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Cooper County, Missouri

Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
County in MO, US
Last updated
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers

Population

16,824
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

40.5
years ∙ half population younger than 40.5, half older

Diversity Index

Low High
22.4%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

0.7%
foreign-born population
99.3%Native
0.7% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Cooper County is a county in Missouri, United States.
Location
County in MO, US
Co-ordinates
DEC38.847093° N, 92.810069° W
DMS38° 50′ 49.53″ N, 92° 48′ 36.25″ W

Population Density & area

29.79/sq mi (11.5/km²)
Total Area
569.1 sq mi (1,474.2 km²)
Land Area
564.7 sq mi (1,462.7 km²) · 99.22%
Water Area
4.4 sq mi (11.5 km²) · 0.78%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

50.4% male
Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%
males per 100 females
Cooper County 101.6
Missouri 97.2
United States 98

Nativity

0.7%
foreign-born population
99.3%Native
0.7% Foreign-born
% Foreign-born
Cooper County 0.7%
Missouri 4.5%
United States 14.1%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

40.5
years ∙ half population younger than 40.5, half older
Cooper County
40.5
Missouri
39
United States
38.9

Dependency ratio

Low High
72.7
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Cooper County 72.7
Missouri 67.3
United States 64.4

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group
Median age
Cooper County Missouri United States
Age Group
Children (Under 18) 22.3% 22.3% 22%
Working age (18-64) 57.9% 59.8% 60.8%
Senior (65+) 19.8% 17.9% 17.2%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio 72.7 67.3 64.4
Child dependency ratio 38.5 37.4 36.1
Old-age dependency ratio 34.2 29.9 28.3
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White
87.8%
Black
5.6%
Asian
0.1%
Hispanic
2.1%
Other
4.4%
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

Low High
22.4%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Cooper County 22.4%
Missouri 40%
United States 61.4%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Cooper County population
Cooper County Missouri United States
Hispanic or Latino 2.1% 5.2% 19.3%
Mexican 1% 3.2% 11.3%
Puerto Rican 0% 0.4% 1.8%
Cuban 0% 0.1% 0.8%
Other Hispanic / Latino 1.1% 1.4% 5.5%
Not Hispanic or Latino 97.9% 94.8% 80.7%
One race 93.8% 90% 76.4%
White 87.8% 76.3% 57.4%
Black or African American 5.6% 10.9% 11.9%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.1% 0.2% 0.5%
Asian 0.1% 2.1% 5.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0% 0.1% 0.2%
Some Other Race 0.1% 0.4% 0.6%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 4.1% 4.8% 4.3%
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

67.9% family
Family 67.9%
Non family 32.1%
% family households
Cooper County 67.9%
Missouri 62.1%
United States 64.2%

Average household size

2.49
persons per household
Cooper County
2.49
Missouri
2.4
United States
2.53

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households
Percentage of Cooper County population
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total households 6,246 2,508,227 129,227,496
Average houshold size 2.49 2.4 2.53
Family households 4,239 1,558,009 82,990,528
Average family size 3.02 3.03 3.14
Married couple family 3,261 1,166,368 60,637,388
Other families 978 391,641 22,353,140
Male householder 357 115,975 6,572,819
Female householder 621 275,666 15,780,321
Non-family households 2,007 950,218 46,236,968
One-person households 1,756 781,034 37,140,836
Male householder 856 351,809 16,871,444
Senior (65+) living alone 331 107,203 5,225,110
Female householder 900 429,225 20,269,392
Senior (65+) living alone 575 215,073 10,089,070
Other living arrangements 251 169,184 9,096,132

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

7,300
housing units
Cooper County 7,300
Missouri 2,825,287
United States 143,775,355

Occupancy status

85.6% occupied
Occupied 85.6%
Vacant 14.4%
vacancy rate
Cooper County 14.4%
Missouri 11.2%
United States 10.1%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

84.2%
Single family houses
Single family houses
84.2%
Apartments in multi-unit structures
9.4%
Mobile homes
6.4%
Boat, RV, van, etc
0.1%

Median Year Built

1975
Half of houses were built before 1975, and half after.
Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier
21.7%
Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969
22.6%
Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999
37.3%
Modern ∙ 2000 or later
18.6%
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
Cooper County Missouri United States
Rooms per unit
Median rooms 6 5.7 5.5
1–3 rooms 8.4% 11.5% 15.1%
4–6 rooms 49.7% 53.4% 51.6%
7+ rooms 41.8% 35% 33.4%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio 2% 2% 2.9%
1 bedroom 7.6% 9.7% 10.9%
2 bedrooms 26.9% 26.1% 25%
3 bedrooms 41.2% 41.3% 38.7%
4+ bedrooms 22.3% 20.9% 22.4%
At a glance
Median year built 1975 1979 1981
Total housing units 7,300 2,825,287 143,775,355
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

75.7% owners
Renter-occupied 24.3%
Owner-occupied 75.7%
homeownership rate
Cooper County 75.7%
Missouri 68.1%
United States 65.2%

Average household size

2.55
Owner-occupied
2.32
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Cooper County 2.55
Missouri 2.54
United States 2.64

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total occupied units 6,246 2,508,227 129,227,496
Year moved in
2020 or later 19.4% 24.7% 24.8%
2010 to 2019 40.3% 40% 39.6%
2000 to 2009 16% 16.5% 16.4%
1999 or earlier 24.2% 18.8% 19.1%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer 99.1% 98.3% 96.6%
1.01 to 1.50 0.5% 1.2% 2.2%
1.51 or more 0.4% 0.5% 1.2%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles 4.6% 6.6% 8.4%
1 vehicle 26.7% 33% 33.1%
2 vehicles 36.6% 37.5% 36.6%
3 or more vehicles 32.1% 22.8% 21.9%
House heating fuel used
Gas 51% 57.7% 51.4%
Electricity 42.8% 38.8% 41.3%
Solar 0% 0.1% 0.3%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc 0% 0.2% 3.9%
All other fuels 6% 2.8% 2%
No fuel used 0.1% 0.4% 1.2%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing 1.1% 0.4% 0.4%
Lacking complete kitchen 1.2% 0.8% 0.8%
No telephone service available 1.2% 0.9% 0.9%
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$203,500
owner-occupied units
Median value(USD)
Cooper County
$203,500
Missouri
$230,300
United States
$332,700

Housing Cost Burden

20.7%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
% Cost-Burdened Households
Owners with a mortgage
20.7%
Owners without a mortgage
10.6%
Renters
36.9%
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
Cooper County Missouri United States
Property value
Median Value $203,500 $230,300 $332,700
Under $100,000 16.5% 15.9% 11.4%
$100,000 - $200,000 32.1% 25.7% 15.8%
$200,000 - $300,000 27.9% 24.1% 17.8%
$300,000 - $500,000 16.8% 23.6% 26.9%
$500,000 - $1,000,000 6% 9.1% 20.9%
$1,000,000 and more 0.7% 1.6% 7.1%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage 57.5% 60.2% 60.6%
Without a mortgage 42.5% 39.8% 39.4%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage $1,269 $1,524 $1,963
Without a mortgage $512 $546 $638
Gross rent
Median rent $782 $1,033 $1,413

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

24%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Cooper County 24%
Missouri 32.4%
United States 35.7%

Adults without a high school diploma

9.6%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Cooper County 9.6%
Missouri 8.2%
United States 10.4%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

3,330
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
Nursery / Preschool
6.5%
K–12
77.7%
College / Undergraduate
13%
Graduate / Professional
2.9%

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

22.7%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Cooper County
22.7%
Missouri
38.1%
United States
40.9%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total enrolled (age 3+) 3,330 1,440,482 80,089,790
Nursery / preschool 6.5% 6.3% 5.7%
K–12 77.7% 69.4% 67.6%
Kindergarten 5.9% 5.1% 5%
Elementary: Grades 1–4 24.2% 20.5% 19.8%
Elementary: Grades 5–8 21.7% 21.7% 21%
High School: Grades 9–12 25.8% 22% 21.7%
College or graduate school 15.8% 24.3% 26.7%
College, undergraduate 13% 18.7% 21%
Graduate, professional school 2.9% 5.6% 5.8%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds 22.7% 38.1% 40.9%
School type
Public school 80.5% 80.3% 82%
Private school 19.5% 19.7% 18%
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

11,633
population 25 years and over
Total adults (25+)
Less than 9th grade
3.6%
9th-12th, no diploma
6%
HS graduate
38.9%
Some college no degree
17.4%
Associates degree
10.1%
Bachelors degree
15.6%
Graduate or professional degree
8.4%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
% male · % female
Less than 9th grade
60.8% · 39.2%
9th-12th, no diploma
57.1% · 42.9%
HS graduate
59% · 41%
Some college no degree
48.6% · 51.4%
Associates degree
34.8% · 65.2%
Bachelors degree
38.3% · 61.7%
Graduate or professional degree
45.3% · 54.7%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
Cooper County Missouri United States
Population (25+) 11,633 4,243,115 230,807,303
Less than 9th grade 3.6% 2.7% 4.7%
9th–12th, no diploma 6% 5.5% 5.7%
High school diploma or GED 38.9% 30.2% 26%
Some college, no degree 17.4% 20.8% 19.1%
Associate's degree 10.1% 8.4% 8.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 24% 32.4% 35.7%
Bachelor's degree 15.6% 19.8% 21.6%
Graduate or professional 8.4% 12.6% 14.1%
High School or higher 90.3% 91.9% 89.6%
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$44,568
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Less than HS graduate
$29,600
HS graduate
$38,777
Some college or associates
$42,570
Bachelors degree
$49,760
Graduate or professional degree
$62,813

Poverty Rate

4.1%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Less than HS graduate
22.2%
HS graduate
9.2%
Some college or associates
13.6%
Bachelors degree or higher
4.1%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
Cooper County Missouri United States
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings $44,568 $49,030 $52,696
Less than high school graduate $29,600 $32,024 $32,485
High school graduate (includes equivalency) $38,777 $38,607 $40,153
Some college or associate's degree $42,570 $44,914 $47,260
Bachelor's degree $49,760 $61,818 $70,044
Graduate or professional degree $62,813 $75,454 $90,720
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate 22.2% 26.4% 24.2%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 9.2% 14.4% 14.4%
Some college or associate's degree 13.6% 9.7% 9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher 4.1% 4.3% 4.5%

Economy & Employment

Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance

Labor Force

Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy

Adult Population (16+)

13,549
residents 16 years and over
Cooper County 13,549
Missouri 4,975,226
United States 270,181,636

Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)

Low High
55.5%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Cooper County 55.5%
Missouri 60.2%
United States 59.7%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force

Median Age of Workers (16–64)

40.2
years ∙ half are younger than 40.2, half older
Cooper County
40.2
Missouri
39.3
United States
39.6
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.

Male-Female Labor Force Split

48.8% male
Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Cooper County 51.2
Missouri 48.1
United States 47.2

Labor force composition

Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Cooper County
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total labor force 7,853 3,140,747 171,493,276
Age distribution
16 to 19 years 4.5% 4.8% 4%
20 to 24 years 12% 10% 9.6%
25 to 29 years 10.3% 10.9% 11%
30 to 34 years 10% 11.2% 11.5%
35 to 44 years 18.6% 21.3% 21.6%
45 to 54 years 19.1% 18.9% 19.5%
55 to 59 years 11% 9% 9%
60 to 64 years 8% 7.6% 7.4%
65 to 74 years 5.1% 5.4% 5.4%
75 years and over 1.4% 1% 1%
Gender composition
Male 48.8% 51.9% 52.8%
Female 51.2% 48.1% 47.2%
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)

58%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Cooper County
58%
Missouri
63.1%
United States
63.5%
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.

Participation Gap · Male vs Female

56.5%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
59.4%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Cooper County 59.4%
Missouri 59.3%
United States 58.9%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.

AGE & GENDER LFPR

Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Cooper County
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
Cooper County Missouri United States
LFPR by age group
16 to 19 years 44.7% 46.2% 39.4%
20 to 24 years 83.4% 77.4% 75.4%
25 to 29 years 77.7% 85.6% 84.1%
30 to 34 years 76% 84.6% 84%
35 to 44 years 73.3% 84.2% 83.6%
45 to 54 years 77.2% 82.2% 82.1%
55 to 59 years 77.5% 72.7% 74.1%
60 to 64 years 53.4% 57.1% 59.2%
65 to 74 years 20.7% 25.7% 27.1%
75 years and over 8% 7% 7.3%
LFPR by gender
Male 56.5% 67.2% 68.2%
Female 59.4% 59.3% 58.9%
LFPR by race, ethnicity
White 58.3% 62.5% 62%
Black or African American 45.8% 63.5% 63.5%
American Indian and Alaska Native 45.5% 60.9% 62.3%
Asian 38.1% 69.4% 66.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 66.6% 65.3%
Some Other Race 23.5% 71.1% 67.7%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 72.3% 66.8% 67.8%
Hispanic or Latino 59.7% 71.6% 68.3%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions

Unemployment Rate

4.3%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Cooper County
4.3%
Missouri
4%
United States
5.2%
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE

2.9%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
5.7%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Cooper County 2.9%
Missouri 4%
United States 5.3%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.

CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Unemployment Rate in Cooper County
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
Cooper County Missouri United States
By age group
16 to 19 years 18.5% 11.4% 14.3%
20 to 24 years 8.4% 6.6% 9.1%
25 to 29 years 9.3% 4.5% 6%
30 to 34 years 1% 3.7% 5%
35 to 44 years 2.8% 3.3% 4.3%
45 to 54 years 1.3% 3.1% 3.9%
55 to 59 years 4.4% 2.8% 3.8%
60 to 64 years 1.6% 2.5% 3.7%
65 to 74 years 0.2% 2.7% 3.9%
75 years and over 2.7% 2.6% 3.9%
By gender
Male 2.9% 4% 5.3%
Female 5.7% 4% 5.2%
By race, ethnicity
White 3% 3.5% 4.3%
Black or African American 8% 7.5% 8.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0% 3.7% 7.8%
Asian 0% 3.3% 4.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 4.2% 7.2%
Some Other Race 0% 5.2% 6.3%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 22% 5.2% 6.3%
Hispanic or Latino 41.8% 4.2% 6.2%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.

Job Market

Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute

Total employed population

7,514
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Cooper County 7,514
Missouri 2,995,281
United States 161,297,155
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Full-time employment rate

74%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Cooper County 74%
Missouri 72%
United States 72%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Cooper County, Missouri workforce and shape the local economy

Top Industry

About 1 in 7 workers
are employed in Retail trade
Top 3 Industries % of total workers
Retail trade 13.8%
Health care and social assistance 13.4%
Educational services 10%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Top industry by gender

Male
Construction employs the most men — 17.6% of 3,722 employed male workers
Female
Health care and social assistance employs the most women — 23.1% of 3,792 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.

Industries Distribution Table

Employment Distribution by Industries in Cooper County
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total employed population 7,514 2,995,281 161,297,155
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture 4.1% 1.5% 1.2%
Mining and logging 0.1% 0.2% 0.4%
Construction 9% 6.8% 6.9%
Manufacturing 8.4% 11.3% 9.9%
Wholesale trade 1.9% 2.3% 2.2%
Retail trade 13.8% 11.3% 10.8%
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing 3.3% 4.9% 5.1%
Utilities 1.3% 1% 0.9%
Information 0.8% 1.5% 1.9%
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance 5.4% 5.6% 4.8%
Real estate and leasing 0.8% 1.6% 1.8%
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services 3.8% 6.6% 8.3%
Corporate management 0% 0.1% 0.1%
Administrative and waste services 4.2% 3.7% 4.2%
Education and health services
Educational services 10% 9.3% 9.4%
Health care and social assistance 13.4% 15.1% 14.1%
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation 2.1% 1.8% 2.1%
Accommodation and food services 5.1% 6.3% 6.6%
Other services 5.7% 4.8% 4.7%
Government 6.6% 4.3% 4.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed

Employment by employer type

69.8% Private
Government 19.4%
Private Employment 69.8%
Self Employed 10.8%
Private employment (%)
Cooper County 69.8%
Missouri 77.6%
United States 75.3%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.

Self-employed workers

10.8%
of the workers are self-employed
Category % of total workers
Incorporated business 2.7%
Unincorporated business 8.1%
Unpaid family workers 0%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.

Type of employer

Employment distribution by employer type in Cooper County
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
Cooper County Missouri United States
Private wage & salary 69.8% 77.6% 75.3%
For-profit company employees 60.9% 67.2% 66.5%
Not-for-profit employees 8.9% 10.4% 8.8%
Self-employed 10.8% 9.2% 10.1%
Incorporated business 2.7% 3.3% 4%
Unincorporated business 8.1% 5.7% 6%
Unpaid family workers 0% 0.2% 0.2%
Government 19.4% 13.2% 14.5%
Local government 10.6% 6.7% 7.6%
State government 7.4% 3.9% 4.2%
Federal government 1.3% 2.6% 2.7%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes

Work From Home Rate

6.4% WFH
Work from home 6.4%
Commute to work 93.6%
Working from home (%)
Cooper County 6.4%
Missouri 13%
United States 15.1%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.

Travel Time to Work

27 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Cooper County 27
Missouri 23.5
United States 26.4
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.

Commute Patterns

Means of transportation and travel time to work in Cooper County
Employed residents 16+.
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total employed population 7,514 2,995,281 161,297,155
Worked from home 6.4% 13% 15.1%
Drove Alone 79.6% 74.8% 68.8%
Carpooled 10% 8.1% 8.5%
Public transportation 0.4% 0.8% 3.2%
Walked 1.6% 1.8% 2.4%
Bicycle, taxi & other means 1.9% 1.4% 2%
Commuting population 6,966 2,574,505 135,071,605
Mean travel time (minutes) 27 23.5 26.4
Less than 5 minutes 6.4% 3.7% 3%
5 to 14 minutes 27.1% 26.1% 23%
15 to 29 minutes 25.4% 39.1% 36.6%
30 to 44 minutes 25.9% 19.5% 20.8%
45 to 59 minutes 6.8% 6.2% 8%
60 to 89 minutes 4.4% 3.5% 5.8%
90 minutes or more 3.9% 1.9% 2.7%
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.

Wages & Earnings

What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer

Median Earnings

$50,795
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Cooper County $50,795
Missouri $56,112
United States $61,859
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.

Gender earnings gap

82 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Cooper County 82¢
Missouri 80¢
United States 82¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Cooper County, Missouri workers are employed

Highest-paying industry

$68,224
Workers in Utilities report the highest median earnings
Top Industries Median annual earnings
Utilities $68,224
Wholesale trade $67,321
Construction $62,415
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Highest-paying industry by gender

Male
Men working in Wholesale trade earn the highest median earnings — $71,250, compared to $56,412 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Construction earn the highest median earnings — $65,250, compared to $46,131 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.

Earnings Distribution Table

Earnings by industry in Cooper County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
Cooper County Missouri United States
Median Earnings $50,795 $56,112 $61,859
Agriculture and mining
Agriculture $56,583 $49,131 $45,892
Mining and logging $— $73,499 $86,268
Construction $62,415 $60,924 $59,718
Manufacturing $49,063 $59,823 $65,243
Wholesale trade $67,321 $62,116 $64,875
Retail trade $42,026 $41,922 $44,926
Transportation and utilities
Transportation and warehousing $60,078 $59,213 $58,006
Utilities $68,224 $86,270 $91,656
Information $46,875 $68,317 $87,180
Financial activities
Finance and Insurance $60,938 $72,753 $83,271
Real estate and leasing $43,333 $60,216 $65,651
Professional and business services
Professional and technical services $59,833 $82,861 $99,546
Corporate management $— $95,189 $99,442
Administrative and waste services $36,667 $45,976 $47,120
Education and health services
Educational services $49,375 $54,084 $62,720
Health care and social assistance $46,667 $52,249 $58,751
Leisure and hospitality
Arts and recreation $34,792 $45,108 $51,274
Accommodation and food services $27,450 $34,556 $36,287
Other services $60,139 $47,522 $49,232
Government $48,344 $59,421 $75,907
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed

Highest-paying employer type

$58,625
Workers in Federal government roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types Median annual earnings
Federal government $58,625
State government $55,208
Nonprofit organization $55,156
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.

Highest-paying employer type by gender

Male
Men in Own incorporated business roles earn the highest median earnings — $68,333, compared to $56,412 for all employed men
Female
Women in Federal government roles earn the highest median earnings — $58,625, compared to $46,131 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.

Earnings by employer type

Earnings by employer type in Cooper County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
Cooper County Missouri United States
Private wage & salary
For-profit company employees $52,005 $56,083 $60,496
Not-for-profit employees $55,156 $59,344 $65,589
Self-employed
Incorporated business $55,000 $64,632 $73,960
Unincorporated business $45,137 $46,934 $47,798
Government
Local government $45,299 $53,142 $63,995
State government $55,208 $51,426 $65,197
Federal government $58,625 $71,753 $83,481
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Cooper County, Missouri workers hold

Highest-paying occupation

$78,750
Workers in Arts, design and media occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups Median annual earnings
Arts, design and media $78,750
Computer and math $70,109
Management $67,578
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Highest-paying occupation by gender

Male
Among employed men, workers in Doctors, nurses and medical professionals occupations earn the highest median earnings — $145,000 versus $56,412 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Law enforcement occupations earn the highest median earnings — $73,000 versus $46,131 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Earnings by occupation

Earnings by occupation in Cooper County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
Cooper County Missouri United States
Median earnings(Total) $50,795 $56,112 $61,859
Management and business
Management $67,578 $81,674 $95,511
Business and finance $61,563 $74,836 $85,333
Technology and science
Computer and math $70,109 $90,446 $106,999
Architecture and engineering $61,250 $90,820 $102,526
Sciences $60,000 $68,675 $84,877
Education, legal, and arts
Community and Social Service $42,292 $50,599 $58,943
Legal $48,542 $92,427 $113,997
Education, Training and Library $48,393 $51,872 $61,591
Arts, design and media $78,750 $59,032 $69,945
Healthcare
Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals $66,346 $84,685 $95,504
Health technicians $41,146 $48,865 $54,377
Healthcare support $35,417 $34,528 $37,780
Protective Service
Firefighting and emergency services $34,911 $53,501 $54,969
Law enforcement $48,750 $58,819 $78,427
Other services
Food preparation and serving $28,006 $30,135 $31,969
Building and grounds cleaning $35,547 $35,160 $36,545
Personal care and service $29,861 $34,241 $36,137
Sales and office
Sales $46,667 $55,512 $58,713
Office and Administrative Support $39,347 $44,353 $47,965
Trades and natural resources
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry $49,250 $40,462 $37,492
Construction and extraction $66,875 $57,206 $53,180
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair $54,000 $59,351 $60,226
Production and transportation
Production $52,500 $48,370 $48,805
Transportation $64,028 $54,863 $55,051
Material moving $38,452 $37,827 $38,558
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

Income & Financial Security

Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points

Household Income

What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings

Median Household Income

$70,625
Median household income in Cooper County
Median household income (USD)
Cooper County
$70,625
Missouri
$70,702
United States
$80,734
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Cooper County, including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes, with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Per capita income

$30,584
Per capita income in Cooper County
Per capita income (USD)
Cooper County
$30,584
Missouri
$39,695
United States
$44,673
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Cooper County, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks

Mean Household Income

$81,395
Average household income in Cooper County
Avg household income (USD)
Cooper County
$81,395
Missouri
$96,247
United States
$113,530
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Cooper County, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Mean vs median household income

$81,395
Mean household income
$70,625
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Cooper County $10,770
Missouri $25,545
United States $32,796
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Level

Household and per capita income in Cooper County
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Cooper County and peer geographies.
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total households 6,246 2,508,227 129,227,496
Median household income $70,625 $70,702 $80,734
Mean household income $81,395 $96,247 $113,530
Mean-median gap $10,770 $25,545 $32,796
Family households 4,239 1,558,009 82,990,528
Median family income $88,521 $91,360 $99,999
Mean family income $93,855 $117,375 $134,109
Mean-median gap $5,334 $26,015 $34,110
Non-family households 2,007 950,218 46,236,968
Median non-family income $40,177 $41,464 $48,618
Mean non-family income $47,753 $57,541 $71,134
Mean-median gap $7,576 $16,077 $22,516
Other Benchmarks
Per capita income $30,584 $39,695 $44,673
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance

Households with earnings

74.1%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
% households with earnings
Cooper County
74.1%
Missouri
76%
United States
77.5%
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.

Transfer income dependency

Social Security
37.4% of households (2,339) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $21,735
SSI (disability)
5.7% of households (354) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $12,895
Cash Assistance
2.8% of households (178) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $12,895
SNAP / Food Stamps
6.7% of households (420) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Sources

Income sources for households in Cooper County
Share of households receiving each income type
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total households 6,246 2,508,227 129,227,496
Wage-based income
With earnings 74% 76% 78%
Retirement and disability income
Social security 37% 33% 31%
Average social security income $21,735 $23,786 $24,367
Retirement income 29% 26% 24%
Average retirement income $28,991 $28,692 $33,349
SSI (Supplemental security) 6% 5% 5%
Average SSI income $12,895 $11,181 $11,477
Public assistance
SNAP / food stamps 7% 10% 12%
Cash assistance 3% 2% 3%
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures

Median income by household type

$88,521
Family households earn $88,521, compared to $40,177 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Median household income (USD)
All households
$70,625
Family households
$88,521
Nonfamily households
$40,177
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Median income by family type

$96,361
Married-couple families earn $96,361, compared to $43,625 for single-parent and other family types.
Median household income (USD)
All family households
$88,521
Married-couple families
$96,361
Other family types
$43,625
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income By Household Type

Median income by household and family size in Cooper County
Median household and family income by household size in Cooper County, compared with peer geographies.
Cooper County Missouri United States
Total households 6,246 2,508,227 129,227,496
Household income by size
1-person $34,362 $36,748 $41,531
2-person $77,229 $80,893 $89,421
3-person $84,583 $97,086 $105,720
4-person $98,750 $111,019 $122,780
5-person $108,750 $107,879 $115,998
6-person $102,578 $105,164 $114,729
7-person or more $73,750 $108,650 $124,557
Total families 4,239 1,558,009 82,990,528
Family income by size
2-person $79,844 $80,027 $86,867
3-person $86,964 $95,828 $103,132
4-person $98,203 $113,137 $123,422
5-person $110,600 $108,997 $116,064
6-person $103,672 $104,707 $113,447
7-person or more $47,500 $107,366 $119,745
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income Distribution

How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared

Income Concentration

43.89%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
3.72%
of all household income
Top 20%
43.89%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top fifth of households earn more than two-fifths of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 3.72% — meaning the top 20% hold 12 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

The Top 5%

$266,912
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
13.81%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
16.4%
of all household income
Key insights
  • The top 5% of households earn an average of $266,912 and hold 16.4% of all household income — more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 13.81%
  • Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares

Income Distribution

Under $50K
37.1%
$50K - $100K
32.3%
$100K - $150K
19.2%
$150K - $200K
7.2%
Over $200K
4.2%
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Households earning $100K or more

30.6%
of all households, 1,908 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Cooper County 30.6%
Missouri 34%
United States 40.5%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.

Household income brackets

Household income brackets in Cooper County
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Cooper County, compared with peer geographies.
Cooper County Missouri United States
Median household income $70,625 $70,702 $80,734
Income bracket
Less than $10,000 5.9% 4.9% 5%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.2% 3.8% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 7.6% 7.1% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 8.4% 7.8% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 12% 11.9% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 15.8% 17.4% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 16.5% 13.2% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 19.2% 17.1% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 7.2% 8.2% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 4.2% 8.7% 13.4%
Cumulative Shares
Share below $35,000 25.1% 23.6% 21.3%
Share below $75,000 52.9% 52.9% 46.9%
Share above $100,000 30.6% 34% 40.5%
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies

Gini Index of Income Inequality

Low High
0.41
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Cooper County 0.41
Missouri 0.47
United States 0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.

Earnings Gap

$178,610
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Avg income for top 20% ($)
Cooper County
$178,610
Missouri
$241,020
United States
$293,336
Key insights
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Household income distribution

Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Cooper County
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
Cooper County Missouri United States
Highest household income in each group ($)
Bottom 20% $28,280 $30,464 $33,040
Lower 20% $54,259 $55,996 $63,330
Middle 20% $84,774 $87,668 $101,088
Upper 20% $124,785 $137,691 $162,235
Top 5% threshold $188,048 $249,759 $250,001
Average household income within each group ($)
Bottom 20% $15,134 $16,216 $17,079
Lower 20% $41,054 $42,961 $48,012
Middle 20% $70,162 $71,048 $81,211
Upper 20% $102,013 $109,991 $128,012
Top 20% $178,610 $241,020 $293,336
Top 5% $266,912 $429,588 $528,428
Share of total income (%)
Bottom 20% 3.72% 3.37% 3.01%
Lower 20% 10.09% 8.93% 8.46%
Middle 20% 17.24% 14.76% 14.31%
Upper 20% 25.07% 22.86% 22.55%
Top 20% 43.89% 50.08% 51.67%
Top 5% 16.4% 22.32% 23.27%
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area

Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households

White
Among the 5,689 White households (91.1% of all households), the median household income is $74,194.
Black
Among the 255 Black or African American households (4.1% of all households), the median household income is $43,125.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Income by race and ethnicity

Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Cooper County
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the Missouri and United States.
Cooper County Missouri United States
All Residents $70,625 $70,702 $80,734
White $74,194 $74,538 $86,271
Black or African American $43,125 $47,941 $55,157
American Indian and Alaska Native $— $60,741 $62,420
Asian $— $95,651 $116,503
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander $— $63,490 $81,811
Some Other Race $— $64,423 $67,563
Two or more races (Multiracial) $— $64,327 $75,660
Hispanic or Latino $62,536 $63,809 $71,415
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.

Poverty

Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected

Poverty Rate

11.7%
11.7% of residents, or 1,815 people, live below the poverty line.
% poverty rate
Cooper County
11.7%
Missouri
12.6%
United States
12.5%
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Working Poor

2.9%
2.9% of full-time, year-round workers, or 164 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
% full-time workers in poverty
Cooper County
2.9%
Missouri
2.5%
United States
2.3%
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies

CHILD POVERTY RATE

14.9%
14.9% of children under 18, or 548 children, live below the poverty line.
Child poverty rate (%)
Cooper County
14.9%
Missouri
15.8%
United States
16.1%
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

SENIOR POVERTY RATE

9.6%
9.6% of adults aged 65 and older, or 299 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Senior poverty rate (%)
Cooper County
9.6%
Missouri
10.4%
United States
10.8%
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Poverty Rates

Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
Cooper County Missouri United States
Overall poverty rate 11.7% 12.6% 12.5%
Poverty by age
Under 18 years 14.9% 15.8% 16.1%
Under 5 years 12.6% 17.6% 17.3%
5 to 17 years 15.7% 15.2% 15.7%
18 to 64 years 11.1% 12% 11.6%
18 to 34 years 15.3% 15.1% 14.2%
35 to 64 years 8.7% 10.3% 10.1%
65 years and over 9.6% 10.4% 10.8%
Poverty by sex
Male 10.1% 11.4% 11.3%
Female 13.1% 13.7% 13.6%
Poverty by work engagement
Worked full time, year-round 2.9% 2.5% 2.3%
Worked part time or part year 19.3% 16.2% 15%
Did not work 16.6% 21.5% 21.4%
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types

Poverty by household type

12.4%
of all households are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All households
12.4%
Family
9.9%
Nonfamily
17.5%
Key insights
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty among family households

9.9%
of families are below the poverty level
poverty rate (%)
All families
9.9%
Married-couple
5%
Other families
26.4%
Key insights
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by household type

Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Cooper County
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
Cooper County Missouri United States
FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 9.9% 8.4% 8.8%
Householder under 25 years 12.6% 23.4% 24.6%
Householder 25 to 44 years 14.3% 11.6% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 10% 6% 6.5%
Householder 65 years and over 4.1% 5.5% 6%
NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS
All ages 17.5% 20.4% 19.4%
Householder under 25 years 13.7% 34% 35.7%
Householder 25 to 44 years 21% 13.5% 12.2%
Householder 45 to 64 years 14.1% 23.8% 21.7%
Householder 65 years and over 19.5% 19.3% 20%
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally

Poverty by race — Black vs. White

White
9.9% of White residents, or 1,372 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
13.5% of Black or African American residents, or 86 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

Poverty by race and ethnicity

Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Cooper County
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Cooper County and peer geographies.
Cooper County Missouri United States
All Residents 11.7% 12.6% 12.5%
White 9.9% 10.6% 9.7%
Black or African American 13.5% 23.6% 21.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native 31.3% 16.6% 21.1%
Asian 0% 11.8% 9.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander —% 12.6% 16.8%
Some Other Race 0% 18.8% 18.2%
Two or more races (Multiracial) 38.7% 16.2% 14.6%
Hispanic or Latino 17.9% 17.8% 16.7%
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.

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