Saline County, Missouri Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Saline County is located in Missouri with a total population of 23,177. It is the 48th most populous county out of 115 in Missouri. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Saline County is 35.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Saline County is $56,566. This is 18% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 14.6%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $139,600. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Saline County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Saline County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.2%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 11.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.2% vs 5.1%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 87.6%.