How many immigrants are in Missouri?
About 257K in 2021. This represents roughly 4.2% of Missouri's population, or about 2 in every 50 residents. Immigrants include foreign-born residents who may be naturalized US citizens, authorized entrants, or undocumented individuals.
Showing data for
In 2021
257K
Missouri residents were foreign-born
In 2021
2 in 50
Missouri residents were foreign-born
The number of foreign-born residents in Missouri increased from 228K in 2011 to 257K in 2021. This growth occurred alongside changes in the native-born population due to births, deaths, and migration. The foreign-born share of Missouri's total population was 4.2% in 2021, lower than the national average of 13.6%, and up from 3.8% in 2011.
Foreign-born share of the population in Missouri
Changes in immigrant populations reflect shifts in both local and national demographics. The largest immigrant populations are found in major metropolitan areas. Metropolitan areas in California, Texas, Florida, and parts of the Northeast generally have a higher proportion of foreign-born residents.
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In 2021, among US metro areas with available data, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL had the highest foreign-born population share at 41.2%, while Beckley, WV had the lowest at 0.8%. In Missouri, Kansas City, MO-KS had the highest at 6.8%, and Jefferson City, MO had the lowest at 1.9%.
On average, 8.2% of the population in metro areas was foreign-born in 2021
Foreign-born share of the population (2021)
| 1. | Kansas City, MO-KS Metro Area | 6.8% |
| 2. | Columbia, MO Metro Area | 5.7% |
| 3. | St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area | 4.8% |
| 4. | Joplin, MO Metro Area | 4.1% |
| 5. | St. Joseph, MO-KS Metro Area | 2.9% |
| 6. | Springfield, MO Metro Area | 2.7% |
| 7. | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL Metro Area | 2.2% |
| 8. | Jefferson City, MO Metro Area | 1.9% |
