Hickory County's total population has varied between about 4000 and just under 10,000 (9,985 in 1900) since 1860, 15 years after the county was formed. The Census Bureau's 2003 estimated population of the county is 9005 people, an increase of 65 people over the 2000 census count. I think it's safe to assume that the age mix and geographic distribution of the population has changed a great deal over this time period, with a lot of young singles and families migrating out of the area beginning in the early 1900s and retirees and older couples moving back to the county in the last twenty years, since the creation of Lake Pomme de Terre. I am looking for data to document these changes. If you know of a source, please email me.