Population 19,687 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Vernon County: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Vernon County
Household size in Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.49 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.52 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.51 | 2.49 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Vernon County has 2.51 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has crept up from 2.45 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the west.
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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.0 | 38.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.6 | 39.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.5 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.9 | 40.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Vernon County is 41.9 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 40.0 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the southwest.
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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 11.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.6% | 11.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Vernon County: 8.6% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 4.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Vernon County
Renters in Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.0% | 30.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.8% | 32.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.3% | 33.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.7% | 31.9% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Vernon County own their homes; 28.7% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Just over half of owners (52.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southwest. The renter share has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.7% | 11.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 12.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.0% | 12.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.6% | 10.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.0 pts | −1.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Vernon County: 13.6% 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 2.0 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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1969 | 1974 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1972 | 1975 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1975 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Vernon County run a bit older than the national norm, with a median build year of 1975 against 1980. The median year built has moved up from 1969 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $584 | $740 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $622 | $816 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $590 | $899 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $751 | $1,122 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$167 | +$383 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Vernon County costs $751 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $167 a month from 2006–10, a 29% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the south.
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 Vernon County
Bachelor's degrees in Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 26.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 27.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.4% | 29.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +1.1 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Vernon County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has edged up 1.1 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.1% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.3% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.4% | 90.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.6% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Vernon County have finished high school as nationally: 88.6%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Missouri overall (91.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.5 points, mirroring the country.
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 Vernon County
| Period | Vernon County | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 7.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.4% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 4.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Vernon County runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 3.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. 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).
Vernon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon County | 2.51 | 41.9 | 8.6% | 28.7% | 13.6% | 1975 | $751 | 16.2% | 88.6% | 4.2% |
| Bourbon County | 2.47 | 40.2 | 8.4% | 26.0% | 16.0% | 1961 | $763 | 24.2% | 90.7% | 4.8% |
| Cedar County | 2.59 | 43.2 | 6.7% | 25.9% | 16.8% | 1983 | $692 | 18.3% | 89.0% | 2.4% |
| Hickory County | 2.41 | 53.8 | 5.1% | 17.6% | 32.9% | 1985 | $657 | 13.1% | 87.3% | 12.9% |
| Allen County | 2.48 | 40.2 | 12.6% | 24.6% | 16.2% | 1965 | $651 | 23.5% | 94.6% | 8.0% |
| Woodson County | 2.44 | 47.7 | 6.8% | 15.4% | 30.4% | 1961 | $616 | 23.1% | 90.4% | 1.5% |
| Greenwood County | 2.19 | 47.8 | 10.6% | 19.5% | 26.7% | 1959 | $789 | 21.1% | 92.9% | 3.4% |
| 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% |
| Butler County | 2.65 | 39.4 | 9.7% | 22.4% | 8.8% | 1985 | $1,104 | 34.3% | 95.0% | 3.5% |
| Washington County | 2.60 | 40.8 | 11.3% | 21.6% | 16.1% | 1985 | $741 | 11.1% | 85.7% | 5.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Winn Parish, LA · Hardin County, TN · Hardy County, WV · Harlan County, KY · Harrison County, IA · Harrison County, KY · Harrison County, OH · Hart County, GA · Hart County, KY · Haskell County, OK
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 Vernon 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.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.