[4] The Missouri River flows southward along the county's west boundary line.

Swan Creek flows west-northwest through the county's SW corner, discharging into the Missouri.

The county's terrain consists of semi-arid rolling hills, carved by drainages and gullies.

[5] The terrain slopes to the south and east, although the western portion of the county drops westward into the Missouri River valley.

The county's highest point is on the eastern portion of its north boundary line, at 1,982 ft (604 m) ASL.

Only three Democratic presidential candidates have ever carried the county: William Jennings Bryan in 1896, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, and Lyndon Johnson in 1964.