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West Plains, MO
City in Howell County, Missouri.
Population
12,441
Land area
13.3sq mi
People per sq mi
935
ZIP codes
0
West Plains and its ZIP codes
West Plains at a glance
- West Plains is about 10 times as dense as Missouri as a whole.
- It is the 75th most populous of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
- Households here earn a median of $44,002 a year, 38% less than the Missouri figure of $70,702.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $169,900 (26% below Missouri) and median rent is $810 a month.
Local data for West Plains, MO
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes3
- Schools6
- Colleges2
- Libraries1
- Banks14
- Post Offices1
- Parks13
- Grocery Stores8
- Restaurants60
- Affordable Housing1
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers2
- Community Health Centers2
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment6
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools2
- Toxic Release Facilities1
- Historic Places5
Housing and community stats
West Plains, MO, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$44,002
Poverty rate
28.1%
Median home value
$169,900
Median rent
$810/mo
Homeownership
52.1%
Bachelor's or higher
17.1%
Median age
36.3
Average commute
21.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,639), German Americans (1,618), French Americans (285).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Howell County. PPP loans are for West Plains.
Unemployment rate
4.1%
Sep 2026, +0.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$46,649
15,327 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,995
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$337M
FY 2026, $8,468 per person
How people get to work
West Plains, MO, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.1%
- Carpooled14.4%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.0%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.9%
- Worked from home3.6%
Average one-way commute: 21.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
West Plains, MO, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
975
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
24
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 22°F
49.4 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone5 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in West Plains, MO, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
37.4%
U.S. 33.3% +4.1 pts
Diabetes
15.3%
U.S. 12.1% +3.2 pts
Smoking
22.3%
U.S. 12.8% +9.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.8%
U.S. 11.1% +0.7 pts
Cities near West Plains
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| PomonaCensus-designated place | 8.7 mi | 3.6 |
| South ForkCensus-designated place | 9.3 mi | 3.5 |
| BrandsvilleCity | 12 mi | 0.5 |
| KoshkonongTown | 17 mi | 0.2 |
| Willow SpringsCity | 18 mi | 3.6 |
| ThomasvilleCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 0.4 |
| Mountain ViewCity | 20 mi | 3.8 |
| BakersfieldVillage | 21 mi | 1.4 |
| MontierCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 1 |
| ThayerCity | 25 mi | 2.4 |
| Viola, ARTown | 25 mi | 1.6 |
| Mammoth Spring, ARCity | 26 mi | 1.3 |
| Salem, ARCity | 26 mi | 2.4 |
| AltonCity | 27 mi | 1.6 |
| Birch TreeCity | 28 mi | 1.4 |
| Gamaliel, ARCensus-designated place | 29 mi | 0.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is West Plains, MO in?
- West Plains is in Howell County, Missouri.
- What is the population of West Plains, MO?
- About 12,441 people live in West Plains, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near West Plains?
- Nearby places include Pomona (8.7 mi), South Fork (9.3 mi), Brandsville (12 mi), Koshkonong (17 mi), Willow Springs (18 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023