West Plains, MO

Census Place

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2024 Population
12,441
US Senator
Josh Hawley
Republican Party
US Senator
Eric Schmitt
Republican Party
2024 Median Age
36.3
6.14% 1-year increase
2024 Poverty Rate
28.1%
9.34% 1-year decrease
2024 Median Household Income
$44,002
10.3% 1-year growth
2024 Median Property Value
$169,900
7.06% 1-year growth
2024 Employed Population
5,422
8.85% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in West Plains, 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.

99.7% of the residents in West Plains, MO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Plains, MO are Missouri State University-West Plains (285 degrees awarded in 2023) and Southern Missouri Technical Institute (46 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in West Plains, MO was $169,900, and the homeownership rate was 52.1%.

Most people in West Plains, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.3 minutes. The average car ownership in West Plains, MO was 2 cars per household.

United StatesMissouriHowell County, MOWest Plains, MOHowell, Texas, Wright, Douglas, Oregon & Ozark Counties PUMA, MO

Population & Diversity

West Plains, MO is home to a population of 12.4k people, from which 99.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 0.322% of West Plains, MO residents were born outside of the country (40 people).

In 2024, there were 27 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.7k people) in West Plains, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 434 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 120 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.7%
2024 Citizenship
99.6%
2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.7% of West Plains, MO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in West Plains, MO was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Plains, MO
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    11.7k ± 158
  2. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    434 ± 108
  3. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    120 ± 39
0.241%
Hispanic Population
30 people

In 2024, there were 27 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.7k people) in West Plains, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 434 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 120 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

0.241% of the people in West Plains, MO are hispanic (30 people).

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

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Missouri.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    41,951 ± 5,011 people
  2. India
    23,410 ± 3,749 people
  3. 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.

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Foreign-Born Population

0.322%
2024 Foreign-Born Population
40 people
0.429%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
53 people

As of 2024, 0.322% of West Plains, MO residents (40 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 West Plains, MO was 0.429%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Gulf War (2001-)
    278 ± 201
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    122 ± 92
  3. Vietnam
    115 ± 69

West Plains, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2.28 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in West Plains, MO.

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Economy

The economy of West Plains, MO employs 5.42k people. In 2024, the largest industries in West Plains, MO were Health Care & Social Assistance (1,032 people), Educational Services (756 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (542 people), and the highest paying industries were Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($102,699), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($102,699), and Manufacturing ($48,750).

Employment

Occupations

5.42k
2024 Value
± 685
8.85%
1 Year growth
± 16.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Plains, MO grew at a rate of 8.85%, from 4.98k employees to 5.42k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Plains, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (893 people), Sales & Related Occupations (581 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (553 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Plains, MO.

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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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

5.42k
2024 Value
± 685
8.85%
1 Year growth
± 16.7%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Plains, MO grew at a rate of 8.85%, from 4.98k employees to 5.42k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Plains, MO, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,032 people), Educational Services (756 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (542 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Plains, MO, though some of these residents may live in West Plains, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$40,752
Median earning men ± $6,259
$29,573
Median earning women ± $3,614

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Construction ($65,804), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($52,083), and Manufacturing ($48,952).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,369), Public Administration ($39,911), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($34,750).

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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.

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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

Voting results are not available for West Plains, MO. Showing the available data for Missouri.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (58.5%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (40.1%)
    Democratic Party
  3. 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.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Missouri

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.
Josh Hawley
Senator from Missouri1
Assumed office on January 3, 2019
Eric Schmitt
Senator from Missouri3
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.

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Education

In 2023, universities in West Plains, MO awarded 331 degrees. The student population of West Plains, MO in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 605 male students and 1,179 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Plains, MO are White (296 and 91.9%), Two or More Races (12 and 3.73%), Hispanic or Latino (7 and 2.17%), and Unknown (4 and 1.24%).

The largest universities in West Plains, MO by number of degrees awarded are Missouri State University-West Plains (285 and 86.1%) and Southern Missouri Technical Institute (46 and 13.9%).

The most popular majors in West Plains, MO are General Studies (102 and 30.8%), Registered Nursing (58 and 17.5%), and Other Teacher Education & Professional Development (27 and 8.16%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 1,784 students enrolled in West Plains, MO, 33.9% men and 66.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,558 records, of which 66.9% were women and 33.1% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Studies
    102 degrees awarded
  2. Registered Nursing
    58 degrees awarded
  3. Other Teacher Education & Professional Development
    27 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in West Plains, MO was General Studies with 102 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in West Plains, MO according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Missouri State University-West Plains
    285 degrees awarded
  2. Southern Missouri Technical Institute
    46 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Missouri State University-West Plains with 285 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

In 2023, 80 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Plains, MO, which is 0.319 times less than the 251 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 296 degrees mean that there were 24.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 12 degrees awarded.

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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.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,592) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($952) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($948) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

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Housing & Living

The median property value in West Plains, MO was $169,900 in 2024, which is 0.511 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $158,700 to $169,900, a 7.06% increase. The homeownership rate in West Plains, MO is 52.1%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in West Plains, MO have an average commute time of 21.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Plains, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$169,900
Median Property Value 2024
±$17,209
$2,634
Median Property Taxes
±$385

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 West Plains, MO the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

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Rent vs Own

52.1%
Homeownership
2024
67%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2024

In 2024, 52.1% of the housing units in West Plains, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 48.2%.

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

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$44,002
Median Household Income
± $6,769
5.05k
Number of Households
± 606

In 2024, the median household income of the 5.05k households in West Plains, MO grew to $44,002 from the previous year's value of $39,897.

The following chart displays the households in West Plains, 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 < $10k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for West Plains, 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.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024
  1. Drove Alone (79.1%)
  2. Carpooled (14.4%)
  3. Worked At Home (3.58%)

In 2024, 79.1% of workers in West Plains, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (14.4%) and those who worked at home (3.58%).

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.

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Commute Time

21.3 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Plains, MO have a shorter commute time (21.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 5.5% of the workforce in West Plains, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

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

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

28.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Plains, MO (3.36k out of 12k 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 35 - 44, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 12 - 14.

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

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.

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Health

84.4% of the population of West Plains, MO has health coverage, with 33.2% on employee plans, 24.1% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 1.43% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Missouri see 1,421 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,421 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1596 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 382 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46% were men and 54% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.9% under 18 years, 24% between 18 and 34 years, 32.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46% were men and 54% were women.

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

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Uninsured People

15.6%
Uninsured
33.2%
Employer Coverage
24.1%
Medicaid
13%
Medicare
12.7%
Non-Group
1.43%
Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Plains, MO declined by 14.3% from 18.2% to 15.6%.

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

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