County · Missouri
Phelps County, Missouri
Phelps County, Missouri. Phelps County had 45,247 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 29161.
Phelps County is the county of the Rolla, MO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,247
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 44,638 · ACS 2020-2024: 45,194
Median household income
$58,396
±$3,528 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$206,500
±$10,558 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$798
±$27 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Phelps County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 44,638 residents in Phelps County. The Census Bureau estimates 45,247 for July 1, 2025, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 45,194 over 672 square miles of land.
| Measure | Phelps County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 45,194 | 6,191,814 | +564 |
| Households | 17,329±427 | 2,508,227 | −652 |
| Average household size | 2.43±0.06 | 2.40 | +0.12 |
| Housing units | 20,295±39 | 2,825,287 | no clear change |
Phelps County's population since 2000
From 39,825 in 2000 to 45,247 in 2025: up 13.6%. 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 Phelps County?
Phelps County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Rolla with 20,588 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Phelps County?
The median resident of Phelps County is 35.8 years old; 21.1% are under 18 and 17.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 5.0%. 4.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Phelps County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8±0.3 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.1% | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.1%±0.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 5.2% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.9%±1.0 pts | 76.3% | −3.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.4 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.3 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±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 | 5.0%±1.0 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.2%±0.5 pts | 4.5% | −1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.8%±0.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.5%±1.0 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.3%±1.4 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1%±1.3 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.0%±1.5 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 32.4%±2.2 pts | 32.4% | +3.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.3%±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±0.8 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 Phelps County earn?
Half of Phelps County's 17,329 households earn less than $58,396 a year (±$3,528), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $54,340 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Phelps County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,396±$3,528 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $77,261±$3,740 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,712±$1,424 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.8%±1.9 pts | 12.6% | −3.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.3%±4.3 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.1%±1.9 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.3%±1.7 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 Phelps County?
Owners occupy 61.7% of Phelps County's occupied homes and renters 38.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $206,500 by its owner (±$10,558). The median renter pays $798 a month including utilities, and 35.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Phelps County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $206,500±$10,558 | $230,300 | +$40,356 |
| Median gross rent | $798±$27 | $1,033 | −$97 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.8%±4.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,383±$73 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.7%±2.3 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,295±39 | 2,825,287 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±2.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.2%±2.5 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 8.7%±1.5 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.9%±1.5 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 Phelps County building?
Builders took permits for 101 new housing units across Phelps County in 2025 (59 single-family), 2.2 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 Phelps County get to work?
71.7% of Phelps County's workers drive alone and 7.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.9%.
| Measure | Phelps County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.1%±1.6 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.9%±1.2 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7%±3.2 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.9%±2.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 4.0%±1.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.4%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | +4.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.1 min±1.3 | 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 Phelps County's census tracts?
Phelps County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $25,702 (Tract 8903.02) to $87,131 (Tract 8910).
| Tract 890129161890100 | 4,980±662 | $69,071 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 890229161890200 | 5,038±501 | $57,942 |
| Tract 8903.0129161890301 | 3,699±446 | $61,500 |
| Tract 8903.0229161890302 | 3,580±572 | $25,702 |
| Tract 8904.0129161890401 | 3,950±446 | $29,281 |
| Tract 8904.0229161890402 | 1,975±270 | $31,144 |
| Tract 890529161890500 | 3,433±483 | $62,181 |
| Tract 890629161890600 | 2,927±411 | $64,167 |
| Tract 890729161890700 | 2,888±454 | $71,719 |
| Tract 890829161890800 | 3,615±517 | $30,493 |
| Tract 890929161890900 | 3,868±491 | $64,459 |
| Tract 891029161891000 | 5,241±801 | $87,131 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Phelps County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 23rd of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 59th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 115 |
| Median household income | 64th of 115 |
| Median home value | 27th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 41st of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 115 |
| Median age | 109th 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 Phelps 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.