Buchanan County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Buchanan County is located in Missouri with a total population of 83,855. It is the 14th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Buchanan County is 38.9 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Buchanan County is $59,423. This is 14% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 9% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $156,600. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Buchanan County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Buchanan County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.0%.

Education

23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower 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 89.8%.