Adair County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Adair County is located in Missouri with a total population of 25,224. It is the 41st most populous county out of 115 in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Adair County is 29.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Adair County is $56,583. This is 18% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $159,500. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Adair County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Adair County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.2%. The Black or African American population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.

Education

35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Adair County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.7%. Notably, 18.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.