City · Missouri
West Plains, Missouri
West Plains, city, in Howell County, Missouri. West Plains had 12,780 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 12,184 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 12,441 (±71). GEOID 2978928.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,780
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 12,184 · ACS 2020-2024: 12,441 ±71
Median household income
$44,002
±$6,769 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$169,900
±$17,209 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$810
±$146 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
Where is West Plains and what county is it in?
West Plains is a city in Howell County, Missouri. It covers 13.3 square miles of land, 916 residents per square mile in 2020.
West Plains is in the West Plains, MO micropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in West Plains, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 12,780 people lived in West Plains on July 1, 2025, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020 Census counted 12,184 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 12,441 (±71).
| Measure | West Plains | Howell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 12,441 ±71 | 40,383 | +208 |
| Households | 5,051 ±319 | 15,965 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.36 ±0.15 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,726 ±301 | 18,149 | no clear change |
West Plains's population since 2000
From 10,866 in 2000 to 12,780 in 2025: up 17.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for West Plains as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in West Plains?
The median resident of West Plains is 36.3 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.9%.
| Measure | West Plains | Howell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.3 ±2.8 | 40.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.4% ±2.8 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2% ±2.3 pts | 19.9% | – |
| Male | 45.7% ±2.5 pts | 48.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.1% ±1.2 pts | 91.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | +0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9% ±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.3% ±2.0 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8% ±2.7 pts | 9.2% | – |
| With a disability | 19.9% ±3.8 pts | 19.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.6% ±4.0 pts | 11.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.2% ±3.8 pts | 86.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.1% ±4.2 pts | 17.8% | −9.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6% ±3.1 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.7% ±4.0 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in West Plains earn?
Half of West Plains's 5,051 households earn less than $44,002 a year (±$6,769), against $50,993 in Howell County and $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $45,370 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 28.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | West Plains | Howell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,002 ±$6,769 | $50,993 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $57,298 ±$5,308 | $66,539 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,722 ±$2,374 | $27,570 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.1% ±6.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.4% ±13.2 pts | 23.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.4% ±4.6 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.9% ±2.3 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4% ±3.1 pts | 85.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in West Plains?
Owners occupy 52.1% of West Plains's occupied homes and renters 47.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $169,900 by its owner (±$17,209). The median renter pays $810 a month including utilities, and 41.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | West Plains | Howell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $169,900 ±$17,209 | $173,000 | +$47,200 |
| Median gross rent | $810 ±$146 | $733 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.6% ±8.1 pts | 34.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,024 ±$79 | $1,109 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 52.1% ±6.0 pts | 70.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 47.9% ±6.0 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Housing units | 5,726 ±301 | 18,149 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4% ±5.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.7% ±5.0 pts | 75.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.7% ±1.1 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.1% ±3.4 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.5% ±3.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.2% ±3.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is West Plains building?
Builders took permits for 62 new housing units in West Plains in 2025 (57 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 11 of 12 months), 4.9 per 1,000 residents against 2.8 across Missouri.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in West Plains work and get to work?
79.1% of West Plains's workers drive alone and 3.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | West Plains | Howell County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.3% ±4.6 pts | 55.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% ±2.6 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1% ±6.0 pts | 77.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.4% ±5.7 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.6% ±2.1 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±4.4 | 23.1 min | +6.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in West Plains?
3 census tracts lie mostly in West Plains, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $33,031 (Tract 907) to $66,940 (Tract 908.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 907Howell County | 4,899 | $33,031 |
| Tract 908.01Howell County | 3,616 | $66,940 |
| Tract 908.02Howell County | 3,085 | $46,379 |
| Tract 905Howell County | 5,546 | $54,810 |
| Tract 906Howell County | 4,808 | $62,644 |
| Tract 903Howell County | 4,247 | $48,672 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in West Plains) · Census block assignment files
How does West Plains compare with other places in Missouri?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, West Plains is the 2,704th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 66th-most populous of 936 in Missouri.
West Plains ranks 355th of 416 places in Missouri with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 66th | 936 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 91st | 394 |
| Residents per square mile | 250th | 420 |
| Median household income | 355th | 416 |
| Per capita income | 329th | 420 |
| Median home value | 179th | 416 |
| Median gross rent | 228th | 398 |
| Poverty rate | 39th | 373 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 263rd | 404 |
| Median age | 278th | 420 |
| Owner-occupied share | 366th | 418 |
| Work from home | 259th | 270 |
| Travel time to work | 253rd | 420 |
West Plains's figures with every place in Missouri (CSV)
Every place in Missouri, sortable · Compare West Plains with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for West Plains?
12 of the 57 figures for West Plains on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for West Plains are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in West Plains.