County · Missouri
Perry County, Missouri
Perry County, Missouri. Perry County had 19,093 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.7% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 8 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 29157.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,093
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,956 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,976
Median household income
$62,981
±$3,485 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$188,200
±$8,182 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$923
±$44 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Perry County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,956 residents in Perry County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,093 for July 1, 2025, up 0.7% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,976 over 474 square miles of land.
| Measure | Perry County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,976 | 6,191,814 | −215 |
| Households | 7,525±184 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.06 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,552±50 | 2,825,287 | −196 |
Perry County's population since 2000
From 18,132 in 2000 to 19,093 in 2025: up 5.3%. 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 Perry County?
Perry County holds 8 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Perryville with 8,593 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Perryville | 8,555 | $51,897 |
|---|---|---|
| ShakertowneGEOID 2966935 | 625 | $70,208 |
| BrewerGEOID 2908272 | 361 | $28,692 |
| Altenburg | 341 | $66,250 |
| Frohna | 245 | $62,083 |
| LithiumGEOID 2943346 | 92 | not published |
| LongtownGEOID 2943940 | 90 | not published |
| BiehleGEOID 2905320 | 47 | 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 Perry County?
The median resident of Perry County is 42.2 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 19.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.6%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Perry County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.2±0.5 | 39.0 | +1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 22.5%±0.4 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.7%±0.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% | 5.2% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.4%±0.7 pts | 76.3% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±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 | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.7%±1.0 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±1.4 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.4%±1.7 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.7%±1.8 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.5%±2.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.9%±2.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.9%±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 Perry County earn?
Half of Perry County's 7,525 households earn less than $62,981 a year (±$3,485), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $68,750 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $5,769 after inflation. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Perry County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,981±$3,485 | $70,702 | −$5,769 |
| Mean household income | $87,111±$7,346 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,632±$3,263 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9%±2.9 pts | 12.6% | +6.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3%±5.8 pts | 15.8% | +9.1 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.2%±2.1 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.8%±2.2 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 Perry County?
Owners occupy 76.5% of Perry County's occupied homes and renters 23.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $188,200 by its owner (±$8,182). The median renter pays $923 a month including utilities, and 45.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Perry County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $188,200±$8,182 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $923±$44 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.4%±8.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,258±$69 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.5%±3.4 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,552±50 | 2,825,287 | −196 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.4%±6.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.3%±3.3 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.1%±2.8 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±1.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.2%±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 Perry County building?
Builders took permits for 39 new housing units across Perry County in 2025 (7 single-family), 2.0 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 Perry County get to work?
84.3% of Perry County's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Perry County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.1%±2.0 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±1.6 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 84.3%±2.8 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±1.8 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6%±1.8 pts | 13.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min±1.7 | 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 Perry County's census tracts?
Perry County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,352 (Tract 4704) to $80,795 (Tract 4701).
| Tract 470129157470100 | 2,814±335 | $80,795 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 470229157470200 | 4,358±323 | $67,955 |
| Tract 470329157470300 | 4,322±341 | $58,542 |
| Tract 470429157470400 | 3,767±337 | $51,352 |
| Tract 470529157470500 | 3,715±323 | $66,779 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Perry County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 57th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 72nd of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 47th of 115 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 115 |
| Median home value | 38th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 60th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 42nd of 115 |
| Median age | 42nd 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 Perry 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.