McDonald County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

McDonald County is located in Missouri with a total population of 23,492. It is the 46th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in McDonald County is 38.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in McDonald County is $48,145. This is 30% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.2%. This is 36% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $134,100. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, McDonald County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in McDonald County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.3% vs 5.1%).

Education

13.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 81.3%.