Missouri County Map with Cities and Towns [MO, US]

A Guide to Missouri’s Counties

Welcome to Missouri, a state that serves as a crossroads of the nation, blending Midwestern prairies with Southern highlands. To truly understand its diverse geography and culture, one must first understand its foundational structure: its 114 counties and one independent city, St. Louis, which functions as a county-equivalent. This framework is the basis for local government, community identity, and historical record-keeping across the state.

From the bustling metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis to the rolling hills of the Ozarks, each county has a unique story. These counties are home to hundreds of municipalities, which are classified under Missouri law, generally by population:

• Villages: Typically municipalities with fewer than 500 residents.
• Fourth Class Cities: Generally those with a population between 500 and 2,999.
• Third Class Cities: Generally those with a population between 3,000 and 29,999.
• Charter Cities: Larger cities (like Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield) that operate under their own unique constitutional charter, allowing for more flexible governance.

This guide provides a comprehensive list of all 115 county-equivalents, their county seats (the center of local government), and a selection of the major cities and towns that define their character. Note: The “Major Cities & Towns” column is not exhaustive but highlights prominent populated places.

A Journey Through Missouri’s Regions

A county map is also a map of Missouri’s distinct geographic personalities. The state is dramatically split by the Missouri River, which creates its two best-known regions:

• Northern Plains (Dissected Till Plains): North of the river, you find the rolling hills and fertile farmland of the Dissected Till Plains. This is classic Midwest farm country, with counties like Adair, Nodaway, and Linn.
• The Ozark Plateau: South of the river, the landscape rises into the Ozark Plateau (or Ozark Highlands). This is a vast region of forests, springs, caves, and rugged hills, covering much of southern Missouri, including counties like Texas, Shannon, and Taney (home to Branson).

Other key regions include:

• The Osage Plains: A flat, prairie-like extension of Kansas covering western counties like Barton and Vernon.
• The Mississippi Lowlands (Bootheel): In the far southeastern corner, the “Bootheel” is a flat, alluvial plain, culturally and geographically more like the Mississippi Delta. It is the state’s primary cotton-growing region, in counties such as Pemiscot and Dunklin.
• The Alluvial River Plain: The flat, fertile floodplains bordering the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, which are home to the state’s largest urban centers, including St. Louis, Kansas City, and the capital, Jefferson City.

Why the County Map is Your Most Valuable Tool

Understanding this map is the key to unlocking Missouri. All vital records, public services, and legal matters are handled at the county level.

For genealogists and historians, the county courthouse is the primary source. Marriage licenses, land deeds, court records, and birth/death certificates are all filed in the county where the event occurred. The historic boundaries of counties like Cape Girardeau and St. Louis, two of the state’s original five, tell the story of Missouri’s westward expansion.

For travelers and residents, the map is a guide to local culture. It helps you navigate from the wineries in Gasconade County, to the history in Marion County (Hannibal), to the outdoor recreation in the Ozark counties, and to the major economic hubs of St. Louis, Jackson, and Greene counties.

Sources

To ensure the most accurate and in-depth information, we recommend these official government and university resources for your research:

1. Missouri Census Data Center (MCDC): Operated by the University of Missouri, this is a primary source for detailed population, housing, and economic data for every county and city.https://mcdc.missouri.edu/
2. Missouri Secretary of State – County Classifications: This page details the official legal classifications for all 114 Missouri counties.https://www.sos.mo.gov/BlueBook/2021-2022/8_Counties.pdf (Note: Link may update with new “Blue Book” editions)
3. University of Missouri Extension – County Offices: A practical directory of all county extension offices, which are hubs for local agricultural, community, and economic information.https://extension.missouri.edu/locations
4. U.S. Census Bureau – Missouri QuickFacts: The definitive source for high-level demographic and economic statistics, easily comparable by county.https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/MO/PST045223