Ripley County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Ripley County is located in Missouri with a total population of 10,755. It is the 82nd most populous county out of 115 in Missouri. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ripley County is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ripley County is $43,898. This is 36% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 44% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.7%. This is 56% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $110,800. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Ripley County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ripley County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 59% 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 83.7%.