Workforce Development

What Drives Workforce Development in Missouri?

Missouri is experiencing relatively slow population growth, which means that as older workers retire, it will become more challenging to replace those workers. 

Missouri, like much of the Midwest, has experienced slow growth between 2010 and 2020, with a population growth of just over 3%. More than half of Missourians live in the adjacent counties that connect St. Louis to Kansas City through the I-70 corridor and between St. Louis and Springfield, along the I-44 Corridor. People, jobs, and homes are clustered near St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, Joplin, and St. Joseph, Missouri.  

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Total Population, US Census, 2020

County Total
Adair 25,314
Andrew 18,135
Atchison 5,305
Audrain 24,962
Barry 34,534
Barton 11,637
Bates 16,042
Benton 19,394
Bollinger 10,567
Boone 183,610
Buchanan 84,793
Butler 42,130
Caldwell 8,815
Callaway 44,283
Camden 42,745
Cape Girardeau 81,710
Carroll 8,495
Carter 5,202
Cass 107,824
Cedar 14,188
Chariton 7,408
Christian 88,842
Clark 6,634
Clay 253,335
Clinton 21,184
Cole 77,279
Cooper 17,103
Crawford 23,056
Dade 7,569
Dallas 17,071
Daviess 8,430
DeKalb 11,029
Dent 14,421
Douglas 11,578
Dunklin 28,283
Franklin 104,682
Gasconade 14,794
Gentry 6,162
Greene 298,915
Grundy 9,808
Harrison 8,157
Henry 21,946
Hickory 8,279
Holt 4,223
Howard 10,151
Howell 39,750
Iron 9,537
Jackson 717,204
Jasper 122,761
Jefferson 226,739
Johnson 54,013
Knox 3,744
Laclede 36,039
Lafayette 32,984
Lawrence 38,001
Lewis 10,032
Lincoln 59,574
Linn 11,874
Livingston 14,557
Macon 15,209
Madison 12,626
Maries 8,432
Marion 28,525
McDonald 23,303
Mercer 3,538
Miller 24,722
Mississippi 12,577
Moniteau 15,473
Monroe 8,666
Montgomery 11,322
Morgan 21,006
New Madrid 16,434
Newton 58,648
Nodaway 21,241
Oregon 8,635
Osage 13,274
Ozark 8,553
Pemiscot 15,661
Perry 18,956
Pettis 42,980
Phelps 44,638
Pike 17,587
Platte 106,718
Polk 31,519
Pulaski 53,955
Putnam 4,681
Ralls 10,355
Randolph 24,716
Ray 23,158
Reynolds 6,096
Ripley 10,679
Saline 23,333
Schuyler 4,032
Scotland 4,716
Scott 38,059
Shannon 7,031
Shelby 6,103
St. Charles 405,262
St. Clair 9,284
St. Francois 66,922
St. Louis 1,004,125
St. Louis city 301,578
Ste. Genevieve 18,479
Stoddard 28,672
Stone 31,076
Sullivan 5,999
Taney 56,066
Texas 24,487
Vernon 19,707
Warren 35,532
Washington 23,514
Wayne 10,974
Webster 39,085
Worth 1,973
Wright 18,188

Population loss

Population gain

Most of Missouri’s counties experienced population decline.

Between 2010 and 2020, Missouri’s total population growth occurred primarily along its interstate corridors, I-70 from Kansas City to Saint Louis; I-44 from Saint Louis to Joplin; and I-55 from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau. Other tourism-centered counties experienced growth, such as those near the Lake of the Ozarks and Branson. Much of northern Missouri experienced population decline (-2% to -14%), and southeast Missouri experienced the most significant population decline, ranging from approximately -1% to -25%. Locations with the greatest population decline will likely face challenges in finding employees and could face a declining customer base. 

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Total Population Change, 2010-2020

County Net Change Percent Change
Adair -293 -1.14
Andrew 844 4.88
Atchison -380 -6.68
Audrain -567 -2.22
Barry -1063 -2.99
Barton -765 -6.17
Bates -1007 -5.91
Benton 338 1.77
Bollinger -1796 -14.53
Boone 20968 12.89
Buchanan -4408 -4.94
Butler -664 -1.55
Caldwell -609 -6.46
Callaway -48 -0.11
Camden -1257 -2.86
Cape Girardeau 6036 7.98
Carroll -800 -8.61
Carter -1063 -16.97
Cass 8325 8.37
Cedar 206 1.47
Chariton -423 -5.4
Christian 11420 14.75
Clark -505 -7.07
Clay 31396 14.15
Clinton 441 2.13
Cole 1335 1.76
Cooper -492 -2.8
Crawford -1640 -6.64
Dade -314 -3.98
Dallas 294 1.75
Daviess -3 -0.04
DeKalb -1863 -14.45
Dent -1236 -7.89
Douglas -2106 -15.39
Dunklin -3670 -11.49
Franklin 3190 3.14
Gasconade -428 -2.81
Gentry -576 -8.55
Greene 23742 8.63
Grundy -453 -4.41
Harrison -800 -8.93
Henry -326 -1.46
Hickory -1348 -14
Holt -689 -14.03
Howard 7 0.07
Howell -650 -1.61
Iron -1093 -10.28
Jackson 43067 6.39
Jasper 5379 4.58
Jefferson 8006 3.66
Johnson 1418 2.7
Knox -387 -9.37
Laclede 468 1.32
Lafayette -397 -1.19
Lawrence -633 -1.64
Lewis -179 -1.75
Lincoln 7008 13.33
Linn -887 -6.95
Livingston -638 -4.2
Macon -357 -2.29
Madison 400 3.27
Maries -744 -8.11
Marion -256 -0.89
McDonald 220 0.95
Mercer -247 -6.53
Miller -26 -0.11
Mississippi -1781 -12.4
Moniteau -134 -0.86
Monroe -174 -1.97
Montgomery -914 -7.47
Morgan 441 2.14
New Madrid -2525 -13.32
Newton 516 0.89
Nodaway -2129 -9.11
Oregon -2246 -20.64
Osage -650 -4.67
Ozark -1170 -12.03
Pemiscot -2635 -14.4
Perry -15 -0.08
Pettis 779 1.85
Phelps -518 -1.15
Pike -929 -5.02
Platte 17395 19.47
Polk 382 1.23
Pulaski 1681 3.22
Putnam -298 -5.99
Ralls 188 1.85
Randolph -698 -2.75
Ray -336 -1.43
Reynolds -600 -8.96
Ripley -3421 -24.26
Saline -37 -0.16
Schuyler -399 -9
Scotland -127 -2.62
Scott -1129 -2.88
Shannon -1410 -16.7
Shelby -270 -4.24
St. Charles 44777 12.42
St. Clair -521 -5.31
St. Francois 1563 2.39
St. Louis 5347 0.54
St. Louis city -17892 -5.6
Ste. Genevieve 334 1.84
Stoddard -1296 -4.32
Stone -1123 -3.49
Sullivan -715 -10.65
Taney 4391 8.5
Texas -1521 -5.85
Vernon -1452 -6.86
Warren 3019 9.29
Washington -1681 -6.67
Wayne -2547 -18.84
Webster 2883 7.96
Worth -198 -9.12
Wright -627 -3.33

Population loss

Population gain

Natural population growth has slowed across rural Missouri.

Missouri’s natural population growth has been negative since the pandemic, due in part to an increased number of deaths and a declining number of births. The total population trend has moved in a positive direction in the last two years, with total annual deaths declining, and the number of yearly births appears to have stabilized.

However, the number of annual deaths remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the number of yearly births remains lower than pre-pandemic levels. This suggests that Missouri’s population growth for the next few years is not likely driven by the natural increase in its population. Instead, this suggests that Missouri’s population growth will become more dependent on attracting people to the state. Attracting people to move to Missouri and into its communities will be essential to ensure that there is a stable or growing workforce and that the economy is supported by a growing population.  

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Natural Population, Rate of Change, 2023

County Change Rate
Adair 2.95
Andrew -0.39
Atchison -7.02
Audrain -1.73
Barry -2.03
Barton -0.6
Bates -1.04
Benton -6.8
Bollinger -0.47
Boone 3.51
Buchanan -0.44
Butler -4.49
Caldwell -2.23
Callaway -0.11
Camden -4.22
Cape Girardeau 1.27
Carroll -5.12
Carter 1.68
Cass 0.8
Cedar 0.94
Chariton -5.27
Christian 1.73
Clark 1.51
Clay 3.69
Clinton -2.03
Cole 0.31
Cooper 0.53
Crawford -2.73
Dade -10.43
Dallas -2.47
Daviess 3.16
DeKalb -3.94
Dent -4.49
Douglas -3.1
Dunklin -4.77
Franklin -1.81
Gasconade -7.08
Gentry -1.9
Greene 0.65
Grundy -0.72
Harrison -3.41
Henry -4.26
Hickory -10.18
Holt -4.7
Howard -0.49
Howell -4.79
Iron -9.43
Jackson 3.02
Jasper 1.71
Jefferson -0.98
Johnson 4.29
Knox 1.87
Laclede -0.87
Lafayette -1.23
Lawrence -0.54
Lewis -3.05
Lincoln 2.94
Linn -3.63
Livingston -3.35
Macon -2.31
Madison -4.45
Maries -2.36
Marion -2.78
McDonald 0.54
Mercer 6.33
Miller -0.43
Mississippi -5
Moniteau 1.83
Monroe -2.16
Montgomery -4.62
Morgan -1.04
New Madrid -7.25
Newton -0.74
Nodaway 1.75
Oregon -6.89
Osage 2.3
Ozark -6.75
Pemiscot -8.67
Perry -2.26
Pettis 1.63
Phelps -1.34
Pike -3.62
Platte 2.69
Polk -0.46
Pulaski 5.29
Putnam -1.09
Ralls 0
Randolph -0.75
Ray -4.18
Reynolds -3.36
Ripley -5.85
Saline -1.07
Schuyler 0.98
Scotland 8.51
Scott -1.61
Shannon -4.68
Shelby -6.58
St. Charles 1.66
St. Clair -2.76
St. Francois -3.19
St. Louis -0.63
St. Louis city 0.62
Ste. Genevieve -3.23
Stoddard -3.56
Stone -5.08
Sullivan 2.07
Taney -1.6
Texas -4.21
Vernon -4.25
Warren 1.07
Washington -3.86
Wayne -7.48
Webster 3.98
Worth -12.19
Wright 0.82

Population loss

Population gain

Migration sustains population growth.

A majority of Missouri counties have begun to see a shift in migration patterns, with more people choosing to move into Missouri’s counties than moving out of them. This marks a change in migration patterns since 2020. This is a positive development, and it will play a crucial role in sustaining local populations, providing a new pool of workers and consumers at the county level. Counties along the Missouri River and those south of it saw the greatest increase in population growth.  

About half of the counties in northern Missouri experienced a slight migration out of their borders, as did the counties located in the Bootheel. The Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin, and retirement regions near Branson and Lake of the Ozarks saw migration into their communities. On the eastern side of the state, St. Louis City and County experienced a negative net migration, while the surrounding counties saw a significant net migration into these areas. This suggests that the population in the St. Louis metro is shifting and expanding outward from St. Louis County and City.  

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Net Migration, 2021-2022

County Net Migration, Total Percent of Total
Adair County -188 -1
Andrew County 178 1.1
Atchison County 1 0.02
Audrain County 5 0
Barry County 355 1.2
Barton County 83 0.8
Bates County 175 1.2
Benton County 394 2.3
Bollinger County -57 -0.6
Boone County -290 -0.2
Buchanan County -530 -0.8
Butler County 29 0.1
Caldwell County 186 2.3
Callaway County 122 0.3
Camden County 719 1.8
Cape Girardeau County 177 0.3
Carroll County 19 0.3
Carter County -30 -0.6
Cass County 995 1
Cedar County 192 1.6
Chariton County 28 0.4
Christian County 1115 1.3
Clark County -39 -0.7
Clay County 913 0.4
Clinton County 236 1.2
Cole County 98 0.1
Cooper County 122 0.8
Crawford County 165 0.8
Dade County 86 1.3
Dallas County 266 1.8
Daviess County 22 0.3
DeKalb County -100 -1.2
Dent County 230 1.8
Douglas County 331 2.9
Dunklin County -45 -0.2
Franklin County 936 1
Gasconade County 45 0.3
Gentry County 88 1.5
Greene County 581 0.2
Grundy County 98 1.2
Harrison County 28 0.4
Henry County 217 1.1
Hickory County 185 2.4
Holt County 75 1.9
Howard County -46 -0.6
Howell County 644 1.8
Iron County 147 1.8
Jackson County -2703 -0.5
Jasper County 470 0.4
Jefferson County 1701 0.8
Johnson County -42 -0.1
Knox County 39 1.1
Laclede County 324 1
Lafayette County 234 0.8
Lawrence County 367 1.1
Lewis County 26 0.3
Lincoln County 1174 2
Linn County 187 1.7
Livingston County -34 -0.3
Macon County 67 0.5
Madison County 125 1.2
Maries County -48 -0.6
Marion County -40 -0.2
McDonald County 111 0.6
Mercer County -20 -0.7
Miller County 440 2
Mississippi County -46 -0.5
Moniteau County -79 -0.6
Monroe County -4 -0.05
Montgomery County 156 1.5
Morgan County 211 1.1
New Madrid County -88 -0.7
Newton County 614 1.2
Nodaway County -205 -1.3
Oregon County 248 3
Osage County -48 -0.4
Ozark County 224 2.9
Pemiscot County -145 -1.2
Perry County 135 0.8
Pettis County 47 0.1
Phelps County 85 0.2
Pike County 161 1.1
Platte County 848 0.9
Polk County 469 1.7
Pulaski County -413 -1
Putnam County -37 -0.9
Ralls County 172 1.8
Randolph County 96 0.5
Ray County 215 1
Reynolds County 11 0.2
Ripley County 213 2
Saline County -214 -1.2
Schuyler County 98 2.6
Scotland County -118 -2.7
Scott County 32 0.1
Shannon County 131 2
Shelby County -43 -0.8
St. Charles County 2104 0.6
St. Clair County 194 2.4
St. Francois County 92 0.2
St. Louis city -6131 -2.9
St. Louis County -5118 -0.6
Ste. Genevieve County 155 0.9
Stoddard County 213 0.9
Stone County 649 2.3
Sullivan County -106 -2
Taney County 608 1.2
Texas County 530 2.5
Vernon County 192 1.1
Warren County 770 2.3
Washington County 69 0.4
Wayne County 51 0.5
Webster County 730 2
Worth County 4 0.2
Wright County 212 1.3

Population loss

Population gain

Many rural counties experienced an increase in their youth population.

Since 2020, many rural counties, south of I-70, have experienced a growing youth population, ages 0-15.  Other outer-ring counties near Kansas City and St. Louis experienced population growth, as did counties along the northern border, near Iowa. While this is a relatively recent trend, it may suggest a shift in local population trends regarding where people choose to live and raise children.  Unfortunately, the Bootheel region and the core metro counties in the Saint Louis and Kansas City regions have experienced population decline. Declining youth populations may first pose a challenge for local school districts, and later a challenge to local employers, as the pool of future workers and customers declines.  

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Population Age, 0-15, 2020-2023

County Percent Change Net Change
Adair 1.2 46
Andrew -1.5 -51
Atchison -4.9 -43
Audrain -2.1 -95
Barry 2 131
Barton -1.2 -27
Bates 1.9 56
Benton 4 110
Bollinger 2.7 51
Boone 0.6 193
Buchanan -4.3 -685
Butler 0.9 73
Caldwell 0.9 15
Callaway -0.3 -20
Camden -0.8 -48
Cape Girardeau -0.1 -8
Carroll -1.6 -24
Carter 8.2 80
Cass 0.3 62
Cedar 6 167
Chariton -1.3 -18
Christian 4.4 816
Clark -0.8 -10
Clay -1.5 -752
Clinton -1.2 -46
Cole -3 -426
Cooper 0.9 26
Crawford -6.7 -285
Dade -2.5 -32
Dallas 1.9 63
Daviess 1.2 20
DeKalb 0.5 9
Dent 1.9 49
Douglas 11.8 245
Dunklin -3.9 -234
Franklin -1.3 -259
Gasconade -2.1 -53
Gentry 5.2 69
Greene 0.1 50
Grundy 0.7 14
Harrison -3.1 -50
Henry 2.3 94
Hickory 15.2 166
Holt 9.8 66
Howard -3.9 -71
Howell 0.7 52
Iron 2.5 39
Jackson -2.3 -3204
Jasper -0.3 -75
Jefferson -1.7 -704
Johnson 4.4 432
Knox -5.7 -43
Laclede 0.6 47
Lafayette -3.2 -201
Lawrence 2.8 225
Lewis -7.7 -139
Lincoln 6.9 863
Linn -1.5 -33
Livingston -1 -26
McDonald 1.3 62
Macon -2.1 -59
Madison -2.8 -66
Maries -0.6 -9
Marion -4.1 -224
Mercer 1 7
Miller 2.4 114
Mississippi -1.4 -31
Moniteau -1.7 -54
Monroe 0.1 1
Montgomery -0.8 -16
Morgan 4.3 171
New Madrid -7.1 -224
Newton 3.1 354
Nodaway -0.4 -12
Oregon 5.5 88
Osage 2.1 52
Ozark 5.6 72
Pemiscot -6.1 -205
Perry -5 -177
Pettis 0.2 19
Phelps 0.6 47
Pike 0.4 12
Platte 1.1 219
Polk 4.1 248
Pulaski -1.2 -124
Putnam 2.6 23
Ralls -0.8 -14
Randolph 0.8 34
Ray 2.1 88
Reynolds -5.7 -53
Ripley 8.2 169
St. Charles -1 -750
St. Clair 7.3 115
Ste. Genevieve 1.9 61
St. Francois -3.3 -378
St. Louis -2.9 -5324
Saline -0.6 -25
Schuyler 2.9 26
Scotland 0.8 9
Scott -0.9 -68
Shannon 7.8 98
Shelby -6.9 -85
Stoddard -2.3 -117
Stone 6.5 268
Sullivan -5.1 -57
Taney -0.7 -63
Texas 4.6 196
Vernon 0.5 19
Warren 1.4 97
Washington 0.3 14
Wayne -0.9 -16
Webster 6.8 606
Worth 0 0
Wright 9.2 355
St. Louis city -10.6 -5055

Population loss

Population gain

Most metro and rural counties experience population growth

Since 2020, many rural counties and metro counties have experienced a growth in their emerging workforce cohorts, ages 16-24.  Other outer-ring counties near Kansas City and St. Louis experienced population growth, as did counties along the northern border, near Iowa. While this is a relatively new trend, it may suggest a shift in population trends regarding where people choose to live and raise children.  Unfortunately, the Bootheel region and the core metro counties in the Saint Louis and Kansas City regions experienced population decline. These declining populations may first pose a challenge for local high schools and colleges, and later a challenge for local employers, as the pool of future workers and customers declines.  

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Population Change, Age 15-24, 2020-2023

County Percent Change Net Change
Adair -2.63 -206
Andrew -2.38 -49
Atchison -2.88 -15
Audrain -4.29 -130
Barry -0.2 -8
Barton 0.82 12
Bates -2.71 -53
Benton 7.91 132
Bollinger -1.86 -21
Boone 0.85 354
Buchanan -0.61 -68
Butler -0.49 -26
Caldwell -1.53 -17
Callaway -0.81 -49
Camden 3.59 145
Cape Girardeau -0.92 -134
Carroll -5.6 -57
Carter -0.65 -4
Cass 2.36 310
Cedar 0.61 10
Chariton 12.86 97
Christian 4.47 471
Clark -1.1 -8
Clay 1.86 580
Clinton -0.8 -20
Cole 1.59 155
Cooper -2.08 -44
Crawford 0.71 19
Dade 0.24 2
Dallas 8.52 160
Daviess -0.18 -2
DeKalb -15.48 -204
Dent -1.31 -21
Douglas 13.08 154
Dunklin -4.61 -162
Franklin -1.37 -168
Gasconade -0.12 -2
Gentry -1.46 -10
Greene -0.25 -128
Grundy 8.31 88
Harrison 8.38 80
Henry 3.49 84
Hickory 3.63 25
Holt 9.71 41
Howard 1.42 25
Howell 3.6 171
Iron 1.18 12
Jackson 0.61 545
Jasper 3.04 511
Jefferson 1.37 364
Johnson -2.77 -343
Knox -1.07 -5
Laclede 2.57 111
Lafayette -0.08 -3
Lawrence 2.65 127
Lewis -2.21 -42
Lincoln 4.01 291
Linn 2.14 30
Livingston 1.75 28
McDonald 0.86 26
Macon -0.33 -6
Madison 0.27 4
Maries -1.26 -12
Marion 0.08 3
Mercer -4.93 -21
Miller 2 58
Mississippi -1.91 -28
Moniteau -0.21 -4
Monroe 0.64 6
Montgomery 2.83 36
Morgan 4.78 109
New Madrid -1.7 -31
Newton 2.92 214
Nodaway -3.97 -224
Oregon 2 19
Osage 2.62 47
Ozark 12.88 98
Pemiscot -7.58 -145
Perry -1.34 -31
Pettis 4.19 227
Phelps 1.55 136
Pike 2.01 41
Platte 3.91 511
Polk -0.48 -24
Pulaski -2.33 -319
Putnam 5.27 26
Ralls -0.36 -4
Randolph -5.45 -166
Ray -3.95 -108
Reynolds 2.46 16
Ripley 6.86 77
St. Charles 0.98 501
St Clair 1.06 10
Ste. Genevieve -4.85 -100
St. Francois 6.12 495
St. Louis -4 -5057
Saline -1.47 -64
Schuyler 4.91 23
Scotland -1 -6
Scott 1.19 54
Shannon 1.82 13
Shelby 6.88 46
Stoddard -1 -33
Stone 3.51 101
Sullivan -8.6 -62
Taney 0.5 40
Texas 8.42 233
Vernon 0.71 18
Warren 4.99 210
Washington 0.29 8
Wayne 2.14 23
Webster 7.47 367
Worth -10.7 -23
Wright 3.84 86
St. Louis city -7.82 -2759

Population loss

Population gain

The prime-age worker population is seeing diverging trends since the pandemic.   

Individuals aged 25–54 are prime age workers, and they participate in the workforce at the highest rates. In looking at the map, the greatest prime age population growth occurs in the Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield, Joplin, and Cape Girardeau regions. However, St. Louis city and county’s prime age population is declining, while its northwestern metro counties are growing. This suggests a migration of the population from the denser portions of the metro to adjacent counties. The St. Louis metro is the largest population center in Missouri, and this pattern suggests that it could be more difficult for businesses to find workers and to attract businesses to the region.  

In comparison, the fastest-growing prime age population in the state is generally located in southwest Missouri, south of the I-70 corridor. The fastest growth is located east of Springfield, in smaller rural counties, and in the northwest region of the St. Louis metro. These counties could be best positioned to find additional workers, and the counties closest to the core metro counties of Green and St. Louis counties may be better positioned to attract new business because they have a more rapidly growing prime age workforce.  

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Population Change, Age 25-54, 2020-2023

County Percent Change Net Change
Adair 0.24% 17
Andrew -0.72% -47
Atchison -3.17% -56
Audrain -2.26% -208
Barry 3.01% 347
Barton 3.09% 120
Bates 3.28% 184
Benton 5.56% 305
Bollinger -0.27% -10
Boone 3.57% 2,425
Buchanan -2.12% -678
Butler -0.38% -57
Caldwell 3.77% 113
Callaway 0.41% 70
Camden 2.42% 305
Cape Griardeau 2.55% 732
Carroll -0.04% -1
Carter 0.45% 8
Cass 4.11% 1,651
Cedar 2.94% 132
Chariton 0.26% 6
Christian 5.85% 2,015
Clark -0.36% -8
Clay 2.59% 2,713
Clinton 2.62% 200
Cole 0.82% 240
Cooper 4.16% 246
Crawford -1.90% -152
Dade 4.31% 106
Dallas 4.77% 276
Daviess 0.67% 18
DeKalb -26.98% -1,339
Dent 4.21% 200
Douglas 7.70% 279
Dunklin -4.05% -390
Franklin 0.78% 294
Gasconade -1.41% -69
Gentry 4.72% 99
Greene 3.23% 3,594
Grundy 0.45% 14
Harrison 2.32% 60
Henry 2.87% 211
Hickory 7.75% 174
Holt 1.88% 25
Howard -1.59% -51
Howell 3.97% 550
Iron 0.09% 3
Jackson 0.85% 2,440
Jasper 2.43% 1,134
Jefferson 1.64% 1,452
Johnson 3.68% 690
Knox 3.23% 37
Laclede 2.39% 307
Lafayette 1.08% 129
Lawrence 3.75% 500
Lewis -2.52% -79
Lincoln 8.67% 2,024
Linn 1.22% 48
Livingston 11.46% 583
Macon 0.49% 25
Madison 3.31% 149
Maries -0.03% -1
Marion 0.49% 50
McDonald 1.82% 155
Mercer 2.16% 23
Miller 3.81% 332
Mississippi -2.59% -118
Moniteau 0.58% 33
Monroe -0.29% -8
Montgomery 2.64% 102
Morgan 5.94% 382
New Madrid -5.83% -335
Newton 3.76% 786
Nodaway -2.01% -128
Oregon 3.01% 82
Osage 0.49% 23
Ozark 8.75% 217
Pemiscot -6.26% -339
Perry -0.49% -33
Pettis 1% 156
Phelps 2.20% 328
Pike 4.79% 308
Platte 4.32% 1,868
Polk 5.63% 600
Pulaski -0.72% -150
Putnam -1.61% -24
Ralls 0.34% 12
Randolph -1.69% -163
Ray 0.23% 19
Reynolds -1.43% -29
Ripley 0.82% 31
Saline -0.79% -61
Schuyler 1.06% 14
Scotland 0.20% 3
Scott -1.06% -147
Shannon 2.47% 57
Shelby -2.04% -40
St. Charles 2.38% 3,771
St. Clair 8.16% 238
St. Francois 1.20% 322
St. Louis -1.12% -8,600
St. Louis city -6.34% -4,157
Ste. Genevieve 1.72% 112
Stoddard 0.37% 38
Stone 3.57% 318
Sullivan -3.81% -79
Taney 0.77% 142
Texas 8.21% 693
Vernon 0.67% 44
Warren 7.26% 925
Washington 0.28% 25
Wayne -2.70% -96
Webster 7.02% 994
Worth -4.75% -29
Wright 7.84% 474

Population loss

Population gain

Large groups of experienced workers are entering retirement age.

Individuals aged 54-65 are highly experienced workers and are rapidly entering retirement age. These workers often have decades of industry experience and can serve as mentors to younger workers. The map indicates that the greatest population decline occurs in the Kansas City and St. Louis regions. Counties southeast of Springfield are experiencing modest growth, as are the tourist-centered counties near Lake of the Ozarks and Branson.  Rural remote counties, such as those in northern Missouri and southeast Missouri, are declining at the fastest rates. A widespread decline in this population cohort is expected because the baby boomer generation is rapidly moving into the 65+ age cohort. Employers might consider ways to transition leadership and to provide training to help backfill the newly opened positions. 

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Population Age 54-65, 2020-2023

COUNTY Net Change Percent Change
Adair County -94 -3.55
Andrew County -121 -4.65
Atchison County -47 -5.98
Audrain County -196 -5.71
Barry County -200 -3.83
Barton County -131 -7.66
Bates County -109 -4.63
Benton County 98 2.85
Bollinger County -102 -6.1
Boone County -487 -2.51
Buchanan County -844 -7.4
Butler County -375 -6.6
Caldwell County -23 -1.8
Callaway County -245 -3.93
Camden County -207 -2.65
Cape Girardeau County -397 -3.96
Carroll County -42 -3.51
Carter County -26 -3.36
Cass County -265 -1.74
Cedar County -12 -0.6
Chariton County -120 -10.53
Christian County 126 1.12
Clark County -18 -1.74
Clay County -594 -1.9
Clinton County -80 -2.51
Cole County -362 -3.62
Cooper County -96 -4.12
Crawford County -178 -5.06
Dade County -17 -1.42
Dallas County -58 -2.26
Daviess County -59 -4.98
DeKalb County -216 -14.47
Dent County -97 -4.35
Douglas County -142 -7.73
Dunklin County -315 -8.38
Franklin County -235 -1.44
Gasconade County -109 -4.51
Gentry County -16 -1.85
Greene County -981 -2.77
Grundy County -103 -7.51
Harrison County -108 -9.23
Henry County -56 -1.73
Hickory County 48 3.25
Holt County -57 -8.53
Howard County -77 -5.49
Howell County -68 -1.28
Iron County -115 -7.72
Jackson County -5900 -6.41
Jasper County -639 -4.31
Jefferson County -940 -2.79
Johnson County -270 -4.49
Knox County -28 -4.9
Laclede County -23 -0.46
Lafayette County -126 -2.65
Lawrence County -65 -1.28
Lewis County -41 -3.02
Lincoln County 304 3.63
Linn County -149 -8.48
Livingston County -69 -3.83
Macon County -62 -2.95
Madison County -69 -3.75
Maries County -17 -1.26
Marion County -236 -6.11
McDonald County 4 0.12
Mercer County -69 -12.99
Miller County -19 -0.54
Mississippi County -70 -4.44
Moniteau County -19 -0.98
Monroe County -90 -6.55
Montgomery County -48 -2.63
Morgan County 72 2.17
New Madrid County -240 -10.01
Newton County -205 -2.53
Nodaway County -156 -6.32
Oregon County -88 -6.47
Osage County -61 -3.07
Ozark County -40 -2.69
Pemiscot County -245 -11.52
Perry County 12 0.45
Pettis County -312 -5.47
Phelps County -195 -3.51
Pike County -50 -2.12
Platte County 114 0.83
Polk County -38 -0.9
Pulaski County -36 -0.81
Putnam County -21 -3.1
Ralls County -41 -2.47
Randolph County -139 -4.34
Ray County -200 -5.63
Reynolds County -28 -2.81
Ripley County -139 -8.96
Saline County -218 -7.22
Schuyler County -13 -2.32
Scotland County -50 -8.29
Scott County -141 -2.81
Shannon County -42 -3.68
Shelby County -87 -9.61
St. Charles County -1411 -2.52
St. Clair County -38 -2.56
St. Francois County -293 -3.35
St. Louis city -5081 -13.1
St. Louis County -11010 -7.93
Ste. Genevieve County -218 -7.4
Stoddard County -290 -7.19
Stone County -11 -0.2
Sullivan County -9 -1.06
Taney County -26 -0.34
Texas County -1 -0.03
Vernon County -107 -3.91
Warren County 10 0.18
Washington County -205 -5.89
Wayne County -45 -2.47
Webster County 76 1.51
Worth County -18 -5.42
Wright County 29 1.17

Population loss

Population gain

Senior populations are growing faster than other age groups.

Senior populations, aged 65 and over, are growing in most Missouri counties. This is expected because the large cohort of baby boomers is entering retirement age. By the end of 2029, all baby boomers will be over the age of 65 and eligible for Medicare. This trend points to several important factors to consider. A majority of the 65+ population will have left the workforce. This age group will require more medical care, and over time, their homes may need to be modified to age in place. Alternatively, they will also likely need additional medical services such as home health aides. If they cannot find these services locally, they may be forced to move into assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or relocate to live with other family members. The challenge and potential opportunity for local communities and businesses is whether they can adapt to provide the necessary medical services and residential modifications to retain this proportion of the population. 

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Population Age 65+, 2020-2023

COUNTY NAME Percent Change Net Change
Adair County 2.3 90
Andrew County 8.5 297
Atchison County -3 -40
Audrain County 4.9 225
Barry County 6.2 454
Barton County 6.3 149
Bates County 3.8 119
Benton County 8 483
Bollinger County 3 67
Boone County 12.3 2943
Buchanan County 5.4 771
Butler County 3.4 274
Caldwell County 2.4 43
Callaway County 8.4 638
Camden County 8.5 1047
Cape Girardeau County 6.9 980
Carroll County 2.5 47
Carter County 4 43
Cass County 9.8 1829
Cedar County 5 165
Chariton County 2.8 50
Christian County 11.8 1710
Clark County 1.7 24
Clay County 10 3713
Clinton County 7.3 284
Cole County 7.9 1057
Cooper County 5.2 167
Crawford County 6.1 278
Dade County 3.9 70
Dallas County 5.6 197
Daviess County 8.5 149
DeKalb County 1.9 39
Dent County 4 127
Douglas County 3.1 88
Dunklin County -1.6 -84
Franklin County 10.1 1919
Gasconade County 5.3 178
Gentry County 0.9 11
Greene County 5.5 2764
Grundy County 1.9 41
Harrison County 4.5 82
Henry County 3.6 178
Hickory County 0.1 4
Holt County -1 -11
Howard County 6.4 124
Howell County 3 237
Iron County -0.6 -13
Jackson County 6.4 7107
Jasper County 6.4 1247
Jefferson County 11.5 4131
Johnson County 6.2 435
Knox County 2.9 23
Laclede County 3 194
Lafayette County 5.4 335
Lawrence County 1.6 108
Lewis County 4.3 80
Lincoln County 16.4 1368
Linn County 1.7 43
Livingston County 1.8 53
McDonald County 10.3 370
Macon County 2 66
Madison County 2.2 54
Maries County 0.9 17
Marion County 5 263
Mercer County 2 16
Miller County 6.9 335
Mississippi County -2.6 -61
Moniteau County 3.5 87
Monroe County 5 103
Montgomery County 4.3 98
Morgan County 4.9 246
New Madrid County -2.4 -77
Newton County 7.7 844
Nodaway County 6 215
Oregon County 0.4 8
Osage County 6 142
Ozark County 4.1 103
Pemiscot County -1.4 -38
Perry County 5.7 210
Pettis County 6 439
Phelps County 5.4 408
Pike County 6.6 216
Platte County 12.5 2060
Polk County 6.6 382
Pulaski County 8.6 424
Putnam County -4.9 -56
Ralls County 7.7 179
Randolph County 2.1 89
Ray County 5.9 254
Reynolds County -2.3 -33
Ripley County -0.1 -2
St. Charles County 12.5 8163
St. Clair County 3.1 76
Ste. Genevieve County 8.4 313
St. Francois County 4.2 475
St. Louis County 5.2 9551
Saline County 2.3 94
Schuyler County -0.9 -7
Scotland County 2.4 21
Scott County 2.4 171
Shannon County 5.2 84
Shelby County 0.7 9
Stoddard County 2.7 155
Stone County 7.9 776
Sullivan County 1.4 17
Taney County 5 625
Texas County 3.3 172
Vernon County 1.7 67
Warren County 13 824
Washington County 6.8 276
Wayne County 0.4 12
Webster County 7.1 427
Worth County 3 15
Wright County 6.9 248
St. Louis city 6.4 2766

Lower repalcement rates

Higher replacement rates

Worker Replacement

This map illustrates the availability of future workers in relation to future retirees over a 10-year period. During this period, the 5-14-year-old population will gradually age into the workforce, while the majority of the 55-64-year-old population will retire and exit the workforce. The worker replacement ratio is calculated by dividing the number of future workers by the number of future retirees. This is a useful way to see which counties can expect to have a growing workforce and which ones will likely have a shrinking workforce.  A country with a ratio greater than one has more future workers entering the workforce than it has future retirees. Counties with a ratio of less than one can be expected to have more people exiting the workforce than entering the workforce.   

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Worker Replacement Ratios, 2018-2022

County Net change Replacement ratio
Adair -190 0.93
Andrew -151 0.94
Atchison -130 0.83
Audrain -598 0.83
Barry -604 0.88
Barton -135 0.92
Bates -364 0.85
Benton -1596 0.54
Bollinger -490 0.72
Boone 1309 1.07
Buchanan -555 0.95
Butler -209 0.96
Caldwell -74 0.94
Callaway -969 0.84
Camden -3693 0.53
Cape Girardeau -254 0.97
Carroll -76 0.94
Carter -273 0.69
Cass -533 0.96
Cedar -275 0.87
Chariton -181 0.84
Christian 1803 1.16
Clark -89 0.91
Clay 3068 1.1
Clinton -348 0.89
Cole -393 0.96
Cooper -241 0.9
Crawford -624 0.82
Dade -350 0.71
Dallas -202 0.92
Daviess -6 0.99
DeKalb -526 0.69
Dent -329 0.85
Douglas -311 0.83
Dunklin 333 1.09
Franklin -2875 0.82
Gasconade -691 0.71
Gentry -23 0.97
Greene -473 0.99
Grundy 49 1.04
Harrison -90 0.93
Henry -660 0.8
Hickory -636 0.56
Holt -193 0.72
Howard -117 0.92
Howell 49 1.01
Iron -374 0.75
Jackson 2662 1.03
Jasper 2408 1.16
Jefferson -4210 0.87
Johnson 680 1.11
Knox -91 0.83
Laclede -117 0.98
Lafayette -381 0.92
Lawrence 354 1.07
Lewis -162 0.88
Lincoln 255 1.03
Linn -151 0.91
Livingston 20 1.01
Macon -95 0.96
Madison -159 0.91
Maries -355 0.73
Marion -86 0.98
McDonald -40 0.99
Mercer -56 0.89
Miller -363 0.9
Mississippi -55 0.97
Moniteau 245 1.12
Monroe -251 0.81
Montgomery -417 0.77
Morgan -707 0.79
New Madrid -199 0.92
Newton -137 0.98
Nodaway -636 0.75
Oregon -235 0.83
Osage -188 0.9
Ozark -515 0.66
Pemiscot 118 1.06
Perry -149 0.94
Pettis 340 1.06
Phelps -273 0.95
Pike -155 0.94
Platte 868 1.06
Polk -381 0.91
Pulaski 2138 1.5
Putnam -42 0.94
Ralls -395 0.76
Randolph -327 0.9
Ray -511 0.85
Reynolds -366 0.63
Ripley -115 0.93
Saline 31 1.01
Schuyler -4 0.99
Scotland 241 1.42
Scott 88 1.02
Shannon -274 0.76
Shelby -94 0.9
St. Charles -2115 0.96
St. Clair -443 0.7
St. Francois -730 0.92
St. Louis -60043 0.56
St. Louis City 36555 1.95
Ste. Genevieve -865 0.72
Stoddard -440 0.89
Stone -2706 0.52
Sullivan -133 0.85
Taney -803 0.89
Texas -709 0.81
Vernon -78 0.97
Warren -581 0.89
Washington -245 0.93
Wayne -658 0.66
Webster 1203 1.24
Worth -111 0.66
Wright 131 1.05

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