Buchanan County

As of the 2020 Census, Buchanan County, MO, has a population of approximately 87,364. The racial composition is around 84.7% White, 7.3% Black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.5% Native American, and 4.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median household income is about $50,878 with 15.5% of the population living below the poverty line. Age distribution shows a median age of 38.8 years. The county seat is St. Joseph, which is the largest city in the county.

Buchanan County, MO, features a median home value around $125,000. Average rent prices hover at approximately $750 per month. Homeownership rate in the county is about 65%, with around 35% of residents renting. The area has approximately 36,000 housing units. The vacancy rate for housing units is approximately 12%, providing some availability for new residents. The county's housing market is generally affordable compared to national averages.

For Buchanan County, MO elections, visit the official Buchanan County Clerk's website or the Missouri Secretary of State's page for the latest data. As of the most recent election, key races included local government positions and ballot measures.

• County Commissioner (Western District):

  • Republican Candidate: Ron Hook
  • Democratic Candidate: None
  • Votes: Hook received 7,829 votes.

• Sheriff:

  • Republican Candidate: Bill Puett
  • Democratic Candidate: None
  • Votes: Puett received 14,561 votes.

• County Assessor:

  • Republican Candidate: Rebecca L. Connor
  • Democratic Candidate: None
  • Votes: Connor received 13,009 votes.

Local measures typically involve budgetary decisions, school funding, and infrastructure projects.

For detailed and updated results, including smaller races and precise voter turnout, check official county resources closer to or after election days.

Buchanan County, MO's educational attainment levels show that approximately 87.2% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, which is closely aligned with the national average of 88.0%. About 21.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is lower than both the national average of 33.1% and the Missouri state average of 30.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). While the high school completion rate is comparable to broader trends, the attainment of higher education degrees lags behind both state and national levels, indicating room for educational improvement in the county.

As of recent data, Buchanan County, MO, has an employment rate of approximately 63.2%. The top industries in the county are healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade, employing around 19%, 14%, and 12% of the workforce, respectively.

Comparatively, on the national level, the healthcare and social assistance sector employs about 16% of workers, manufacturing around 8.5%, and retail trade roughly 10%. Missouri state averages are similar but slightly lower, with healthcare and social assistance at 17%, manufacturing at 12%, and retail trade close to 11%.

Unemployment in Buchanan County mirrors national rates at around 4%, in line with Missouri's statewide average, which hovers around 3.7%. These figures highlight a stronger manufacturing presence in Buchanan County compared to both state and national averages.

As of the latest available data, the average household income in Buchanan County, MO, is approximately $49,600. This is lower than both the national and Missouri state averages. Nationally, the average household income stands at around $68,700, while Missouri's average is about $55,460.

Income Comparison

Buchanan County's average falls short by $19,100 compared to the national average and by $5,860 compared to the state average. This discrepancy highlights the economic differences that exist at local, state, and national levels.

As of the latest available data, Buchanan County, MO, has the following crime rates per 1,000 residents:

Violent Crimes

• Assault: 4.2
• Robbery: 1.0
• Rape: 0.8
• Murder: 0.5

Property Crimes

• Burglary: 5.5
• Theft: 14.0
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 2.8

These statistics reveal that Buchanan County experiences a higher rate of property crime compared to violent crime, consistent with broader trends seen in many similar counties.