 2.63 | 30.8 | 12.0% | 38.8% | 14.3% | 1992 | $1,098 | 25.5% | 94.6% | 4.7% |
| Bourbon County | 2.47 | 40.2 | 8.4% | 26.0% | 16.0% | 1961 | $763 | 24.2% | 90.7% | 4.8% |
| Phelps County | 2.50 | 37.6 | 12.3% | 38.3% | 14.9% | 1986 | $845 | 32.4% | 89.8% | 4.1% |
| Crawford County | 2.34 | 42.6 | 11.1% | 30.8% | 14.1% | 1983 | $826 | 14.8% | 86.6% | 5.2% |
| Allen County | 2.48 | 40.2 | 12.6% | 24.6% | 16.2% | 1965 | $651 | 23.5% | 94.6% | 8.0% |
| Woodson County | 2.44 | 47.7 | 6.8% | 15.4% | 30.4% | 1961 | $616 | 23.1% | 90.4% | 1.5% |
| Washington County | 2.60 | 40.8 | 11.3% | 21.6% | 16.1% | 1985 | $741 | 11.1% | 85.7% | 5.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Magoffin County, KY · Ontonagon County, MI · Mathews County, VA · Mason County, TX · Martin County, TX · Marion County, AR · Maries County, MO · Maricao Municipio, PR · Mahnomen County, MN · Ouray County, CO
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Hickory County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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