Rolla, MO Demographics

A map of Rolla's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	16,003	15,831	78.9%	79.4%
Asian	1,474	1,243	7.3%	6.2%
Black	984	826	4.9%	4.1%
Hispanic	936	687	4.6%	3.4%
Multiracial	688	1,135	3.4%	5.7%
Native American/Other	202	221	1.0%	1.1%

Rolla, Missouri has an estimated population of 20,287, a slight increase from the 19,943 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 78.9% White, 7.3% Asian, 4.9% Black, 4.6% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rolla, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rolla has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than Missouri overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rolla, that probability was 36.0% in 2020 and 36.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rolla is ranked the 38th most populous place in Missouri, out of 1,082 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rolla was ranked the 38th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rolla's White Population

16,003 residents of Rolla, or 78.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rolla is slightly higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Rolla ranks 902nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rolla's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Rolla's population has decreased from 79.4% to 78.9%.

Rolla is less White than neighboring Doolittle (90.6% White), Newburg (90% White), St. James (90.2% White), Edgar Springs (80.4% White), and Vienna (85.3% White).

Rolla's Black Population

984 residents of Rolla, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rolla is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Rolla ranks 184th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rolla's Black population has grown by an estimated 19.1%. Black residents' share of Rolla's population has increased from 4.1% to 4.9%.

Rolla is more Black than neighboring Doolittle (0.2% Black), Newburg (0% Black), St. James (0.5% Black), and Vienna (1.5% Black). Rolla is less Black than neighboring Edgar Springs (7.6% Black).

Rolla's Asian Population

1,474 residents of Rolla, or 7.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rolla is higher than in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Rolla ranks 16th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rolla's Asian population has grown by an estimated 18.6%. Asian residents' share of Rolla's population has increased from 6.2% to 7.3%.

Rolla is more Asian than neighboring Doolittle (2.9% Asian), Newburg (0% Asian), St. James (0% Asian), Edgar Springs (0% Asian), and Vienna (0% Asian).

Rolla's Hispanic Population

936 residents of Rolla, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rolla is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Rolla ranks 315th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rolla's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 36.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Rolla's population has increased from 3.4% to 4.6%.

Rolla is more Hispanic than neighboring Doolittle (2.3% Hispanic), Newburg (4.2% Hispanic), St. James (3.4% Hispanic), Edgar Springs (0.9% Hispanic), and Vienna (0.6% Hispanic).

Rolla's Native American/Other Population

202 residents of Rolla, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rolla is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Rolla ranks 274th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rolla's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 8.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rolla's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Rolla is more Native American/Other than neighboring Doolittle (0.2% Native American/Other), and St. James (0.5% Native American/Other). Rolla is less Native American/Other than neighboring Newburg (1.2% Native American/Other), Edgar Springs (5.4% Native American/Other), and Vienna (3.3% Native American/Other).

Rolla's Multiracial Population

688 residents of Rolla, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rolla is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Rolla ranks 361st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rolla's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 39.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Rolla's population has decreased from 5.7% to 3.4%.

Rolla is less Multiracial than neighboring Doolittle (3.9% Multiracial), Newburg (4.5% Multiracial), St. James (5.4% Multiracial), Edgar Springs (5.8% Multiracial), and Vienna (9.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.