Dent County, Missouri Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 70th-largest in Missouri

The population of Dent County, Missouri is 14,506 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 70th-largest county in Missouri. The median household income is $54,306, the median home value is $149,700, and the median age is 43.8.

The population of Dent County has declined 6.5% since 2010 (15,739 → 14,721), a -0.48% annualized rate.

Dent County within Missouri · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

14,506

Population

-0.48%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$54,306

Median Income

$149,700

Median Home Value

Dent County covers 753 sq mi of land at 19.3 people per square mile.

About Dent County, MO

Among US counties, Dent County stands out first on household income: a median of $54,306, below the US median of $78,538. Dent County is a county in Missouri with a population of 14,506.

Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $54,306, below the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.4%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $149,700, with typical rent around $615.

18.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national average of 35.0%. About 6.9% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.

Dent County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Dent County had a population of 15,739 in 2010 and 14,721 in 2024, a -6.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 15,745 in 2013. Average annual growth rate: -0.45%.

Dent County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

14,721

Population (2024)

15,739

Population (2010)

15,745

Peak (2013)

-0.45%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	15,739	-	-	estimate
2011	15,620	-119	-0.76%	estimate
2012	15,659	+39	+0.25%	estimate
2013	15,745	+86	+0.55%	estimate
2014	15,641	-104	-0.66%	estimate
2015	15,662	+21	+0.13%	estimate
2016	15,457	-205	-1.31%	estimate
2017	15,510	+53	+0.34%	estimate
2018	15,592	+82	+0.53%	estimate
2019	15,548	-44	-0.28%	estimate
2020	14,389	-1,159	-7.45%	estimate
2021	14,461	+72	+0.50%	estimate
2022	14,471	+10	+0.07%	estimate
2023	14,654	+183	+1.26%	estimate
2024	14,721	+67	+0.46%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	92.2%
Black or African American	0.6%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.4%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

43.8

Median Age

50.1%

Female

49.9%

Male

21.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.7%

5–9

5.3%

10–14

7.6%

15–19

5.9%

20–24

4.8%

25–34

10.1%

35–44

11.5%

45–54

12.0%

55–59

7.9%

60–64

7.4%

65–74

12.4%

75–84

6.5%

85+

2.9%

Children (under 15): 18.6% · Seniors (65+): 21.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$54,306$-14,614 vs state
Mean household income	$66,341
Per-capita income	$27,470
Poverty rate	8.4%
Unemployment rate	2.3%
Employment-to-population	52.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

31.7%

Education & health care

9.9%

Manufacturing

8.5%

Public administration

8.5%

Finance & real estate

5.9%

Construction

5.3%

Retail trade

4.6%

Agriculture

4.2%

The largest employment sector in Dent County is professional & business services, accounting for 31.7% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

1.8%

Carpool

82.2%

Public transit

6.9%

Work from home

21.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$149,700$-65,900 vs state

Median home value

$615

Median rent

76.8%

Homeownership rate

6,834

Total housing units

83.0%

Occupied

17.0%

Vacant

23.2%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

87.8%

With health insurance

88.1%

With broadband internet

29.3%

Foreign-born

12.0%

Veterans (18+)

21.8%

With a disability

98.9%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

85.6%

High School+

18.1%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Missouri

Kansas City (508,233)St. Louis (293,109)Springfield (169,432)Columbia (127,200)Independence (121,944)Lee's Summit (102,583)O'Fallon (92,697)St. Joseph (71,542)St. Charles (71,048)Blue Springs (59,416)All Missouri cities →

Other counties in Missouri

St. Louis County (996,618)Jackson County (717,021)St. Charles County (409,830)Greene County (301,121)St. Louis city (293,109)Clay County (255,566)Jefferson County (228,227)Boone County (185,874)Jasper County (123,532)Cass County (109,393)All Missouri counties →

Part of Missouri

Missouri demographic profile All Missouri data →

Metro areas in Missouri

St. Louis (2,809,414)Kansas City (2,202,006)Springfield (481,671)Columbia (212,850)Joplin (202,258)Jefferson City (150,147)St. Joseph (120,609)Cape Girardeau (97,813)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Dent County, Missouri has a population of 14,506 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 70th-largest county in Missouri. Population density is 19 people per square mile.

The population of Dent County has declined 6.5% since 2010 (15,739 → 14,721), a -0.48% annualized rate.

The median household income in Dent County, Missouri is $54,306, with mean (average) household income of $66,341 and per-capita income of $27,470. 8.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Dent County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (92.2%), Hispanic or Latino (2.4%), Black or African American (0.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Dent County, Missouri is 43.8 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.

The median home value in Dent County is $149,700 and median monthly rent is $615. 76.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 6,834 total housing units, 17.0% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Dent County, Missouri is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 31.7% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.3%.

Kansas City is among the largest cities associated with Dent County, Missouri, with a population of 508,233.