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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2000 CENSUS

West Plains Micro

West Plains, MO · 1 counties · 37,238 residents · 927.177 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 $25,628. Population has grown 18% 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 $66,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.2
US median: 35.2
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 38%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
37,238
+18%since 1990
from 31,447 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
40 / sq mi
+18%since 1990
from 34 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.2
+5%since 1990
from 36.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
31K33K36K39K41K1990201020202024West Plains
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$25,628
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $16,564 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,959
+59%since 1990
from $8,776 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
18.7%
−6.7 ptssince 1990
from 25.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$66,300
+38%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $36,400 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$350
+9%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $243 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
73.6%
−0.2 ptssince 1990
from 73.8% in 1990
26.4% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+18%since 1990
from 2.2 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Plains on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(31,111)
Black0%(14)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(158)
Asian0.1%(20)
Diversity Score3.9%(1,215)
2000
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(35,623)
Black0.3%(114)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(450)
Asian0.3%(130)
Diversity Score4.7%(1,754)
Diversity Score
5
+22%since 1990
from 4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.9%
+2.2 ptssince 1990
from 8.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
73.4%
+12.2 ptssince 1990
from 61.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
4.1%
+1.1 ptssince 1990
from 3.1% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.4 min
−36%since 1990
from 20.8 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.

In this metro

Principal cities

West PlainsCENTRAL12,780
What's inside

1 component county

Howell CountyCENTRAL40,798
Drill deeper

Metros similar to West Plains

Henderson
Pop 42,638
Mayfield
Pop 37,050
Alice
Pop 45,383
Blytheville
Pop 37,828
Places similar to West Plains
Head to head

Compare West Plains side by side

WEST PLAINS VS
Henderson
Income$50,465+97%
Home value$161,500+144%
Population42,638+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Mayfield
Income$50,772+98%
Home value$147,800+123%
Population37,050−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Alice
Income$51,270+100%
Home value$117,141+77%
Population45,383+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Blytheville
Income$52,548+105%
Home value$122,500+85%
Population37,828−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Plains, MO?

West Plains, MO has about 37,238 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in West Plains, MO earns about $25,628 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is West Plains, MO expensive?

In West Plains, MO, the median home is worth about $66,300, and the typical rent is about $350 a month.

How educated are people in West Plains, MO?

About 10.9% of adults age 25 and over in West Plains, MO hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in West Plains, MO?

About 18.7% of people in West Plains, MO live below the federal poverty line.

Has West Plains, MO grown since 1990?

Yes, West Plains, MO has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,791 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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