County · Missouri
Ray County, Missouri
Ray County, Missouri. Ray County had 23,398 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). It holds 15 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 29177.
Ray County is one of the 14 counties of the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
23,398
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 23,158 · ACS 2020-2024: 23,145
Median household income
$74,573
±$5,326 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$198,800
±$13,993 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$782
±$74 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
How many people live in Ray County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 23,158 residents in Ray County. The Census Bureau estimates 23,398 for July 1, 2025, up 1.0% since 2020, slower than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 23,145 over 569 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ray County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 23,145 | 6,191,814 | +270 |
| Households | 9,116±171 | 2,508,227 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.05 | 2.40 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,931±43 | 2,825,287 | −147 |
Ray County's population since 2000
From 23,354 in 2000 to 23,398 in 2025: up 0.2%. 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 Ray County?
Ray County holds 15 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Richmond with 5,968 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Richmond | 6,013 | $59,556 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawson | 2,541 | $65,941 |
| Wood Heights | 757 | $89,688 |
| Orrick | 753 | $73,000 |
| Hardin | 571 | $78,320 |
| Crystal Lakes | 390 | $69,107 |
| Henrietta | 278 | $60,417 |
| VibbardGEOID 2975994 | 215 | $94,250 |
| Excelsior EstatesGEOID 2923077 | 209 | $79,844 |
| HomesteadGEOID 2932806 | 192 | $66,250 |
| Excelsior Springs | 10,553 | $72,609 |
| CamdenGEOID 2910738 | 175 | $50,000 |
| RayvilleGEOID 2960824 | 157 | $2,500 or less |
| FlemingGEOID 2924562 | 114 | $53,750 |
| ElmiraGEOID 2922006 | 39 | $31,250 |
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 Ray County?
The median resident of Ray County is 41.9 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 19.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.0%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ray County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9±0.6 | 39.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.8%±0.2 pts | 22.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.3%±0.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 5.2% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.2%±0.5 pts | 76.3% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.4 pts | 10.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 2.1% | – |
| 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 | 3.0%±0.5 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.3 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.2%±1.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.1%±2.0 pts | 8.8% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7%±1.8 pts | 91.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.2%±2.1 pts | 32.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9%±1.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.2 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 Ray County earn?
Half of Ray County's 9,116 households earn less than $74,573 a year (±$5,326), against $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $76,250 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ray County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,573±$5,326 | $70,702 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,339±$7,186 | $96,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,510±$3,274 | $39,695 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.6%±2.3 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.7%±4.5 pts | 15.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.5%±2.1 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.0%±2.4 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 Ray County?
Owners occupy 77.3% of Ray County's occupied homes and renters 22.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $198,800 by its owner (±$13,993). The median renter pays $782 a month including utilities, and 31.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ray County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $198,800±$13,993 | $230,300 | +$34,256 |
| Median gross rent | $782±$74 | $1,033 | −$100 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.8%±6.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,404±$74 | $1,524 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.3%±2.5 pts | 68.1% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,931±43 | 2,825,287 | −147 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.3%±2.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.2%±2.2 pts | 70.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.4%±0.9 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 13.9%±1.9 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 Ray County building?
Builders took permits for 66 new housing units across Ray County in 2025 (64 single-family), 2.8 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 Ray County get to work?
76.8% of Ray County's workers drive alone and 10.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 34.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.4%.
| Measure | Ray County | Missouri | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.5%±1.9 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.4%±1.3 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.8%±3.1 pts | 74.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7%±2.0 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±1.0 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.6%±2.6 pts | 13.0% | +7.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 34.3 min±2.9 | 23.5 min | +4.7 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 Ray County's census tracts?
Ray County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,798 (Tract 802.01) to $87,788 (Tract 800.02).
| Tract 800.0129177080001 | 2,190±292 | $82,535 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 800.0229177080002 | 5,131±394 | $87,788 |
| Tract 80129177080100 | 3,087±303 | $79,429 |
| Tract 802.0129177080201 | 3,429±391 | $48,798 |
| Tract 802.0229177080202 | 3,231±326 | $72,515 |
| Tract 80329177080300 | 6,077±355 | $85,633 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ray County compare with Missouri's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 49th of 115 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 66th of 115 |
| Residents per square mile | 46th of 115 |
| Median household income | 14th of 115 |
| Median home value | 31st of 115 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 115 |
| Poverty rate | 77th of 115 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 84th of 115 |
| Median age | 47th 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 Ray 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.