County · Missouri
Dent County, Missouri
Dent County, Missouri. Dent County had 14,584 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 29065.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,584
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,421 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,539
Median household income
$56,312
±$4,171 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$167,500
±$13,322 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$660
±$118 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Dent County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,421 residents in Dent County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,584 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,539 over 753 square miles of land.
| Measure | Dent County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,539 | 6,191,814 | −1,006 |
| Households | 5,618±255 | 2,508,227 | −753 |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.12 | 2.40 | +0.14 |
| Housing units | 6,822±25 | 2,825,287 | −512 |
Dent County's population since 2000
From 14,927 in 2000 to 14,584 in 2025: down 2.3%. 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 Dent County?
Dent County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Salem with 4,674 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Salem | 4,608 | $43,923 |
|---|---|---|
| BunkerGEOID 2909694 | 295 | $23,750 |
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 Dent County?
The median resident of Dent County is 43.5 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.5%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Dent County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5±0.7 | 39.0 | −1.2 |
| Under 18 years | 22.6%±0.4 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% | 5.2% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.1%±1.2 pts | 76.3% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±1.0 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.4%±2.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 20.5%±2.2 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.6%±2.9 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.6%±2.7 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.5%±2.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.3%±1.8 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.1%±1.9 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 Dent County earn?
Half of Dent County's 5,618 households earn less than $56,312 a year (±$4,171), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $51,812 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dent County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $56,312±$4,171 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,407±$7,105 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,909±$2,579 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2%±2.1 pts | 12.6% | −10.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.7%±3.7 pts | 15.8% | −20.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.0%±3.4 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 76.8%±3.3 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 Dent County?
Owners occupy 75.9% of Dent County's occupied homes and renters 24.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $167,500 by its owner (±$13,322). The median renter pays $660 a month including utilities, and 22.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dent County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $167,500±$13,322 | $230,300 | +$41,231 |
| Median gross rent | $660±$118 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.8%±8.4 pts | 36.6% | −12.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,219±$109 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.9%±3.8 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,822±25 | 2,825,287 | −512 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.4%±3.1 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.8%±3.7 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.8%±3.1 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.9%±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 Dent County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Dent County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.2 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 Dent County get to work?
83.2% of Dent County's workers drive alone and 7.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Dent County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.5%±2.1 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4%±1.7 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.2%±2.6 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5%±2.1 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.3%±1.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.2%±1.9 pts | 13.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.0 min±1.7 | 23.5 min | −4.0 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 are Dent County's census tracts?
Dent County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,425 (Tract 9603) to $63,333 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960129065960100 | 4,134±470 | $63,333 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960229065960200 | 5,214±509 | $62,904 |
| Tract 960329065960300 | 2,352±330 | $44,425 |
| Tract 960429065960400 | 2,839±355 | $44,960 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Dent County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 71st of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 64th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 84th of 115 |
| Median household income | 75th of 115 |
| Median home value | 59th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 88th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 82nd of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76th of 115 |
| Median age | 29th 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 Dent 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.