County · Missouri
Howell County, Missouri
Howell County, Missouri. Howell County had 40,798 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 29091.
Howell County is the county of the West Plains, MO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
40,798
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 39,750 · ACS 2020-2024: 40,383
Median household income
$50,993
±$2,030 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$173,000
±$9,304 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$733
±$44 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Howell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 39,750 residents in Howell County. The Census Bureau estimates 40,798 for July 1, 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 40,383 over 927 square miles of land.
| Measure | Howell County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 40,383 | 6,191,814 | +279 |
| Households | 15,965±235 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.04 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 18,149±62 | 2,825,287 | −132 |
Howell County's population since 2000
From 37,238 in 2000 to 40,798 in 2025: up 9.6%. 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 Howell County?
Howell County holds 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is West Plains with 12,780 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| West Plains | 12,184 | $44,002 |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | 2,533 | $38,942 |
| Willow Springs | 2,164 | $41,406 |
| PomonaGEOID 2958934 | 440 | $32,604 |
| South ForkGEOID 2968762 | 212 | $65,417 |
| BrandsvilleGEOID 2907948 | 127 | $68,971 |
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 Howell County?
The median resident of Howell County is 40.3 years old; 24.1% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.5%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Howell County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3±0.6 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.1% | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9%±0.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.6% | 5.2% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.5%±1.0 pts | 76.3% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±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 | 3.5%±0.4 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.1%±1.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.2%±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6%±1.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.7%±1.6 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.9%±1.5 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.8%±2.0 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.0%±1.3 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.5 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 Howell County earn?
Half of Howell County's 15,965 households earn less than $50,993 a year (±$2,030), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $47,206 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,787 after inflation. 20.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Howell County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,993±$2,030 | $70,702 | +$3,787 |
| Mean household income | $66,539±$3,330 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,570±$1,259 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.3%±3.1 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.8%±6.5 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±2.1 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.6%±1.8 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 Howell County?
Owners occupy 70.3% of Howell County's occupied homes and renters 29.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $173,000 by its owner (±$9,304). The median renter pays $733 a month including utilities, and 34.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Howell County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $173,000±$9,304 | $230,300 | +$34,916 |
| Median gross rent | $733±$44 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.8%±6.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,109±$39 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.3%±2.7 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 18,149±62 | 2,825,287 | −132 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±2.9 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.1%±2.7 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.0%±1.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.5%±1.8 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 Howell County building?
Builders took permits for 67 new housing units across Howell County in 2025 (62 single-family), 1.6 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 Howell County get to work?
77.6% of Howell County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Howell County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.6%±1.9 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±1.4 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.6%±2.9 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.1%±2.8 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | +2.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±2.1 | 23.5 min | +4.1 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 Howell County's census tracts?
Howell County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,031 (Tract 907) to $66,940 (Tract 908.01).
| Tract 901.0129091090101 | 2,835±529 | $51,464 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 901.0229091090102 | 2,412±288 | $53,839 |
| Tract 90229091090200 | 4,224±320 | $42,371 |
| Tract 90329091090300 | 4,247±496 | $48,672 |
| Tract 90429091090400 | 4,711±535 | $63,500 |
| Tract 90529091090500 | 5,546±750 | $54,810 |
| Tract 90629091090600 | 4,808±502 | $62,644 |
| Tract 90729091090700 | 4,899±506 | $33,031 |
| Tract 908.0129091090801 | 3,616±624 | $66,940 |
| Tract 908.0229091090802 | 3,085±640 | $46,379 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Howell County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 29th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 44th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 43rd of 115 |
| Median household income | 98th of 115 |
| Median home value | 48th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 69th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 61st of 115 |
| Median age | 67th 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 Howell 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.