How many counties are there in Missouri?

Missouri is divided into 114 counties and the independent city of St. Louis, which is treated as a county for certain governmental functions. This structure of governance allows for local administration across various regions of the state, making it easier to manage resources and provide services to residents. The number of counties reflects the state's efforts to balance population distribution, economic needs, and geographic considerations effectively.

Understanding the count of counties is important as it relates to representation, local governance, and resource allocation within the state. The figures presented in other choices do not correctly represent the current administrative divisions of Missouri, as they either underestimate or overestimate the actual number of counties.