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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Plains

Missouri · 12,184 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 $37,154. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value is $95,400. The poverty rate of 32.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 35% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 6%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,184
+12%since 2000
from 10,866 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
916 / sq mi
+12%since 2000
from 817 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.3
+1%since 2000
from 38.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K10K11K12K13K1990201020202024West Plains
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,154
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $24,122 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,356
+42%since 2000
from $15,019 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
18.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
32.4%
+13.4 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade7.1%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$95,400
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$654
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $356 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.1%
−12.2 ptssince 2000
from 61.3% in 2000
50.9% rent
Afford Score
2.6
−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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic88.7%(10,812)
Black1%(126)
Hispanic / Latino3%(367)
Asian0.9%(114)
Other2%(245)
Diversity Score17.4%(2,118)
Diversity Score
17
+127%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.4%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.7%
+13.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.3%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.5 min
+34%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.2%
−4.4 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 55.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.4%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Female
53.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
17.7%
−70.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to West Plains

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Pop 11,939
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Pop 9,299
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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+11%
Home value$169,800+78%
Population13,373+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Batesville
Income$51,856+40%
Home value$163,600+71%
Population11,860−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Marshfield
Income$67,642+82%
Home value$204,700+115%
Population8,078−37%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Fort Leonard Wood
Income$67,772+82%
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 12,184 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Plains, Missouri earns about $37,154 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 $95,400, and the typical rent is about $654 a month.

How educated are people in West Plains, Missouri?

About 22.4% 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 32.4% 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 3,271 residents, a change of about 37 percent over that period.

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

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