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Willow Springs, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Willow Springs, Missouri had a total population of 2,279, the 253rd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $41,406, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.

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

Key Takeaways

Willow Springs Quick Facts

Population 2,279
Median Household Income $41,406
Median Home Value $135,400
Poverty Rate 20.5%
Unemployment Rate 6.0%
Median Age 33.3 years
Homeownership Rate 51.3%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 16.0%
High School Graduation Rate 80.9%
Diversity Index 17/100
Population 2,279 253rd of 1,062
Median Income $41,406 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 20.5% 64% higher than national
Median Home Value $135,400 average

How Willow Springs 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
Population2,0152,279+13.1%
Median household income$43,125$41,406-4.0%
Median home value$108,300$135,400+25.0%

How Willow Springs Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 24.6%
$25K-$50K 31.6%
$50K-$100K 26.7%
$100K+ 17.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
12.4%
$10K-$15K
5.3%
$15K-$20K
5.2%
$20K-$25K
1.7%
$25K-$30K
7.0%
$30K-$35K
9.5%
$35K-$40K
5.5%
$40K-$45K
6.2%
$45K-$50K
3.5%
$50K-$60K
9.2%
$60K-$75K
11.7%
$75K-$100K
5.8%
$100K-$125K
5.5%
$125K-$150K
7.3%
$150K-$200K
2.8%
$200K+
1.5%

Employment

6.0% Unemployment Rate State: 4.0%|National: 5.2%
55.6% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 51.3%
Renter 48.7%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $634/mo 18.4% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

17out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 61

Education

Willow Springs Rankings in Missouri

#253 Population of 1,062
#772 Median Income of 955
#483 Education of 1,062
#438 Home Value of 941

Other Cities in Howell County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
West Plains 12,441 $44,002 28.1% $169,900
Mountain View 2,658 $38,942 29.4% $123,500
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 Willow Springs

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Houston2,226$40,000$114,40016.0%30.0%
Castle Point2,340$37,679$62,60010.1%34.1%
Thayer2,333$37,417$67,50020.0%34.3%
Doniphan2,345$37,650$110,40014.8%30.2%
Bloomfield2,069$41,838$67,1007.8%25.1%

Population Overview

Willow Springs is a small community located in Missouri, within Howell County. The total population is 2,279. It ranks as the 253rd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Willow Springs is 33.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Willow Springs is $41,406. This is 41% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 63% 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 6.0%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $135,400. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 51.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 68.1%.

Race & Ethnicity

Willow Springs has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.

Education

16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 80.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Willow Springs, 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 Willow Springs, Missouri?

Willow Springs, Missouri has a population of 2,279 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Willow Springs, MO?

The median household income in Willow Springs is $41,406, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Willow Springs, MO?

The poverty rate in Willow Springs is 20.5%. This means approximately 457 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Willow Springs, Missouri?

Willow Springs's population is 90.9% White, 2.4% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Willow Springs, MO?

The median home value in Willow Springs is $135,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is Willow Springs, Missouri?

16.0% of adults (25+) in Willow Springs hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.