2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 54,013 and a median age of 32.1 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males overall and 101.7 males age 18 and over. [12]
There were 20,321 households in the county, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [12]
There were 22,601 housing units, of which 10.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 61.8% were owner-occupied and 38.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%. [12]
The racial makeup of the county was 84.0% White, 4.4% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian, 0.4% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 7.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.8% of the population. [13]
About 47.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 52.8% lived in rural areas. [14]
2000 census
As of the census [24] of 2000, there were 48,258 people, 17,410 households, and 11,821 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 18,886 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.12% White, 4.33% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. Approximately 2.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 17,410 households, out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.10% under the age of 18, 20.20% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 17.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,391, and the median income for a family was $43,050. Males had a median income of $28,901 versus $21,376 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,037. About 9.50% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.
United States
Missouri 
