Iron County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Iron County is located in Missouri with a total population of 9,482. It is the 88th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Iron County is 45.3 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Iron County is $51,161. This is 26% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.7%. This is 64% 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 3.3%. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $113,000. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Iron County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Iron County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.1%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

18.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 85.9%.