Total population (1996 census): 142031
County seat: Independence
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 27 | 243 | 19745 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 3 | D | D | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 295 | 8325 | 14833 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 98 | 1448 | 2935 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 10 | 171 | 311 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 195 | 5372 | 9725 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 60 | 1250 | 1744 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 6 | 84 | 354 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 12 | 158 | 1752 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Snap Bean | 3 | D | ||
| Sweet Corn | 3 | D | ||
| Tomatoes | 3 | D | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 6 | 42 | D | |
| Peaches | 3 | D | D | |
| 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 | 12 | 47800 | 128 | 325 |
| Florculture Crops | 5 | 26600 | D | 109 |
| Bedding/Garden Plants | 5 | 9600 | D | 24 |
| Foliage Plants | 3 | D | D | D |
| Nursery Crops | 5 | D | D | D |
| Other Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 3 | D | D | 3 |
| Herb, Spice, Medicinal, Bioactive... | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Tobacco | 233 | 842 | 1597333 lbs | |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.