Grundy County

Grundy County, Missouri – Key Demographics (latest available data):

• Population Size: Approximately 9,808 (2020 Census)
• Age Distribution:
  • Median age: 41.3 years
  • Under 18: 20.9%
  • 18 to 64: 56.2%
  • 65 and over: 22.8%
• Gender:
  • Female: 51.4%
  • Male: 48.6%
• Racial/Ethnic Composition:
  • White (non-Hispanic): 92.7%
  • Black or African American: 2.2%
  • Native American: 0.4%
  • Asian: 0.4%
  • Two or more races: 3.5%
  • Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 2.7%
• Household Data:
  • Number of households: 3,828
  • Average household size: 2.35 persons
  • Families: 2,326
  • Average family size: 2.92 persons

Key insights: Grundy County has an aging, predominantly white population, with relatively small household sizes and a modest representation of racial and ethnic minorities.

Grundy County, MO, with a population of approximately 9,800, reflects rural Midwestern digital trends. Email usage among adults is estimated at 75–80%, translating to roughly 5,000–6,500 active users. Usage is highest among residents aged 25–64, where over 85% maintain a personal email account, while adoption among those 65 and older falls to about 60%. Among teens aged 13–17, email usage is moderate (65%), often secondary to social media platforms. Gender split in email usage is nearly even, aligning with the county's overall female (51%) to male (49%) ratio. Internet access has gradually increased; about 80% of homes report broadband subscriptions, though speeds and reliability can vary in outlying areas, with some pockets dependent on satellite or mobile data. Local density averages under 20 people per square mile, impacting infrastructure. Public Wi-Fi and library computer access serve as important digital bridges for lower-income or remote residents. Despite rural challenges, email remains a primary communication tool for work, healthcare, education, and government services in Grundy County.

Mobile phone usage in Grundy County, MO reflects rural adoption patterns, with distinct characteristics compared to statewide trends. As of 2023 estimates, approximately 78% of Grundy County’s 9,873 residents use mobile phones, a rate lower than the Missouri state average of 91%. Smartphone ownership is somewhat lower, approaching 65% among adults, compared to Missouri’s 85%.

Demographic data reveals that mobile adoption is highest among residents aged 18-44, with penetration rates exceeding 90% in this group. Usage drops significantly among those 65 and older, where only 48% report owning a smartphone, as compared to the statewide senior average of 62%. Younger populations in Grundy County are catching up with state averages, due in part to mobile-dependent education and communication needs.

Digital infrastructure remains comparatively limited across Grundy County. While the Trenton area—the county seat—has 4G LTE coverage and recent expansions in fiber broadband, more remote areas still rely on older 3G towers or spotty satellite connections. Cellular network performance is notably inconsistent in the northern and western parts of the county, with data speeds averaging 12 Mbps, trailing the statewide rural average of 19 Mbps. Despite efforts from providers like AT&T and U.S. Cellular, true 5G connectivity is largely unavailable outside of Trenton proper.

Distinct trends in Grundy County include lower mobile device ownership among older residents and slightly delayed adoption of upgraded wireless networks compared to other Missouri rural counties. Persistent infrastructure challenges hinder digital equity, but targeted grants in late 2023 have initiated projects for additional cellular towers and expanded broadband, indicating potential for increased mobile usage in the near future. Overall, Grundy County’s mobile phone ecosystem is modernizing gradually, with generational divides and infrastructure lags setting it apart from broader Missouri trends.

Social Media Usage in Grundy County, MO: 2024 Breakdown

General Usage & Penetration:
Grundy County, MO, with a population of approximately 9,800, exhibits social media adoption rates similar to rural Midwest averages. Around 70% of adults report using at least one social media platform, translating to roughly 6,800 residents engaged online.

Age Group Distribution:

• Ages 18-29: 88% active social media users
• Ages 30-49: 78% active users
• Ages 50-64: 68% active users
• Ages 65+: 48% active users

Younger demographics (18-29) lead in daily engagement, while older groups (65+) favor less frequent use but steady participation.

Gender Breakdown:

• Female: 52%
• Male: 48%
  Females in Grundy County show slightly higher engagement, particularly in content sharing and participation in community groups.

Most-Used Platforms:

• Facebook: 72% of local social media users
• YouTube: 64%
• Instagram: 36%
• Snapchat: 22%
• TikTok: 19%
• Twitter/X: 14%

Behavioral Trends:
Users heavily rely on Facebook for local news, community updates, and event planning, reflecting a trend toward hyper-local communication. Engagement peaks during local school, sports, and civic events, with older users notably active in community group pages. Younger residents (under 30) are gravitating towards Instagram and TikTok for short-form video and visual content, displaying a preference for entertainment and peer interaction over news. Across age groups, private messaging (Messenger, Snapchat) is used frequently for local networking and small business communication.

Grundy County social media trends reflect a strong emphasis on connectivity, local identity, and multi-generational engagement, with platform choices and behaviors skewing toward community-oriented interaction.