Population 18,976 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Perry County
Household size in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.46 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.52 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.49 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Perry County has 2.51 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.46 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.6 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.1 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.0 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Perry County skews a little older than the country: its median age is 42.0, against 40.1 nationally. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 38.6, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the north and oldest in the southeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Perry County than nationally: 9.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is little changed from 2006–10, while the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Perry County
Renters in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.0% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.5% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Perry County is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 45.1% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 1.5 points, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.7% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.0% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.9% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.2% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Perry County is close to the national rate: 10.2% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged up 1.5 points, even as the national rate fell. Perry County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Missouri counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1977 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Perry County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1977, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $565 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $704 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $709 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $913 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$347 | +$383 | +$606 |
Rent in Perry County runs $913 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $347 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 31.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the southeast; the highest are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Perry County
Bachelor's degrees in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.1% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.7% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.6% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Perry County: 20.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 8.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.4% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.4% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.6% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.5% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in seven adults in Perry County never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 6.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Perry County
| Period | Perry County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.2% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.0% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.7 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Perry County is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Missouri overall (4.1%). Unemployment has edged up 0.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Perry County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry County | 2.51 | 42.0 | 9.0% | 23.5% | 10.2% | 1977 | $913 | 20.6% | 86.5% | 4.9% |
| Jackson County | 2.20 | 38.6 | 10.5% | 50.0% | 16.0% | 1976 | $815 | 37.0% | 92.8% | 6.8% |
| St. Francois County | 2.51 | 39.6 | 12.3% | 31.8% | 13.2% | 1981 | $788 | 17.7% | 87.3% | 4.2% |
| Williamson County | 2.30 | 42.9 | 12.6% | 29.3% | 10.0% | 1982 | $922 | 26.5% | 93.0% | 5.3% |
| Saline County | 2.30 | 45.3 | 13.0% | 27.5% | 13.4% | 1971 | $842 | 21.2% | 90.1% | 6.8% |
| Gallatin County | 2.36 | 46.8 | 13.4% | 22.6% | 14.8% | 1966 | $663 | 13.7% | 87.0% | 8.0% |
| Dent County | 2.58 | 44.5 | 10.8% | 24.1% | 17.1% | 1980 | $710 | 16.7% | 83.6% | 4.3% |
| Union County | 2.41 | 44.2 | 9.0% | 29.8% | 11.6% | 1975 | $760 | 13.2% | 91.2% | 2.8% |
| Henderson County | 2.42 | 42.1 | 13.0% | 35.1% | 10.2% | 1975 | $829 | 20.2% | 89.5% | 2.6% |
| Pulaski County | 2.63 | 30.8 | 12.0% | 38.8% | 14.3% | 1992 | $1,098 | 25.5% | 94.6% | 4.7% |
| Daviess County | 2.49 | 39.1 | 13.1% | 31.9% | 8.0% | 1978 | $937 | 26.0% | 91.7% | 4.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Roosevelt County, MT · Houston County, MN · Houston County, TX · Hubbard County, MN · Hutchinson County, TX · Iosco County, MI · Iowa County, IA · Iowa County, WI · Iroquois County, IL · Itawamba County, MS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Perry County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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