Gower: Demographics & People
Census counts 1,799 people in Gower, in 625 households. Population grew 7.3% from 1,677 (2022) to 1,799 (2024). Median age 33.0 years. (9.0y younger than Clinton County; 4.2y younger than Missouri). Children under 18 are 33% of the population. Population is 92% White (non-Hispanic) and 1% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.03). 68% of households are family-led. County is losing 125 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 40% adult obesity, 20% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs Missouri avg 2.4).
- 32% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Missouri 42%).
- 100 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Missouri 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 7.3% from 1,677 (2022) to 1,799 (2024) — about 12.1× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,932 (extrapolated at 3.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 2,118.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 84,793 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 7.3% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,677 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,799 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 1,799 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
| Population Estimate | 2,118 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 33.0y is 5.9 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 33% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 33.0 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 33.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | young professional |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,799 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 594 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 381.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 517.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 307 |
| Population under 18 | 594 |
| Median age | 33.0 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 1,799 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.03 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 1,578 |
|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 23 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 2.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 98.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 0.7% (vs Missouri 5.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 91.8% (vs Missouri 77.7%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS).
| Residents born in this state | 1,380 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 405 |
| Share born in this state | 76.7% |
| Share born in another state | 23.3% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 22.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 0.8% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 6 |
| From Africa | 6 |
Households & Family Composition
625 households. Averaging 2.6 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 68% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 423 families, 42% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 529 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 423 |
| Married couples with children | 176 |
| Single-parent households | 22 |
| Average household size | 2.65 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 14.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 47 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 22 |
| Family households | 426 households (vs Missouri 7,284) |
| Households that are families | 68.2% (vs Missouri 58.3%) |
| Total households | 625 households (vs Missouri 11,992) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 7.9% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 125 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 7.9% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 72,762 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 72,887 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -125 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 140 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.5% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 75 residents live in group quarters (4.2% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 75 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 29021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 29 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 021 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Buchanan |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 30.6% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 27.40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 34.00 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 29021 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Buchanan County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 4,460 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 29021 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Buchanan County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 46.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 40.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 45.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 87,364 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.30 |
| Family Score · Schools | 2 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 33.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 1,799, booming, young professional, upper-middle, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 1,799 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
| Town Summary · County | Buchanan County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade