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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

West Plains

Missouri · 8,913 residents · 13.304 sq mi
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The short version

West Plains has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $15,243. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 1,953 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $37,800. With a median age of 38.4, the population is older than the US median of 33.0. Households here earn about 42% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Older
median age 38.4
US median: 33.0
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,913
−18%vs 2000
vs 10,866 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Median age
38.4
+1%vs 2000
vs 38.1 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024West Plains
202412K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 1990
Under 56.8%(606)
US avg: 7.3%
5 to 97%(626)
US avg: 7.3%
10 to 146.4%(573)
US avg: 6.9%
15 to 196%(532)
US avg: 7.1%
20 to 246.1%(545)
US avg: 7.5%
25 to 3413.9%(1,239)
US avg: 17.5%
35 to 4410.7%(958)
US avg: 15.1%
45 to 5410%(888)
US avg: 10.2%
55 to 649.2%(821)
US avg: 8.5%
65 to 7411.1%(985)
US avg: 7.3%
75 to 849.5%(851)
US avg: 4%
85 and over3.2%(289)
US avg: 1.2%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$15,243
−17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $24,122 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$8,890
−41%vs 2000
vs $15,019 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
28.8%
+9.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 19.0% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$37,800
−26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $67,600 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$258
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $356 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
61.6%
+0.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 61.3% in 2000
38.4% rent
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Plains on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.8%(10,304)
Black0.7%(79)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(179)
Asian0.7%(75)
Other0%
1990
White, non-Hispanic98.7%(8,793)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(59)
Asian0.1%(12)
Other1.2%(108)

No data for the years selected.

Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Detailed origin tables are available for 2024; showing 2024 data.

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.1%(15)
Argentine0.1%(15)
Asian origin
Vietnamese0.4%(48)
Filipino0.1%(12)
Chinese0.1%(8)
Pacific Islander origin
Samoan0.2%(22)
Ancestry
English13.8%(1,711)
Irish13.2%(1,639)
German13%(1,618)
American8.6%(1,067)
French2.3%(285)
Italian1.2%(152)
Scottish1%(127)
Scotch-Irish0.9%(106)
Polish0.8%(102)
Armenian0.6%(74)
Swedish0.5%(60)
Dutch0.4%(51)
+ 13 more ancestry groups with data
Norwegian0.4%(46)
Welsh0.4%(44)
Portuguese0.1%(15)
Hungarian0.1%(13)
Lithuanian0.1%(13)
British0.1%(12)
Finnish0.1%(11)
Austrian0.1%(9)
Russian0.1%(9)
Swiss0%(2)
RANKED:Largest English population · Largest Irish population · Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest French population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.8%
−3.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 13.4% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
58.2%
−15.8 ptsvs 2000
vs 74.0% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
3.2%
−2.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 5.8% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.5 min
+8%vs 2000
vs 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Marital status (2024)
Men 15+
Never married36.4%(1,592)
Married45.7%(2,001)
Widowed4.9%(215)
Divorced13%(568)
Women 15+
Never married27.8%(1,537)
Married40.8%(2,254)
Widowed15.2%(840)
Divorced16.2%(896)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Drill deeper

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Compare West Plains to nearby cities

WEST PLAINS VS
Mountain Home
Income$41,274+171%
Home value$169,800+349%
Population13,373+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Batesville
Income$51,856+240%
Home value$163,600+333%
Population11,860−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Marshfield
Income$67,642+344%
Home value$204,700+442%
Population8,078−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Fort Leonard Wood
Income$67,772+345%
Home value$65,000+72%
Population15,432+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Plains, Missouri?

West Plains, Missouri has about 8,913 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in West Plains, Missouri?

The typical household in West Plains, Missouri earns about $15,243 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Plains, Missouri expensive?

In West Plains, Missouri, the median home is worth about $37,800, and the typical rent is about $258 a month.

How educated are people in West Plains, Missouri?

About 9.8% of adults age 25 and over in West Plains, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Plains, Missouri?

About 28.8% of people in West Plains, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →