West Plains, MO Demographics

A map of West Plains's Population by Race

West Plains, Missouri has an estimated population of 12,441, a slight increase from the 12,184 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 94.1% White, 3.9% Multiracial, 1.0% Black, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Hispanic, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of West Plains, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

West Plains has become considerably less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably 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 West Plains, that probability was 20.9% in 2020 and 11.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

West Plains is ranked the 75th 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). West Plains was ranked the 75th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

West Plains's White Population

11,704 residents of West Plains, or 94.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in West Plains is significantly higher than in Missouri overall, where 76.3% of the population is White. West Plains ranks 616th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Plains's White population has grown by an estimated 8.3%. White residents' share of West Plains's population has increased from 88.7% to 94.1%.

West Plains is more White than neighboring Pomona (93.8% White), Koshkonong (67.2% White), and Willow Springs (90.9% White). West Plains is less White than neighboring South Fork (100% White), and Brandsville (100% White).

West Plains's Black Population

120 residents of West Plains, or 1.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in West Plains is lower than in Missouri overall, where 10.9% of the population is Black. West Plains ranks 406th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Plains's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.8%. Black residents' share of West Plains's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

West Plains is more Black than neighboring Pomona (0% Black), South Fork (0% Black), Brandsville (0% Black), and Koshkonong (0% Black). West Plains is less Black than neighboring Willow Springs (2.4% Black).

West Plains's Asian Population

68 residents of West Plains, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in West Plains is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 2.1% of the population is Asian. West Plains ranks 206th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Plains's Asian population has declined by an estimated 40.4%. Asian residents' share of West Plains's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

West Plains is more Asian than neighboring Pomona (0% Asian), South Fork (0% Asian), Brandsville (0% Asian), Koshkonong (0% Asian), and Willow Springs (0% Asian).

West Plains's Hispanic Population

30 residents of West Plains, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in West Plains is slightly lower than in Missouri overall, where 5.2% of the population is Hispanic. West Plains ranks 385th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Plains's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 91.8%. Hispanic residents' share of West Plains's population has decreased from 3.0% to 0.2%.

West Plains is more Hispanic than neighboring Pomona (0% Hispanic), South Fork (0% Hispanic), and Brandsville (0% Hispanic). West Plains is less Hispanic than neighboring Koshkonong (4% Hispanic), and Willow Springs (2.5% Hispanic).

West Plains's Native American/Other Population

28 residents of West Plains, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in West Plains is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. West Plains ranks 221st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Plains's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 82.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of West Plains's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.2%.

West Plains is more Native American/Other than neighboring South Fork (0% Native American/Other), Brandsville (0% Native American/Other), and Koshkonong (0% Native American/Other). West Plains is less Native American/Other than neighboring Pomona (3.4% Native American/Other), and Willow Springs (1.6% Native American/Other).

West Plains's Multiracial Population

491 residents of West Plains, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in West Plains is comparable to the share in Missouri overall, where 4.8% of the population is Multiracial. West Plains ranks 486th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,082 places.

Since the 2020 Census, West Plains's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.4%. Multiracial residents' share of West Plains's population has decreased from 5.0% to 3.9%.

West Plains is more Multiracial than neighboring Pomona (2.8% Multiracial), South Fork (0% Multiracial), Brandsville (0% Multiracial), and Willow Springs (2.6% Multiracial). West Plains is less Multiracial than neighboring Koshkonong (28.8% 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.