Signals
Americus
West Plains
Growth
18 · Bottom 8%
vs25 · Bottom 13%
Climate
81 · Top 3%
vs73 · Top 27%
Physical resilience
52 · Bottom 45%
vs38 · Bottom 27%
Housing affordability
87 · Bottom 31%
vs96 · Top 46%
Access
40 · Bottom 6%
vs40 · Bottom 6%
Economic stability
18 · Bottom 8%
vs23 · Bottom 14%
Measured values
| Metric | Americus | West Plains | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,574 | 40,383 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $43,688 | $50,993 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $27,650 | $27,570 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 52/sq mi | 44/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $122,400 | $173,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $854 | $733 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 59.7% | 70.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 17.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 22.4% | 20.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 34 | 28 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.0 | 0.7 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -19.0% | -70.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 91°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 35°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 53.4" | 47.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 90 mi | 89 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.1 min | 23.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.4 | 40.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Americus
Elevated or high exposure: drought, hurricane, tornado.
West Plains
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, earthquake, cold wave.
Your best match
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Americus
49
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Area Score
West Plains
49
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Americus, GA Micro Area · West Plains, MO Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology