Population 53,894 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pulaski County
Household size in Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.67 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.91 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.88 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.63 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.63 people per household, Pulaski County sits close to the national average of 2.65. The typical household here is bigger than in Missouri overall, where it has 2.49 people. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.67, as it has nationally.
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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.4 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.4 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.7 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 30.8 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.6 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Pulaski County is young: half of its residents are under 30.8, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has edged down from 31.4, even as the national median rose. Pulaski County has the youngest population of any Missouri county.
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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.6% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.9% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.0% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Pulaski County as they are nationally: 12.0%, against 11.6%. Pulaski County has a higher share of single-parent households than most Missouri counties.
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 Pulaski County
Renters in Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 43.8% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 47.5% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.7% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.8% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.0 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in Pulaski County than nationally: 38.8% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among homeowners, 57.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 5.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only seven of Missouri's 115 counties 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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.3% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Pulaski County: 14.3% 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 3.0 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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1987 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1988 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +4 | +6 |
Pulaski County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the northwest has the oldest housing. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only five have newer homes.
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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $808 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $945 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $990 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,098 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$290 | +$383 | +$606 |
Rent in Pulaski County runs $1,098 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $290 a month from 2006–10, a 36% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 26.3% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the southeast; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 Pulaski County
Bachelor's degrees in Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.0% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.2% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.5% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Pulaski County: 25.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 6.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the northeast.
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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.9% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.9% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.5% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.6% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.7 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Pulaski County: 94.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Missouri's 115 counties, only seven have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Pulaski County
| Period | Pulaski County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Pulaski County is close to the national rate: 4.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.0 points, in line with the national trend. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's 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).
Pulaski 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulaski County | 2.63 | 30.8 | 12.0% | 38.8% | 14.3% | 1992 | $1,098 | 25.5% | 94.6% | 4.7% |
| Phelps County | 2.50 | 37.6 | 12.3% | 38.3% | 14.9% | 1986 | $845 | 32.4% | 89.8% | 4.1% |
| Hickory County | 2.41 | 53.8 | 5.1% | 17.6% | 32.9% | 1985 | $657 | 13.1% | 87.3% | 12.9% |
| Washington County | 2.60 | 40.8 | 11.3% | 21.6% | 16.1% | 1985 | $741 | 11.1% | 85.7% | 5.3% |
| St. Francois County | 2.51 | 39.6 | 12.3% | 31.8% | 13.2% | 1981 | $788 | 17.7% | 87.3% | 4.2% |
| Cedar County | 2.59 | 43.2 | 6.7% | 25.9% | 16.8% | 1983 | $692 | 18.3% | 89.0% | 2.4% |
| Ste. Genevieve County | 2.57 | 43.3 | 10.9% | 17.0% | 14.4% | 1979 | $767 | 16.9% | 93.7% | 4.3% |
| Vernon County | 2.51 | 41.9 | 8.6% | 28.7% | 13.6% | 1975 | $751 | 16.2% | 88.6% | 4.2% |
| Perry County | 2.51 | 42.0 | 9.0% | 23.5% | 10.2% | 1977 | $913 | 20.6% | 86.5% | 4.9% |
| Bourbon County | 2.47 | 40.2 | 8.4% | 26.0% | 16.0% | 1961 | $763 | 24.2% | 90.7% | 4.8% |
| Jackson County | 2.20 | 38.6 | 10.5% | 50.0% | 16.0% | 1976 | $815 | 37.0% | 92.8% | 6.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Garfield County, CO · Val Verde County, TX · Union County, OH · Tuscola County, MI · Tuolumne County, CA · Tioga County, NY · Thomas County, GA · Stevens County, WA · Hall County, NE · Granville County, NC
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 Pulaski 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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