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COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

McDonald County

Missouri · 16,938 residents · 539.445 sq mi
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The short version

McDonald County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $17,312. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 4,743 residents. 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $31,400. Households here earn about 34% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Mid-age
median age 34.0
US median: 33.0
Less educated
7% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,938
−22%vs 2000
vs 21,681 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
31 / sq mi
−22%vs 2000
vs 40 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
Median age
34.0
−1%vs 2000
vs 34.3 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K18K20K22K24K1990201020202024McDonald County
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$17,312
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $27,010 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$8,409
−36%vs 2000
vs $13,175 in 2000
US average: $14,340
Poverty rate
20.6%
−0.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 20.7% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$31,400
−29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $58,100 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$239
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $382 in 2000
US average: $450
Owner-occupied
75.6%
+4.2 ptsvs 2000
vs 71.4% in 2000
24.4% rent
Afford Score
1.8
−16%vs 2000
vs 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in McDonald County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic84.6%(18,348)
Black0.2%(33)
Hispanic / Latino9.4%(2,030)
Asian0.1%(27)
Other0%
Diversity Score23%(4,992)
1990
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(16,195)
Black0.1%(12)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(92)
Asian0.1%(13)
Other4.2%(718)
Diversity Score11.7%(1,987)
Diversity Score
12
−49%vs 2000
vs 23 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.6%
−0.4 ptsvs 2000
vs 7.0% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
61.1%
−8.3 ptsvs 2000
vs 69.4% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
Graduate degree
2.5%
+0.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 2.0% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+40%vs 2000
vs 19.4 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.

Drill deeper

Places similar to McDonald County

Randolph County
Pop 23,163
Burke County
Pop 24,408
Emanuel County
Pop 23,147
Tattnall County
Pop 24,376
Places similar to McDonald County
Head to head

Compare McDonald County to nearby counties

MCDONALD COUNTY VS
Newton County
Income$66,301+283%
Home value$190,700+507%
Population62,263+160%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDONALD COUNTY VS
Benton County
Income$93,506+440%
Home value$323,500+930%
Population332,554+1286%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDONALD COUNTY VS
Barry County
Income$58,346+237%
Home value$187,800+498%
Population36,200+51%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
MCDONALD COUNTY VS
Ottawa County
Income$49,947+189%
Home value$123,300+293%
Population30,438+27%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in McDonald County, Missouri?

McDonald County, Missouri has about 16,938 residents according to the 1990 Census.

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

The typical household in McDonald County, Missouri earns about $17,312 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is McDonald County, Missouri expensive?

In McDonald County, Missouri, the median home is worth about $31,400, and the typical rent is about $239 a month.

How educated are people in McDonald County, Missouri?

About 6.6% of adults age 25 and over in McDonald County, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in McDonald County, Missouri?

About 20.6% of people in McDonald County, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 703Census Tract 702Census Tract 704.01Census Tract 701.01Census Tract 704.02Census Tract 701.02
10 ZIP codes
ZIP 64831ZIP 64854ZIP 64856ZIP 64843ZIP 64863ZIP 64861ZIP 64867ZIP 64847ZIP 64868ZIP 65730
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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