County · Missouri
Adair County, Missouri
Adair County, Missouri. Adair County had 25,684 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.5% since 2020, in line with Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 7 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 29001.
Adair County is one of the 2 counties of the Kirksville, MO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,684
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,314 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,301
Median household income
$61,536
±$4,691 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$165,700
±$10,140 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$772
±$43 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Adair County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,314 residents in Adair County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,684 for July 1, 2025, up 1.5% since 2020, in line with Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,301 over 567 square miles of land.
| Measure | Adair County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,301 | 6,191,814 | −68 |
| Households | 9,126±323 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.56±0.09 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,389±36 | 2,825,287 | no clear change |
Adair County's population since 2000
From 24,977 in 2000 to 25,684 in 2025: up 2.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Adair County?
Adair County holds 7 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Kirksville with 17,863 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kirksville | 17,530 | $50,071 |
|---|---|---|
| Novinger | 383 | $53,125 |
| Brashear | 235 | $47,083 |
| Greentop | 388 | $67,614 |
| MillardGEOID 2948134 | 79 | $77,875 |
| GibbsGEOID 2926920 | 70 | not published |
| ConnelsvilleGEOID 2916138 | 53 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Adair County?
The median resident of Adair County is 30.2 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 4.4%. 5.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Adair County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.2±0.7 | 39.0 | +2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 18.7%±0.3 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4%±0.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% | 5.2% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.1%±0.4 pts | 76.3% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.4 pts | 10.9% | +1.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.4%±1.1 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.2%±1.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6%±1.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±1.4 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.3%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | +2.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.4%±1.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 35.5%±2.6 pts | 32.4% | +4.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.1%±2.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9%±1.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
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 Adair County earn?
Half of Adair County's 9,126 households earn less than $61,536 a year (±$4,691), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,602 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,934 after inflation. 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Adair County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,536±$4,691 | $70,702 | +$9,934 |
| Mean household income | $90,838±$10,847 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,223±$3,689 | $39,695 | +$6,105 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.0%±2.4 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.0%±4.6 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.0%±2.0 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.8%±3.4 pts | 89.3% | – |
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 Adair County?
Owners occupy 61.0% of Adair County's occupied homes and renters 39.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $165,700 by its owner (±$10,140). The median renter pays $772 a month including utilities, and 32.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Adair County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $165,700±$10,140 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $772±$43 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.5%±4.8 pts | 36.6% | −15.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,145±$56 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.0%±2.7 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,389±36 | 2,825,287 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±3.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.6%±2.4 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.6%±1.2 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.2%±2.3 pts | 13.3% | – |
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 Adair County building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units across Adair County in 2025 (9 single-family), 0.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Adair County get to work?
77.8% of Adair County's workers drive alone and 8.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Adair County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.0%±2.5 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±2.1 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.8%±3.1 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±2.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.0%±1.7 pts | 13.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.3 min±1.1 | 23.5 min | no clear change |
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 are Adair County's census tracts?
Adair County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,342 (Tract 9503) to $85,192 (Tract 9501).
| Tract 950129001950100 | 3,837±339 | $85,192 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950229001950200 | 2,800±279 | $72,992 |
| Tract 950329001950300 | 2,959±522 | $32,342 |
| Tract 950429001950400 | 4,224±382 | $65,641 |
| Tract 9505.0129001950501 | 3,891±553 | $65,750 |
| Tract 9505.0229001950502 | 3,563±441 | $53,942 |
| Tract 950929001950900 | 2,335±454 | $42,530 |
| Tract 951029001951000 | 1,692±177 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Adair County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 41st of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 57th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 115 |
| Median household income | 50th of 115 |
| Median home value | 64th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 54th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 115 |
| Median age | 114th of 115 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Adair County 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' school search.