Total population (1990 census): 20844
County seat: Independence
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 859 | 156792 | 20690445 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 9 | 155 | 8873 bu | |
| Barley | 6 | 30 | 1530 bu | |
| Oats | 236 | 3731 | 256636 bu | |
| Popcorn | 3 | 3 | 8600 lbs, shelled | |
| Rye | 3 | 19 | 465 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 783 | 112669 | 5297869 bu | |
| Dry Edible Beans | 3 | 230 | 4386 cwt | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 459 | 11177 | 30585 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 395 | 8130 | 24229 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 61 | 834 | 1974 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 58 | 1383 | 2768 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 14 | 146 | 180 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 32 | 684 | 4307 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 143 | 3228 | 60888 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Asparagus | 4 | D | ||
| Cantaloupes | 4 | 4 | ||
| Cucumbers & Pickles | 3 | D | ||
| Potatoes | 4 | D | 450 bu | |
| Pumpkins | 4 | 12 | ||
| Squash | 3 | D | ||
| Sweet Corn | 7 | D | ||
| Tomatoes | 5 | 4 | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Strawberries | 5 | 3 | 10900 lbs | |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops, Cut Christmas Trees Harvested, Mushrooms, and Sod Grown for Sale | Farms | Sq. ft. under glass or other protection | Acres in the open | Sales ($1,000) |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 6 | D | 17 | 15 |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 4 | X | 1 | D |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.