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Pulaski County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Pulaski County, Missouri has a population of 53,894, the 22nd most populous county in Missouri. The median household income is $64,466 and the median home value is $189,800. The poverty rate is 12.7%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Pulaski County Quick Facts

Population 53,894
Median Household Income $64,466
Median Home Value $189,800
Poverty Rate 12.7%
Unemployment Rate 4.7%
Median Age 27.8 years
Homeownership Rate 61.2%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree+ 25.8%
High School Graduation 93.9%
Cities/Places 6
Population 53,894 22nd of 115
Median Income $64,466 9% lower than state
Poverty Rate 12.7%
Unemployment 4.7%

How Pulaski County Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population53,85053,894+0.1%
Median household income$66,435$64,466-3.0%
Median home value$189,700$189,800+0.1%

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.6%
$25K-$50K 22.2%
$50K-$100K 34.8%
$100K+ 27.4%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.6%
$10K-$15K
4.2%
$15K-$20K
2.9%
$20K-$25K
3.8%
$25K-$30K
3.0%
$30K-$35K
4.7%
$35K-$40K
4.4%
$40K-$45K
4.6%
$45K-$50K
5.4%
$50K-$60K
7.8%
$60K-$75K
11.0%
$75K-$100K
16.0%
$100K-$125K
10.8%
$125K-$150K
7.6%
$150K-$200K
4.8%
$200K+
4.2%

Employment

4.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.0%|National: 5.2%
69.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 61.2%
Renter 38.8%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,112/mo 20.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

50out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 61

Education

Cities & Places in Pulaski County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Fort Leonard Wood15,432$67,7727.2%N/A
Waynesville5,442$56,83616.5%$200,000
St. Robert5,356$62,64119.2%$225,300
Richland2,136$34,26825.9%$76,100
Dixon1,334$49,90422.2%$134,200
Crocker1,024$58,20721.9%$101,600

Population Overview

Pulaski County is located in Missouri with a total population of 53,894. It is the 22nd most populous county out of 115 in Missouri. The county encompasses 6 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Pulaski County is 27.8 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Pulaski County is $64,466. This is 9% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $189,800. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Pulaski County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Pulaski County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.5% vs 5.2%).

Education

25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Pulaski County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Missouri and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Pulaski County, Missouri?

Pulaski County has a population of 53,894, making it the 22nd most populous county in Missouri.

What is the median income in Pulaski County?

The median household income in Pulaski County is $64,466 with a poverty rate of 12.7%.

How many cities are in Pulaski County, Missouri?

Pulaski County contains 6 Census-designated places.