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CITY · 2010 ACS

West Plains

Missouri · 11,986 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 $31,800. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $96,000. The poverty rate of 27.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 31% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.7
US median: 37.2
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
11,986
+10%since 2000
from 10,866 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
901 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 817 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.7
−4%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024West Plains
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,800
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,122 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,396
+16%since 2000
from $15,019 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
13.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
27.5%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.426
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade19.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Information12.4%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services6.3%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 3.1%
Construction2.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$96,000
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,600 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$552
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $356 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
32.6%
−28.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.3% in 2000
46.4% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
22.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 28.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.4%
+5.5 ptssince 2009
from 42.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.0
+8%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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%
Diversity Score7.7%(832)
2010
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(11,239)
Black0.8%(100)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(265)
Asian0.8%(101)
Other2.6%(312)
Diversity Score15.5%(1,858)
Diversity Score
15
+102%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.8%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
84.3%
+10.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
8.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.3 min
+24%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
83.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
12.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.6%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.5%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
11.5%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
13.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.5%
−34.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Female
55.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.7%
−32.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to West Plains

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Pop 11,939
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Pop 13,576
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Pop 9,299
Homosassa Springs
Pop 15,701
Places similar to West Plains
Head to head

Compare West Plains to nearby cities

WEST PLAINS VS
Mountain Home
Income$41,274+30%
Home value$169,800+77%
Population13,373+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Batesville
Income$51,856+63%
Home value$163,600+70%
Population11,860−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Marshfield
Income$67,642+113%
Home value$204,700+113%
Population8,078−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Fort Leonard Wood
Income$67,772+113%
Home value$65,000−32%
Population15,432+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Plains, Missouri?

West Plains, Missouri has about 11,986 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Plains, Missouri earns about $31,800 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 $96,000, and the typical rent is about $552 a month.

How educated are people in West Plains, Missouri?

About 17.8% 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 27.5% of people in West Plains, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Plains, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, West Plains, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,073 residents, a change of about 34 percent over that period.

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

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