County · Missouri
Pettis County, Missouri
Pettis County, Missouri. Pettis County had 44,254 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.9% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 29159.
Pettis County is the county of the Sedalia, MO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
44,254
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 42,980 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,397
Median household income
$60,430
±$3,404 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$166,300
±$6,260 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$885
±$35 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Pettis County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 42,980 residents in Pettis County. The Census Bureau estimates 44,254 for July 1, 2025, up 2.9% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 43,397 over 682 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pettis County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 43,397 | 6,191,814 | +1,042 |
| Households | 16,996±294 | 2,508,227 | +963 |
| Average household size | 2.50±0.04 | 2.40 | −0.08 |
| Housing units | 18,673±32 | 2,825,287 | +394 |
Pettis County's population since 2000
From 39,403 in 2000 to 44,254 in 2025: up 12.3%. 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 Pettis County?
Pettis County holds 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Sedalia with 22,621 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Sedalia | 21,725 | $50,990 |
|---|---|---|
| La Monte | 1,014 | $65,648 |
| Smithton | 506 | $55,288 |
| Green Ridge | 468 | $62,974 |
| HoustoniaGEOID 2933256 | 198 | $39,337 |
| HughesvilleGEOID 2933652 | 150 | $51,250 |
| Windsor | 2,775 | $49,783 |
| IoniaGEOID 2935306 | 71 | $16,875 |
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 Pettis County?
The median resident of Pettis County is 38.2 years old; 25.1% are under 18 and 17.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.9%. 7.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pettis County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2±0.4 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.1%±0.1 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.3%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.9% | 5.2% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.1%±0.3 pts | 76.3% | −2.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.4 pts | 10.9% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 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 | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.2%±0.6 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.2%±1.1 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.2%±1.6 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.1%±0.9 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4%±1.4 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.6%±1.5 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.6%±1.2 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.4%±1.8 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3%±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±1.1 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 Pettis County earn?
Half of Pettis County's 16,996 households earn less than $60,430 a year (±$3,404), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $56,805 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 15.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pettis County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,430±$3,404 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $76,820±$3,622 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,640±$1,385 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 15.6%±1.9 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.5%±4.3 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.4%±1.4 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.9%±1.6 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 Pettis County?
Owners occupy 69.1% of Pettis County's occupied homes and renters 30.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $166,300 by its owner (±$6,260). The median renter pays $885 a month including utilities, and 32.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pettis County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $166,300±$6,260 | $230,300 | +$19,724 |
| Median gross rent | $885±$35 | $1,033 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.8%±5.2 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,211±$42 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.1%±2.2 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 18,673±32 | 2,825,287 | +394 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.7%±3.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 77.5%±1.6 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.8%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.5%±1.6 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 Pettis County building?
Builders took permits for 117 new housing units across Pettis County in 2025 (29 single-family), 2.6 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 Pettis County get to work?
76.0% of Pettis County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.8%.
| Measure | Pettis County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.1%±1.7 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8%±1.0 pts | 4.0% | −2.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.0%±2.2 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.8%±1.9 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±1.2 pts | 13.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.7 min±0.9 | 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 Pettis County's census tracts?
Pettis County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,816 (Tract 4807) to $82,708 (Tract 4802).
| Tract 480129159480100 | 3,839±481 | $70,293 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 480229159480200 | 6,301±540 | $82,708 |
| Tract 480329159480300 | 4,870±460 | $64,724 |
| Tract 480429159480400 | 4,412±483 | $75,583 |
| Tract 480529159480500 | 3,117±389 | $48,725 |
| Tract 480629159480600 | 2,038±310 | $47,551 |
| Tract 480729159480700 | 3,609±341 | $43,816 |
| Tract 480829159480800 | 3,105±346 | $57,005 |
| Tract 480929159480900 | 3,066±385 | $50,875 |
| Tract 481029159481000 | 4,780±531 | $64,224 |
| Tract 481129159481100 | 4,260±396 | $53,105 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pettis County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 26th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 40th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 30th of 115 |
| Median household income | 57th of 115 |
| Median home value | 62nd of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 26th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 46th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th 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 Pettis 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.