Missouri: elevation, cities and highest point
Missouri has 6,270,541 people (2025) and 115 counties. Its highest point is Taum Sauk Mountain, at 1,772 ft, and its lowest, the Saint Francis River, at 230 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 6,270,541
- The 18th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 68,746 sq mi
- The 18th largest state
- Counties
- 115
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 230 ft
- Saint Francis River
Map of Missouri’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Jefferson City, sits at 630 ft (192 m): the 21st highest of the 50 state capitals. Missouri’s highest point, Taum Sauk Mountain, is 105 mi away in a straight line and 1,142 ft higher.
Between its highest point (1,772 ft) and its lowest (230 ft) there’s 1,542 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Missouri’s is the 41st highest.
Missouri has 3 cities with a page. The highest is Kansas City, at 898 ft, and the lowest is St. Louis, at 464 ft: 434 ft apart.
Missouri borders 8 states. Their highest points are Charles Mound, in Illinois (1,235 ft), Mount Sunflower, in Kansas (4,039 ft), Hawkeye Point, in Iowa (1,670 ft), Panorama Point, in Nebraska (5,424 ft), Magazine Mountain, in Arkansas (2,753 ft), Black Mesa, in Oklahoma (4,973 ft), Kuwohi, in Tennessee (6,643 ft), and Black Mountain, in Kentucky (4,145 ft): Missouri’s is the 7th highest of the 9. Their capitals: Springfield (600 ft), Topeka (948 ft), Des Moines (872 ft), Lincoln (1,202 ft), Little Rock (337 ft), Oklahoma City (1,196 ft), Nashville (555 ft), and Frankfort (504 ft).
- Taum Sauk Mountain 1,772 ft
- Kansas City 898 ft
- Jefferson City 630 ft
- St. Louis 464 ft
Population
Missouri had 6,270,541 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 1.9% more than in April 2020 (6,154,913). Across 68,746 sq mi of land, that’s 91 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Kansas City, with 521,220 people. The Census counts 1,081 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Missouri.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 521,220 | 315 sq mi | 898 ft |
| St. Louis | 278,144 | 61.7 sq mi | 464 ft |
| Springfield | 169,847 | 83.3 sq mi | — |
| Columbia | 130,851 | 67.8 sq mi | — |
| Independence | 121,675 | 78.0 sq mi | — |
| Lee's Summit | 107,514 | 63.9 sq mi | — |
| O'Fallon | 96,101 | 31.0 sq mi | — |
| St. Charles | 72,561 | 25.2 sq mi | — |
| St. Joseph | 71,001 | 44.0 sq mi | — |
| Blue Springs | 61,632 | 22.2 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Missouri?
Taum Sauk Mountain, at 1,772 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 41st highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Missouri?
The Saint Francis River, at 230 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Jefferson City, the capital?
630 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 21st highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Missouri?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Kansas City, at 898 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Missouri have?
115, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know