The Licking R-8 School is located in the city of Licking, which has a population of 1,328.
Agriculture is important to the area as well as timber-related industries.
The largest employment opportunity is the Rawlings Manufacturing Plant. The School District, with a student population of approximately 900, is the second largest employer in the area. The Licking School District covers 191 square miles. It is a rural farm community with no large population centers. The closest public library with adequate resources is 45 miles away in Rolla.