Population 45,194 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Phelps County
Household size in Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.52 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.50 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Phelps County has 2.50 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.45, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the south and smallest in the center.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.4 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 36.6 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 38.0 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.6 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.1 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Phelps County is 37.6 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 36.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only eight are younger.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.5% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.3% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Phelps County as they are nationally: 12.3%, against 11.6%. Single parents are more common here than in Missouri as a whole (11.0%). Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.8 points, even as 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 Phelps County
Renters in Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.5% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 38.8% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 40.4% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.3% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly four in ten households in Phelps County rent their homes (38.3%), a bit above the national share of 34.8%. Among owners, 45.5% have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 3.8 points, as it has nationally. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only eight have a higher share of renters.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.8% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.9% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.8% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Phelps County: 14.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 1.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in Phelps County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Phelps County has newer homes than at least four in five Missouri counties.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $635 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $668 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $712 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $845 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$210 | +$383 | +$606 |
Rent in Phelps County runs $845 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $210 a month from 2006–10, a 33% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.1% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the southwest.
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 Phelps County
Bachelor's degrees in Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.2% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.8% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.7% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.4% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Phelps County (32.4%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. The picture is much the same across Missouri. The share with a degree has risen 6.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.0% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.2% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.4% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.8% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Phelps County have finished high school as nationally: 89.8%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Missouri as a whole (91.8%). The share with a diploma is up 2.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Phelps County
| Period | Phelps County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.3% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.1% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Phelps County runs below the national rate: 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 3.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Phelps 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phelps County | 2.50 | 37.6 | 12.3% | 38.3% | 14.9% | 1986 | $845 | 32.4% | 89.8% | 4.1% |
| Crawford County | 2.34 | 42.6 | 11.1% | 30.8% | 14.1% | 1983 | $826 | 14.8% | 86.6% | 5.2% |
| Pulaski County | 2.63 | 30.8 | 12.0% | 38.8% | 14.3% | 1992 | $1,098 | 25.5% | 94.6% | 4.7% |
| Washington County | 2.60 | 40.8 | 11.3% | 21.6% | 16.1% | 1985 | $741 | 11.1% | 85.7% | 5.3% |
| Camden County | 2.49 | 51.0 | 6.4% | 17.5% | 48.4% | 1988 | $1,012 | 26.3% | 92.7% | 4.3% |
| St. Francois County | 2.51 | 39.6 | 12.3% | 31.8% | 13.2% | 1981 | $788 | 17.7% | 87.3% | 4.2% |
| Ste. Genevieve County | 2.57 | 43.3 | 10.9% | 17.0% | 14.4% | 1979 | $767 | 16.9% | 93.7% | 4.3% |
| Hickory County | 2.41 | 53.8 | 5.1% | 17.6% | 32.9% | 1985 | $657 | 13.1% | 87.3% | 12.9% |
| Randolph County | 2.32 | 43.6 | 11.7% | 23.4% | 11.8% | 1972 | $823 | 16.6% | 89.0% | 4.9% |
| St. Clair County | 2.35 | 44.2 | 9.0% | 24.0% | 22.5% | 1981 | $707 | 14.4% | 85.8% | 3.2% |
| Perry County | 2.36 | 42.3 | 11.6% | 19.1% | 12.9% | 1973 | $716 | 14.1% | 87.1% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Isabela Municipio, PR · Rusk County, TX · Roane County, TN · Rio Grande Municipio, PR · Ravalli County, MT · Pulaski County, MO · Johnson County, MO · Jessamine County, KY · Isle of Wight County, VA · Saline County, KS
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 Phelps 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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