Which Missouri counties are growing the fastest? The Census has answers
The Show Me State just keeps growing.
Recently released data shows that 76 of Missouri’s counties gained residents, while the other 39 lost population or remained approximately the same.
From April 2020 to July 2024, Missouri gained 90,612 residents, or 1.5% of the state’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The total United States population increased by approximately 2.6% in that same time frame, mostly centered in the South.
Here are the five Missouri counties that had the largest percentage increase in population from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau. All were rural counties in either the eastern or southern part of the state.
Lincoln County, northwest of St. Louis: 10.6% increase
Warren County, west of St. Louis: 8.3% increase
Christian County, south of Springfield: 8.1% increase
Webster County, east of Springfield: 7.6% increase
Wright County, farther east of Springfield: 7.2% increase
These five Missouri counties lost the largest percentage of their population from April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024.
DeKalb County, east of St. Joseph: 10.4% decrease
Pemiscot County, in the Missouri boot heel: 8% decrease
New Madrid County, in the Missouri boot heel: 7.4% decrease
St. Louis City, central part of St. Louis: 7.2% decrease
Mississippi County, in the Missouri boot heel: 6.5% decrease
In the Kansas City area, the surrounding counties grew at a higher rate than those containing most of Kansas City proper:
Platte County: 6.1% increase
Cass County: 5.6% increase
Clay County: 4% increase
Jackson County: 1.4% increase
You can check out the population change for all Missouri counties, from Census Bureau data. Go here if you cannot see the table below.
This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM.
