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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

West Plains Micro

West Plains, MO · 1 counties · 39,750 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 $39,482. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $114,600. The poverty rate of 23.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
39,750
+7%since 2000
from 37,238 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
43 / sq mi
+7%since 2000
from 40 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.5
+9%since 2000
from 38.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
31K33K36K39K41K1990201020202024West Plains
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,482
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $25,628 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$20,375
+46%since 2000
from $13,959 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.0%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
23.8%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.9%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$114,600
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$605
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $350 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.2%
−6.4 ptssince 2000
from 73.6% in 2000
32.8% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+12%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Plains on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(35,623)
Black0.3%(114)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(450)
Asian0.3%(130)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.7%(1,754)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.5%(35,972)
Black0.5%(180)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(896)
Asian0.5%(217)
Other2.7%(1,068)
Diversity Score14.8%(5,863)
Segregation Score24.7%(9,815)
Diversity Score
15
+213%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
25
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.3%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
86.0%
+12.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.9 min
+49%since 2000
from 13.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.5%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.2%
−2.6 ptssince 2011
from 54.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.1%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
51.4%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
15.9%
−68.6 ptssince 2013
from 84.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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+28%
Home value$161,500+41%
Population42,638+5%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Mayfield
Income$50,772+29%
Home value$147,800+29%
Population37,050−9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Alice
Income$51,270+30%
Home value$117,141+2%
Population45,383+11%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST PLAINS VS
Blytheville
Income$52,548+33%
Home value$122,500+7%
Population37,828−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Plains, MO?

West Plains, MO has about 39,750 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in West Plains, MO earns about $39,482 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 $114,600, and the typical rent is about $605 a month.

How educated are people in West Plains, MO?

About 17.3% 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 23.8% 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 8,303 residents, a change of about 26 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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