Perry County, Missouri Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 57th-largest in Missouri
The population of Perry County, Missouri is 18,947 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 57th-largest county in Missouri. The median household income is $63,356, the median home value is $189,400, and the median age is 41.6.
The population of Perry County has grown 0.9% since 2010 (18,931 → 19,100), a +0.06% annualized rate.
18,947
Population
+0.06%
Annual growth
40
People / sq mi
$63,356
Median Income
$189,400
Median Home Value
Perry County covers 474 sq mi of land at 39.9 people per square mile.
About Perry County, MO
Perry County is a county in Missouri with a population of 18,947. It ranks #57 among counties in Missouri by population. The median age is 41.6, older than the national median. The population is 49.7% male and 50.3% female.
The median household income in Perry County is $63,356, below the US median of $74,580. 5.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $189,400, with monthly rent averaging $923. The homeownership rate of 77.6% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Perry County reflects 22.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 4.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 21.4 minutes each way.
Perry County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Perry County had a population of 18,931 in 2010 and 19,100 in 2024, a 0.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 19,284 in 2018. Average annual growth rate: 0.06%.
19,100
Population (2024)
18,931
Population (2010)
19,284
Peak (2018)
0.06%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,931 |
| 2011 | 19,000 |
| 2012 | 18,991 |
| 2013 | 19,047 |
| 2014 | 19,116 |
| 2015 | 19,066 |
| 2016 | 19,224 |
| 2017 | 19,267 |
| 2018 | 19,284 |
| 2019 | 19,164 |
| 2020 | 18,971 |
| 2021 | 18,975 |
| 2022 | 18,882 |
| 2023 | 18,950 |
| 2024 | 19,100 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 94.5% |
| Black or African American | 0.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
41.6
Median Age
50.3%
Female
49.7%
Male
19.3%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 18.2% · Seniors (65+): 19.3%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $63,356$-5,564 vs state |
| Mean household income | $82,644 |
| Per-capita income | $32,616 |
| Poverty rate | 5.5%-2.9% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% |
| Employment-to-population | 59.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Perry County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.4% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
1.6%
Carpool
84.9%
Public transit
4.6%
Work from home
21.4 min
Avg commute
Housing
$189,400$-26,200 vs state
Median home value
$923
Median rent
77.6%
Homeownership rate
8,507
Total housing units
86.1%
Occupied
13.9%
Vacant
22.4%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
93.6%
With health insurance
89.5%
With broadband internet
20.5%
Foreign-born
8.5%
Veterans (18+)
15.1%
With a disability
96.0%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
87.9%
High School+
22.1%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in Missouri
Other counties in Missouri
Part of Missouri
Metro areas in Missouri
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Perry County, Missouri has a population of 18,947 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 57th-largest county in Missouri. Population density is 40 people per square mile.
The population of Perry County has grown 0.9% since 2010 (18,931 → 19,100), a +0.06% annualized rate.
The median household income in Perry County, Missouri is $63,356, with mean (average) household income of $82,644 and per-capita income of $32,616. 5.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Perry County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (94.5%), Black or African American (0.8%), Hispanic or Latino (0.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Perry County, Missouri is 41.6 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
The median home value in Perry County is $189,400 and median monthly rent is $923. 77.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 8,507 total housing units, 13.9% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Perry County, Missouri is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.4% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.
Kansas City is among the largest cities associated with Perry County, Missouri, with a population of 508,233.
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Statewide data for Missouri
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Missouri
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.