Iron County is located in the lead belt region of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 10,630. The largest city and County seat is Ironton. Iron County was officially organized on February 17, 1857 and was named after the abundance of iron ore found within its borders.

Iron County includes Pilot Knob, Ironton, and Arcadia, which encompasses Arcadia Valley. These are communities established by immigrants in the 19th century. The Valley is surrounded by the Saint Francois Mountains of the Ozarks Plateau. Iron County is also home to dozens of mountains, including the 1,772-foot Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri.

The County is home to a number of State Parks and historical sites including Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park and Fort Davidson State Historic site as well as 96,047 acres of Mark Twain National Forest.