County · Missouri
McDonald County, Missouri
McDonald County, Missouri. McDonald County had 23,992 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.0% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 9 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 29119.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,992
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 23,303 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,701
Median household income
$52,375
±$4,081 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$154,700
±$15,878 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$767
±$62 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in McDonald County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 23,303 residents in McDonald County. The Census Bureau estimates 23,992 for July 1, 2025, up 3.0% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,701 over 539 square miles of land.
| Measure | McDonald County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,701 | 6,191,814 | +919 |
| Households | 8,558±212 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.75±0.07 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,828±28 | 2,825,287 | −155 |
McDonald County's population since 2000
From 21,681 in 2000 to 23,992 in 2025: up 10.7%. 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 McDonald County?
McDonald County holds 9 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Noel with 2,181 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Noel | 2,124 | $41,483 |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 1,981 | $53,966 |
| Goodman | 1,202 | $54,250 |
| Southwest City | 922 | $44,625 |
| Pineville | 802 | $30,978 |
| Lanagan | 373 | $49,000 |
| Jane | 359 | $46,250 |
| Rocky ComfortGEOID 2962822 | 176 | $66,125 |
| Ginger BlueGEOID 2927100 | 37 | $39,153 |
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 McDonald County?
The median resident of McDonald County is 38.2 years old; 25.5% are under 18 and 15.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 68.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 12.4%. 11.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | McDonald County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2±0.8 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.5%±0.1 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.6%±0.4 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 12.4% | 5.2% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 68.3%±2.3 pts | 76.3% | −9.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.5 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 10.4%±2.3 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.0%±0.9 pts | 4.5% | +3.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 15.9%±1.4 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±1.3 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±1.5 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 18.4%±2.9 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.9%±2.4 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.3%±1.7 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2%±0.9 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 McDonald County earn?
Half of McDonald County's 8,558 households earn less than $52,375 a year (±$4,081), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $51,250 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McDonald County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,375±$4,081 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $69,959±$4,328 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,422±$1,359 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.8%±2.5 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.2%±4.6 pts | 15.8% | −8.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.6%±2.5 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.9%±2.8 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 McDonald County?
Owners occupy 67.3% of McDonald County's occupied homes and renters 32.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $154,700 by its owner (±$15,878). The median renter pays $767 a month including utilities, and 28.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McDonald County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $154,700±$15,878 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $767±$62 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.2%±5.9 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167±$62 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.3%±3.4 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,828±28 | 2,825,287 | −155 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±2.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.2%±3.8 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 27.8%±3.7 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.9%±2.0 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 McDonald County building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units across McDonald County in 2025 (18 single-family), 0.8 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 McDonald County get to work?
74.1% of McDonald County's workers drive alone and 8.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.8%.
| Measure | McDonald County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.2%±2.2 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.8%±2.0 pts | 4.0% | +2.6 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.1%±3.6 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.4%±2.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.1%±2.3 pts | 13.0% | +3.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.1 min±1.5 | 23.5 min | +2.1 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 McDonald County's census tracts?
McDonald County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $46,923 (Tract 701.01) to $62,191 (Tract 702).
| Tract 701.0129119070101 | 3,446±424 | $46,923 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 701.0229119070102 | 2,447±358 | $50,833 |
| Tract 70229119070200 | 4,662±584 | $62,191 |
| Tract 70329119070300 | 6,380±716 | $51,378 |
| Tract 704.0129119070401 | 3,789±393 | $52,401 |
| Tract 704.0229119070402 | 2,977±420 | $47,331 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McDonald County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 46th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 38th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd of 115 |
| Median household income | 91st of 115 |
| Median home value | 78th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 57th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 112th of 115 |
| Median age | 95th 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 McDonald 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.