County · Missouri
Carter County, Missouri
Carter County, Missouri. Carter County had 5,418 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 5 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 29035.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,418
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,202 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,297
Median household income
$50,000
±$8,926 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$159,400
±$22,788 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$656
±$46 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Carter County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,202 residents in Carter County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,418 for July 1, 2025, up 4.2% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,297 over 507 square miles of land.
| Measure | Carter County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,297 | 6,191,814 | −850 |
| Households | 2,038±136 | 2,508,227 | −295 |
| Average household size | 2.58±0.17 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,676±20 | 2,825,287 | −587 |
Carter County's population since 2000
From 5,941 in 2000 to 5,418 in 2025: down 8.8%. 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 Carter County?
Carter County holds 5 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Van Buren with 792 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Van Buren | 747 | $20,560 |
|---|---|---|
| EllsinoreGEOID 2921916 | 416 | $52,010 |
| GrandinGEOID 2928180 | 226 | $29,250 |
| HunterGEOID 2933778 | 95 | $41,298 |
| FremontGEOID 2925948 | 43 | 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 Carter County?
The median resident of Carter County is 38.9 years old; 24.3% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.6%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.7%.
| Measure | Carter County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9±1.5 | 39.0 | −2.8 |
| Under 18 years | 24.3%±0.9 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6%±0.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 5.2% | −0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.6%±0.6 pts | 76.3% | −3.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.7%±0.7 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±1.0 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.6%±2.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 13.1%±2.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 28.6%±5.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.6%±3.3 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.6%±4.8 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 10.1%±3.0 pts | 32.4% | −5.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.3%±2.0 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.3%±3.1 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 Carter County earn?
Half of Carter County's 2,038 households earn less than $50,000 a year (±$8,926), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $48,649 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 20.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Carter County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,000±$8,926 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $63,722±$9,438 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,032±$3,447 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.8%±5.5 pts | 12.6% | +7.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.1%±14.0 pts | 15.8% | +22.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.8%±5.8 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.1%±4.7 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 Carter County?
Owners occupy 60.7% of Carter County's occupied homes and renters 39.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,400 by its owner (±$22,788). The median renter pays $656 a month including utilities, and 33.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Carter County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $159,400±$22,788 | $230,300 | +$34,485 |
| Median gross rent | $656±$46 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.4%±13.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $992±$118 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.7%±8.0 pts | 68.1% | −16.7 pts |
| Housing units | 2,676±20 | 2,825,287 | −587 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±2.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.6%±5.5 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.6%±5.3 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.0%±2.5 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 Carter County building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Carter County in 2025 (5 single-family), 0.9 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 Carter County get to work?
68.6% of Carter County's workers drive alone and 11.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Carter County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.0%±4.3 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±2.0 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 68.6%±8.3 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.6%±7.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.3%±3.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.4%±6.0 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±5.0 | 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 Carter County's census tracts?
Carter County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,009 (Tract 9602) to $57,829 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960129035960100 | 3,084±252 | $57,829 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960229035960200 | 2,213±252 | $32,009 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Carter County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 107th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 26th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 105th of 115 |
| Median household income | 100th of 115 |
| Median home value | 70th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 89th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 8th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 115th of 115 |
| Median age | 91st 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 Carter 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.