Buchanan County, MO

County

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2024 Population

83,568

US Senator

Josh Hawley

Republican Party

US Senator

Eric Schmitt

Republican Party

2024 Poverty Rate

16%

5.1% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$62,158

4.6% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$166,300

6.19% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

38,729

0.741% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Buchanan County, MO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.6% of the residents in Buchanan County, MO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Buchanan County, MO are Missouri Western State University (775 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Buchanan County, MO was $166,300, and the homeownership rate was 66.3%.

Most people in Buchanan County, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Buchanan County, MO was 2 cars per household.

Buchanan County, MO borders Atchison County, KS, Doniphan County, KS, Andrew County, MO, Clinton County, MO, DeKalb County, MO, and Platte County, MO.

United States Missouri St. Joseph, MO-KS

Population & Diversity

Buchanan County, MO is home to a population of 83.6k people, from which 97.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.04% of Buchanan County, MO residents were born outside of the country (3.38k people).

In 2024, there were 14.2 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (66.6k people) in Buchanan County, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.69k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.1k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.6%

2024 Citizenship

98.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.6% of Buchanan County, MO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Buchanan County, MO was 98.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Buchanan County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Buchanan County, MO

White (Non-Hispanic)
66.6k ± 440
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
4.69k ± 409
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
3.1k ± 474

7.56%

Hispanic Population

6.32k people

7.56% of the people in Buchanan County, MO are hispanic (6.32k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Buchanan County, MO as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Missouri.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,951 ± 5,011 people
India
23,410 ± 3,749 people
China
17,257 ± 3,221 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Missouri was Mexico, the natal country of 41,951 Missouri residents, followed by India with 23,410 and China with 17,257.

Foreign-Born Population

4.04%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

3.38k people

3.81%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

3.2k people

As of 2024, 4.04% of Buchanan County, MO residents (3.38k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Buchanan County, MO was 3.81%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Buchanan County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,661 ± 251
Gulf War (2001-)
1,067 ± 232
Gulf War (1990s)
731 ± 170

Buchanan County, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.56 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Buchanan County, MO.

Economy

The economy of Buchanan County, MO employs 38.7k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Buchanan County, MO were Manufacturing (8,018 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,242 people), and Retail Trade (4,634 people), and the highest paying industries were Finance & Insurance ($64,054), Utilities ($61,205), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,266).

Employment

Occupations

38.7k

2024 Value

± 1,450

0.741%

1 Year growth

± 5.17%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Buchanan County, MO grew at a rate of 0.741%, from 38.4k employees to 38.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Buchanan County, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,501 people), Production Occupations (4,478 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,685 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Buchanan County, MO.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Missouri (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

38.7k

2024 Value

± 1,450

0.741%

1 Year growth

± 5.17%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Buchanan County, MO grew at a rate of 0.741%, from 38.4k employees to 38.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Buchanan County, MO, are Manufacturing (8,018 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (6,242 people), and Retail Trade (4,634 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Buchanan County, MO, though some of these residents may live in Buchanan County, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,400

Median earning men ± $1,598

$36,414

Median earning women ± $1,438

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($78,289), Manufacturing ($54,381), and Construction ($53,358).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Construction ($59,286), Manufacturing ($51,606), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,434).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Y-Axis

2.17%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.94M people employed in Missouri. This represents a 2.17% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.8%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Missouri.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

137
Other Services (except Public Administration)
132
Health Care and Social Assistance
100
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$715k
Manufacturing
$514k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$214k
Construction

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Missouri went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.1%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.797%).

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing the state of Missouri. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Buchanan County, MO. Showing the available data for Missouri.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.5%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (40.1%)
Democratic Party
Chase Oliver (0.797%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Missouri went to Donald J. Trump with 58.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.1%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.797%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Missouri for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Missouri

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Josh Hawley

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Eric Schmitt

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing Missouri.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Missouri over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Buchanan County, MO awarded 775 degrees. The student population of Buchanan County, MO in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 1,473 male students and 2,344 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Buchanan County, MO are White (568 and 75.1%), Two or More Races (71 and 9.39%), Black or African American (61 and 8.07%), and Asian (18 and 2.38%).

The largest universities in Buchanan County, MO by number of degrees awarded are Missouri Western State University (775 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Buchanan County, MO are Registered Nursing (91 and 11.7%), General Business Administration & Management (74 and 9.55%), and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (44 and 5.68%).

The median tuition cost in Buchanan County, MO for a public four year colleges is $7,740 for in-state students and $16,260 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2019 in Buchanan County, MO, the percentage of applicants admitted was 53.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 42.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 3,817 (38.6% men and 61.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 3,817 students enrolled in Buchanan County, MO, 38.6% men and 61.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,623 records, of which 62.3% were women and 37.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
44 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
91 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
46 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Buchanan County, MO was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 44 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Buchanan County, MO according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Missouri Western State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

775 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Missouri Western State University with 775 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 274 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Buchanan County, MO, which is 0.547 times less than the 501 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 568 degrees mean that there were 8 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 71 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($7,740) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,230) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Buchanan County, MO was $166,300 in 2024, which is 0.5 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $156,600 to $166,300, a 6.19% increase. The homeownership rate in Buchanan County, MO is 66.3%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Buchanan County, MO have an average commute time of 17.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Buchanan County, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 15.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Buchanan County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 2.28%.

Housing

Property

$166,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,684

$22,184

Median Property Taxes

±$984

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Buchanan County, MO the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Buchanan County, MO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.3%

Homeownership

2024

62.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 66.3% of the housing units in Buchanan County, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 64.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Buchanan County, MO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$62,158

Median Household Income

± $2,788

33.4k

Number of Households

± 1,264

In 2024, the median household income of the 33.4k households in Buchanan County, MO grew to $62,158 from the previous year's value of $59,423.

The following chart displays the households in Buchanan County, MO distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Buchanan County, MO is from Missouri.

0.451

2023 Wage GINI in Missouri

0.455

2022 Wage GINI in Missouri

In 2023, the income inequality in Missouri was 0.451 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.848% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Missouri was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Missouri in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Missouri across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (80%)
Carpooled (10.2%)
Worked At Home (7.27%)

In 2024, 80% of workers in Buchanan County, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.2%) and those who worked at home (7.27%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

17.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Buchanan County, MO have a shorter commute time (17.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.36% of the workforce in Buchanan County, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Buchanan County, MO compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Buchanan County, MO distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Buchanan County, MO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 15.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Buchanan County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 2.28%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Buchanan County, MO (12.9k out of 80.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Buchanan County, MO is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 19% of the children was living in poverty in Buchanan County, MO. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 463 in Buchanan County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 56.6 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

88.8% of the population of Buchanan County, MO has health coverage, with 41.4% on employee plans, 17.1% on Medicaid, 13.6% on Medicare, 14.6% on non-group plans, and 2.05% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Buchanan County, MO see 1,525 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,525 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1295 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 448 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,525 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Buchanan County, MO

Primary care physicians in Buchanan County, MO see an average of 1,525 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,525 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Buchanan County, MO in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.2% under 18 years, 20.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.2%

Uninsured

41.4%

Employer Coverage

17.1%

Medicaid

13.6%

Medicare

14.6%

Non-Group

2.05%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Buchanan County, MO declined by 7% from 12.1% to 11.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Buchanan County, MO changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 75.3 in Buchanan County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Buchanan County, MO.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 40.1% in Buchanan County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Buchanan County, MO.