Saline County Demographics

A map of Saline County's Population by Race

Saline County, Missouri has an estimated population of 23,231, a less than 1% change from the 23,333 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 75.3% White, 12.6% Hispanic, 4.9% Black, 4.7% Multiracial, 1.9% Native American/Other, and 0.6% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Saline County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Saline has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more 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 Saline County, that probability was 41.9% in 2020 and 41.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Saline County is ranked the 48th most populous county in Missouri, out of 115 counties. Saline County was ranked the 47th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Saline County's White Population

17,485 residents of Saline County, or 75.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Saline County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. Saline County ranks 108th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saline County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Saline County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 75.3%.

Saline County is less White than neighboring Pettis County (82.1% White), Carroll County (93.3% White), Chariton County (92.7% White), Cooper County (87.8% White), and Howard County (86.2% White).

Saline County's Black Population

1,138 residents of Saline County, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Saline County is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. Saline County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saline County's Black population has remained roughly the same. Black residents' share of Saline County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Saline County is more Black than neighboring Pettis County (2.5% Black), Carroll County (1.5% Black), and Chariton County (1.9% Black). Saline County is less Black than neighboring Cooper County (5.6% Black), and Howard County (5.5% Black).

Saline County's Asian Population

144 residents of Saline County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Saline County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. Saline County ranks 24th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saline County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 17.7%. Asian residents' share of Saline County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Saline County is more Asian than neighboring Carroll County (0.2% Asian), Chariton County (0.2% Asian), Cooper County (0.1% Asian), and Howard County (0.2% Asian). Saline County is less Asian than neighboring Pettis County (0.7% Asian).

Saline County's Hispanic Population

2,932 residents of Saline County, or 12.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Saline County is higher than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. Saline County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saline County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Saline County's population has increased from 12.1% to 12.6%.

Saline County is more Hispanic than neighboring Pettis County (9.9% Hispanic), Carroll County (2.2% Hispanic), Chariton County (1.5% Hispanic), Cooper County (2.1% Hispanic), and Howard County (2.3% Hispanic).

Saline County's Native American/Other Population

437 residents of Saline County, or 1.9% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Saline County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Saline County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saline County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 37.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Saline County's population has decreased from 3.0% to 1.9%.

Saline County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pettis County (0.6% Native American/Other), Carroll County (0% Native American/Other), Chariton County (0.8% Native American/Other), Cooper County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Howard County (1.1% Native American/Other).

Saline County's Multiracial Population

1,095 residents of Saline County, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Saline County is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. Saline County ranks 69th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 115 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Saline County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 8.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Saline County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Saline County is more Multiracial than neighboring Pettis County (4.2% Multiracial), Carroll County (2.8% Multiracial), Chariton County (3% Multiracial), and Cooper County (4.1% Multiracial). Saline County is less Multiracial than neighboring Howard County (4.8% 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.