County · Missouri
Cooper County, Missouri
Cooper County, Missouri. Cooper County had 17,136 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 29053.
Cooper County is one of the 3 counties of the Columbia, MO metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
17,136
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,103 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,824
Median household income
$70,625
±$4,864 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$203,500
±$8,374 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$782
±$47 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Cooper County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,103 residents in Cooper County. The Census Bureau estimates 17,136 for July 1, 2025, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,824 over 565 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cooper County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,824 | 6,191,814 | −836 |
| Households | 6,246±182 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.07 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,300±50 | 2,825,287 | −209 |
Cooper County's population since 2000
From 16,670 in 2000 to 17,136 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 Cooper County?
Cooper County holds 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Boonville with 7,867 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Boonville | 7,964 | $56,429 |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Grove | 665 | $73,977 |
| Otterville | 440 | $48,828 |
| Windsor Place | 358 | $99,375 |
| Bunceton | 334 | $43,500 |
| Prairie Home | 262 | $53,750 |
| BlackwaterGEOID 2906148 | 170 | $66,389 |
| WooldridgeGEOID 2981016 | 28 | 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 Cooper County?
The median resident of Cooper County is 40.5 years old; 22.3% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.6%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cooper County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5±1.0 | 39.0 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 22.3%±0.2 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8%±0.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 5.2% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 87.8%±0.5 pts | 76.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.7 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.8 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3%±0.8 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1%±1.9 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.7%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.3%±1.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.0%±2.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±1.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.6 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 Cooper County earn?
Half of Cooper County's 6,246 households earn less than $70,625 a year (±$4,864), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $64,901 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,724 after inflation. 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cooper County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $70,625±$4,864 | $70,702 | +$5,724 |
| Mean household income | $81,395±$3,750 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,584±$1,510 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.7%±2.3 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.9%±4.7 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.7%±1.7 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.5%±2.3 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 Cooper County?
Owners occupy 75.7% of Cooper County's occupied homes and renters 24.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $203,500 by its owner (±$8,374). The median renter pays $782 a month including utilities, and 32.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cooper County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $203,500±$8,374 | $230,300 | +$39,941 |
| Median gross rent | $782±$47 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.2%±7.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,269±$71 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.7%±2.9 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,300±50 | 2,825,287 | −209 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.3%±4.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.8%±2.2 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.4%±1.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.7%±2.6 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 Cooper County building?
Builders took permits for 26 new housing units across Cooper County in 2025 (26 single-family), 1.5 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 Cooper County get to work?
79.6% of Cooper County's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Cooper County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.0%±1.8 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±1.8 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.6%±2.1 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.0%±1.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.4%±1.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.0 min±2.2 | 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 Cooper County's census tracts?
Cooper County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,677 (Tract 9503) to $91,394 (Tract 9501).
| Tract 950129053950100 | 3,459±220 | $91,394 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950229053950200 | 2,660±269 | $63,910 |
| Tract 950329053950300 | 3,843±266 | $49,677 |
| Tract 950429053950400 | 2,068±219 | $73,036 |
| Tract 950529053950500 | 4,794±251 | $73,274 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cooper County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 63rd of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 77th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 60th of 115 |
| Median household income | 21st of 115 |
| Median home value | 29th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 87th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29th of 115 |
| Median age | 65th 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 Cooper 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.