Mound City was originally called North Point, and under the latter name was platted in 1857.

[6] A post office called North Point was established in 1855, and the name was changed to Mound City in 1871.

[7] Mound City is located in the northwest corner of Missouri at the southern end of the Loess Hills.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.29 square miles (3.34 km2), all land.

[8] Mound City is located in what was, in the early 19th century, considered to be unorganized Missouri Territory.

In 1836, leaders of the Iowa, Sauk and Meskwaki peoples sold land that included what would become Mound City, as part of the 3,149 square miles (2,015,000 acres; 8,160 km2) of the Platte Purchase.

Since spring snow geese migration numbers first topped one million in March 2008, Mound City and the surrounding area have benefited from the nearly 300,000 visitors they have attracted, including thousands of hunters who hunt in the stubble of corn fields that surround the refuge.

[9] The refuge is estimated to add about $2.6 million to the economies of Holt and Buchanan counties.

34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.