County · Missouri
Pulaski County, Missouri
Pulaski County, Missouri. Pulaski County had 54,442 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.9% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 13 census tracts. GEOID 29169.
Pulaski County is the county of the Fort Leonard Wood, MO micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
54,442
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 53,955 · ACS 2020-2024: 53,894
Median household income
$64,466
±$5,463 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$189,800
±$13,331 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$1,112
±$44 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Pulaski County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 53,955 residents in Pulaski County. The Census Bureau estimates 54,442 for July 1, 2025, up 0.9% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 53,894 over 547 square miles of land.
| Measure | Pulaski County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 53,894 | 6,191,814 | +1,469 |
| Households | 16,851±445 | 2,508,227 | +1,697 |
| Average household size | 2.61±0.07 | 2.40 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 19,431±66 | 2,825,287 | +337 |
Pulaski County's population since 2000
From 41,165 in 2000 to 54,442 in 2025: up 32.3%. 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 Pulaski County?
Pulaski County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Fort Leonard Wood with 15,432 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fort Leonard Wood | 15,959 | $67,772 |
|---|---|---|
| Waynesville | 5,406 | $56,836 |
| St. Robert | 5,192 | $62,641 |
| Richland | 1,734 | $34,268 |
| Dixon | 1,232 | $49,904 |
| Crocker | 929 | $58,207 |
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 Pulaski County?
The median resident of Pulaski County is 27.8 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 9.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 68.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 11.5%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Pulaski County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27.8±0.5 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9% | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.7%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 11.5% | 5.2% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 68.5%±0.4 pts | 76.3% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.1%±0.8 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.4 pts | 2.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.3%±0.9 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8%±0.8 pts | 4.5% | −1.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.9%±1.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 18.9%±1.7 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7%±1.5 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.4%±1.3 pts | 8.8% | −2.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±1.1 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.8%±2.4 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5%±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 20.5%±2.0 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 Pulaski County earn?
Half of Pulaski County's 16,851 households earn less than $64,466 a year (±$5,463), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $65,832 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Pulaski County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,466±$5,463 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,072±$4,781 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,154±$1,467 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.7%±2.3 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3%±4.7 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4%±1.7 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.4%±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 Pulaski County?
Owners occupy 61.2% of Pulaski County's occupied homes and renters 38.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,800 by its owner (±$13,331). The median renter pays $1,112 a month including utilities, and 26.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Pulaski County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $189,800±$13,331 | $230,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,112±$44 | $1,033 | −$110 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 26.9%±5.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,366±$52 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.2%±3.2 pts | 68.1% | +11.9 pts |
| Housing units | 19,431±66 | 2,825,287 | +337 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.0%±1.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.8%±4.0 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.2%±3.1 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 9.8%±1.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.8%±1.3 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 Pulaski County building?
Builders took permits for 99 new housing units across Pulaski County in 2025 (99 single-family), 1.8 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 Pulaski County get to work?
61.8% of Pulaski County's workers drive alone and 15.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Pulaski County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.9%±2.3 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 61.8%±2.8 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.1%±2.0 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 12.7%±3.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.7%±3.3 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.5 min±1.4 | 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 Pulaski County's census tracts?
Pulaski County is divided into 13 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,250 (Tract 4705.02) to $77,258 (Tract 4704.01).
| Tract 4701.0129169470101 | 4,681±753 | $60,139 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4701.0229169470102 | 2,571±496 | $60,331 |
| Tract 4702.8629169470286 | 6,014±801 | $73,704 |
| Tract 4702.8829169470288 | 4,526±587 | $62,443 |
| Tract 4702.8929169470289 | 3,144±494 | $57,112 |
| Tract 4703.8929169470389 | 8,437±227 | $59,702 |
| Tract 4703.9029169470390 | 1,949±365 | $61,982 |
| Tract 4704.0129169470401 | 5,228±839 | $77,258 |
| Tract 4704.0229169470402 | 8,192±1,297 | $72,208 |
| Tract 4705.0129169470501 | 2,649±452 | $54,362 |
| Tract 4705.0229169470502 | 2,342±539 | $41,250 |
| Tract 4706.0129169470601 | 2,010±302 | $72,650 |
| Tract 4706.0229169470602 | 2,151±421 | $72,321 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Pulaski County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 68th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 115 |
| Median household income | 35th of 115 |
| Median home value | 37th of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 75th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21st of 115 |
| Median age | 115th 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 Pulaski 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.