West Plains, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Plains, Missouri had a total population of 12,441, the 75th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $44,002, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
West Plains Quick Facts
How West Plains Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,341 | 12,441 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $39,897 | $44,002 | +10.3% |
| Median home value | $158,700 | $169,900 | +7.1% |
How West Plains Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
West Plains Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Howell County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | 2,658 | $38,942 | 29.4% | $123,500 |
| Willow Springs | 2,279 | $41,406 | 20.5% | $135,400 |
| Pomona | 178 | $32,604 | 23.6% | $72,800 |
| Brandsville | 139 | $68,971 | 7.9% | N/A |
| South Fork | 67 | $65,417 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to West Plains
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moberly | 13,526 | $44,145 | $153,100 | 16.3% | 18.4% |
| Fulton | 12,617 | $51,429 | $155,900 | 21.7% | 14.0% |
| Jennings | 12,918 | $38,984 | $68,800 | 10.8% | 25.2% |
| Branson | 12,817 | $51,978 | $251,000 | 27.7% | 20.2% |
| St. Ann | 12,811 | $52,323 | $126,600 | 20.4% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
West Plains is a small city located in Missouri, within Howell County. The total population is 12,441. It ranks as the 75th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Plains is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Plains is $44,002. This is 38% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.1%. This is 123% 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 4.2%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $169,900. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 52.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Plains has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
17.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Plains, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of West Plains, Missouri?
West Plains, Missouri has a population of 12,441 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Plains, MO?
The median household income in West Plains is $44,002, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Plains, MO?
The poverty rate in West Plains is 28.1%. This means approximately 3,361 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Plains, Missouri?
West Plains's population is 94.1% White, 1.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Plains, MO?
The median home value in West Plains is $169,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is West Plains, Missouri?
17.1% of adults (25+) in West Plains hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.