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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Ray County

Missouri · 23,354 residents · 568.982 sq mi
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The short version

Ray County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $41,886. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value has more than doubled since 1990, reaching $85,200.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 37.1
US median: 35.2
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,354
+6%since 1990
from 21,971 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
41 / sq mi
+6%since 1990
from 39 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
37.1
+9%since 1990
from 34.1 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K22K23K23K24K1990201020202024Ray County
202423K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,886
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $27,124 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,685
+67%since 1990
from $11,213 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
6.8%
−3.6 ptssince 1990
from 10.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$85,200
+42%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $45,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$455
+4%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $331 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
79.5%
+0.4 ptssince 1990
from 79.0% in 1990
20.5% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+22%since 1990
from 1.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ray County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(21,501)
Black1.4%(313)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(100)
Asian0.2%(33)
Diversity Score6.3%(1,393)
2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(22,384)
Black1.5%(340)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(253)
Asian0.2%(43)
Diversity Score6.8%(1,581)
Diversity Score
7
+7%since 1990
from 6 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.8%
+2.4 ptssince 1990
from 8.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
79.3%
+8.1 ptssince 1990
from 71.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
3.3%
+0.7 ptssince 1990
from 2.6% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.4 min
−16%since 1990
from 31.3 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
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 Ray County

Putnam County
Pop 23,722
Colusa County
Pop 21,836
Minidoka County
Pop 22,911
Morgan County
Pop 22,095
Places similar to Ray County
Head to head

Compare Ray County to nearby counties

RAY COUNTY VS
Lafayette County
Income$80,612+92%
Home value$216,500+154%
Population33,531+43%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAY COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$88,468+111%
Home value$275,600+223%
Population265,032+1033%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAY COUNTY VS
Caldwell County
Income$64,806+55%
Home value$166,500+95%
Population9,012−61%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RAY COUNTY VS
Carroll County
Income$62,154+48%
Home value$117,500+38%
Population8,417−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ray County, Missouri?

Ray County, Missouri has about 23,354 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Ray County, Missouri earns about $41,886 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ray County, Missouri expensive?

In Ray County, Missouri, the median home is worth about $85,200, and the typical rent is about $455 a month.

How educated are people in Ray County, Missouri?

About 10.8% of adults age 25 and over in Ray County, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ray County, Missouri?

About 6.8% of people in Ray County, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ray County, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Ray County, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,383 residents, a change of about 6 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

6 census tracts
Census Tract 803Census Tract 800.02Census Tract 802.01Census Tract 802.02Census Tract 801Census Tract 800.01
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 64085ZIP 64062ZIP 64077ZIP 64084ZIP 64035ZIP 64036ZIP 64017
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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