Missouri: government, population and official figures

Missouri is a state of the United States, number 18 of 51 by population. Missouri had an estimated 6,270,541 residents on 1 July 2025, 1.8% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 18th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.43%, 25th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Missouri?

The governor is Mike Kehoe. Governor's office. Phone: 1-573-751-3222. Address: P.O. Box 720 Jefferson City , MO 65102.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Missouri: The economy of Missouri (gross domestic product) was worth $475.4 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.5% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 22nd largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.3% on 2024.
• Health in Missouri: Life expectancy at birth in Missouri was 75.2 years in 2022, 11th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Missouri: 89.8% of public high school students in Missouri graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 7th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Missouri: The Census Bureau estimates that 12.2% of people in Missouri lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 740,873 people; 18th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Missouri: Missouri's state government took in $46.1 billion in fiscal year 2024, $7,376 per resident, 7th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Missouri

• Missouri
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Social Services
• Consumer Protection Section
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• Office of Prosecution Services
• Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
• Elections and Voting
• State Emergency Management Agency
• Department of Health & Senior Services
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Missouri

1. Kansas City 521,220 (2025)
2. St. Louis 278,144 (2025)
3. Springfield 169,847 (2025)
4. Columbia 130,851 (2025)
5. Independence 121,675 (2025)
6. Lee's Summit 107,514 (2025)
7. O'Fallon 96,101 (2025)
8. St. Charles 72,561 (2025)
9. St. Joseph 71,001 (2025)
10. Blue Springs 61,632 (2025)
11. St. Peters 61,479 (2025)
12. Joplin 53,930 (2025)
13. Florissant 51,124 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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