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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Carter County

Missouri · 5,202 residents · 507.359 sq mi
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The short version

Carter County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,403. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $135,800. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 26% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 80%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,202
−12%since 2000
from 5,941 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
10 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 12 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
46.0
+18%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K6K1990201020202024Carter County
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,403
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,863 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,382
+75%since 2000
from $13,349 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.3%
+16.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.5%
−6.7 ptssince 2000
from 25.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.8%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade8.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Information7.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Other services1%
US avg: 6.6%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$135,800
+80%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$566
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $303 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.0%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
28.0% rent
Afford Score
3.2
+46%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carter County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(5,685)
Black0.1%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(72)
Asian0.1%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.5%(206)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.2%(4,794)
Black0.2%(11)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(97)
Asian0.3%(18)
Other0.7%(37)
Diversity Score8%(417)
Segregation Score39.6%(2,061)
Diversity Score
8
+131%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
40
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.2%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.2%
+19.6 ptssince 2000
from 66.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.5 min
+54%since 2000
from 19.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
72.8%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.2%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 8.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2011
from 53.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.9%
−33.4 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
18.0%
−65.0 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Carter County

Bent County
Pop 5,716
Crowley County
Pop 5,677
Calhoun County
Pop 5,413
Woodruff County
Pop 5,710
Places similar to Carter County
Head to head

Compare Carter County to nearby counties

CARTER COUNTY VS
Ripley County
Income$42,037−1%
Home value$119,600−12%
Population10,717+98%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARTER COUNTY VS
Shannon County
Income$55,222+30%
Home value$157,500+16%
Population7,285+34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARTER COUNTY VS
Reynolds County
Income$45,028+6%
Home value$151,700+12%
Population5,992+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CARTER COUNTY VS
Wayne County
Income$47,226+11%
Home value$107,400−21%
Population10,782+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Carter County, Missouri?

Carter County, Missouri has about 5,202 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Carter County, Missouri?

The typical household in Carter County, Missouri earns about $42,403 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Carter County, Missouri expensive?

In Carter County, Missouri, the median home is worth about $135,800, and the typical rent is about $566 a month.

How educated are people in Carter County, Missouri?

About 15.2% of adults age 25 and over in Carter County, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Carter County, Missouri?

About 18.5% of people in Carter County, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Carter County, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Carter County, Missouri has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 313 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

2 census tracts
Census Tract 9601Census Tract 9602
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 63937ZIP 63965ZIP 63943ZIP 63941
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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