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West Plains, MO

Missouri

West Plains is a small city in Missouri with a population of 12,341. Residents earn $39,897 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
12,341 Population 927/sq mi density
$39,897 Median Income $23,486 per capita
$158,700 Home Value $222,396 Zillow
$762 Median Rent 29.4% income on rent
276 Violent Crime/100K 5,876 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$39,897 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$158,700 home value, $762/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
276 violent crimes/100K (27% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,897
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $158,700
44% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 276/100K
27% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.7%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $762
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.2%
79% higher than US avg

How West Plains Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population12,341
Median Age34.2 yrs
Density927/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans8.1%

Economy

C+
Median Income$39,897
Per Capita$23,486
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty22.2%
Commute17 min

Housing

A
Home Value$158,700
Rent$762
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$222,396
Housing Units5,614
Rent Burden29.4%

Crime

F
Violent276/100K
Property5,876/100K
Murder8.1/100K
Assault211/100K
Burglary747/100K

Health

Obesity38.5%
Uninsured12.1%
Smoking24.0%
Depression29.1%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI41 (Good)
Sunny Days318/yr
Elevation1,007 ft (307 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.7%
High School+85.3%
Graduate+10.4%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute17 min
Broadband83.5%
EV Stations4

Is West Plains a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Plains receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. West Plains has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Plains is $39,897, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. The poverty rate of 22.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Plains is $158,700, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $762 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in West Plains is below the national average at 276 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,876 per 100,000, 200% above the national average.

Education

17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

With 318 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

West Plains has a population of 12,341 with a density of 927 people per square mile. The median age is 34.2 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.4%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

12,341
Total Population
927
People / sq mi
34.2yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
13.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

West Plains vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Plains vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Plains is $39,897, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: West Plains vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,897
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,486

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate22.2%
79% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Drive Alone84.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.6%

Walkability

The median home value in West Plains is $158,700, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $762 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $222,396.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$158,700
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$222,396
Median List Price$244,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$244,900
$/Sq Ft$113
Homes Sold21
Sale-to-List Ratio90.1%
Price Drops20.6%
Inventory63

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$762
34% below US avg
Rent Burden29.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$775
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,265
4 Bedrooms$1,457

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied48.2%
Housing Units5,614
Median Year Built1978

Property Tax

In West Plains, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 12.1% of residents lack health insurance. 24.0% are current smokers. 29.1% report depression. 34.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Plains vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes12.9%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure36.5%
Asthma11.8%
COPD11.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking24.0%
71% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity34.9%
Depression29.1%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress17.8%
Short Sleep40.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.8%
Uninsured12.1%
41% above US avg
Checkup Rate75.9%
Dental Visits48.7%

Food & Exercise

West Plains has a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, 27% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,876 per 100,000 (200% above US avg). The murder rate is 8.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: West Plains vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent276.0/100K
27% below US avg
Murder8.1/100K
29% above US avg
Rape16.2/100K
Robbery40.6/100K
Assault211.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,876.2/100K
200% above US avg
Burglary746.7/100K
Theft4,853.5/100K
Vehicle Theft276.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 83.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.7%
47% below US avg
High School+85.3%
Graduate Degree+10.4%
School Test Score5.51
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density927/sq mi
Total Area13.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.5%
EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations5

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Drive Alone84.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.6%

Nearby Cities

Willow Springs, MO 2,015 pop · 19.4 mi Mountain View, MO 2,648 pop · 20.2 mi Thayer, MO 2,288 pop · 22.4 mi Salem, AR 2,727 pop · 24.8 mi Cabool, MO 2,460 pop · 30.6 mi Cherokee Village, AR 5,078 pop · 34.0 mi Horseshoe Bend, AR 2,458 pop · 35.8 mi Mountain Grove, MO 4,494 pop · 35.9 mi Ash Flat, AR 1,309 pop · 36.6 mi Highland, AR 1,124 pop · 36.7 mi Mountain Home, AR 13,021 pop · 40.1 mi Houston, MO 2,407 pop · 41.7 mi Calico Rock, AR 1,795 pop · 44.6 mi Melbourne, AR 2,227 pop · 45.9 mi
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