Pike County, Missouri

Pike County
The Pike County Courthouse in Bowling Green
The Pike County Courthouse in Bowling Green
Map of Missouri highlighting Pike County
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Map of the United States highlighting Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°20′N 91°10′W / 39.34°N 91.17°W / 39.34; -91.17
Country United States
State Missouri
FoundedDecember 14, 1818
Named forZebulon M. Pike
SeatBowling Green
Largest cityBowling Green
Area
 • Total685 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Land670 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,587
 • Density26/sq mi (9.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.pikecountymo.net

Pike County is a county on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Missouri, bounded by the Mississippi River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,587.[1] Its county seat is Bowling Green.[2] Its namesake was a city in middle Kentucky, a region from where many early migrants came. The county was organized December 14, 1818, and named for explorer Zebulon Pike. The folksong "Sweet Betsy from Pike" is generally thought to be associated with Pike County, Missouri.[citation needed]

Pike County is said to be the home of Momo (The Missouri Monster). The first reported sightings in the 1970s were traced to various locations throughout the county.

  1. ^ "Pike County, Missouri". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.