Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Poplar Bluff, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

16,254

Median Agei

37.3

Race & Ethnicityi

White

78.5%12,759

Black

9.1%1,479

Two or More

7.3%1,179

Hispanic/Latino

2.4%395

Other

1.3%216

Asian

0.9%150

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.5%76

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

6.1%674

High School Diploma

36%3,976

Some College (<1 yr)

8.6%951

Some College (1+ yr)

10.5%1,159

Associate's Degree

7.8%867

Bachelor's Degree

9.4%1,042

Master's Degree

3.8%423

Professional Degree

0.3%28

Doctorate

0.9%100

HS or Higher

83.4%

BA or Higher

14.4%

Graduate+

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$119,800

Median Renti

$760

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

53.1%3,451

Renter-Occupied

46.9%3,053

Total Units

7,711

Homeownership

53.1%

Vacancy Rate

15.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

7.9%272

$50K–$100K

31.8%1,099

$100K–$150K

20.2%696

$150K–$200K

17%588

$200K–$300K

15.2%526

$300K–$500K

5.4%187

$500K–$1M

2.4%83

Rent Distribution

Under $500

890

$500–$750

526

$750–$1,000

911

$1,000–$1,250

452

$1,250–$1,500

103

$1,500–$2,000

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.4%32

2010–2019

3.9%298

2000–2009

10.7%827

1990–1999

6.9%532

1980–1989

11%845

1970–1979

22%1,694

1960–1969

16.3%1,254

1950–1959

10.6%821

1940–1949

5.8%449

1939 or earlier

12.4%959

Heating Fuel

Electricity

63.6%4,135

Utility Gas

34.3%2,232

Bottled/LP Gas

1.1%72

No Fuel

0.7%44

Wood

0.2%14

Other

0.1%7

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$41,941

Mean Household Incomei

$54,648

Per Capita Incomei

$22,619

Poverty Ratei

20%

Unemploymenti

4.9%

Labor Forcei

6,658

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

8.9%576

$10K–$15K

11.6%755

$15K–$20K

8.6%558

$20K–$25K

3.9%252

$25K–$30K

9.1%591

$30K–$35K

3.3%212

$35K–$40K

2.7%176

$40K–$45K

5.6%364

$45K–$50K

4.4%284

$50K–$60K

6.8%442

$60K–$75K

10.5%681

$75K–$100K

8%521

$100K–$125K

9.2%600

$125K–$150K

2.6%171

$150K–$200K

3.6%236

$200K+

1.3%85

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

898

Residentsi

1,461

Avg. Tenant Renti

$342/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

11 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing575 homes99% occupied$332/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers266 homes75% occupied$372/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 848 homes77% occupied$290/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC9 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $41,941/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $13K/yr

70.3%

Very low income$13K–$21K/yr

23.3%

Low income$21K–$34K/yr

5.8%

Moderate / aboveOver $34K/yr

0.6%

Who Receives This Housing

71.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

23.9% of subsidized households are minority

35.7% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

40.1% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2321.4%

By Region

Top Countries

Philippines

Canada

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

6,271

Avg. Commutei

17.6 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

6,316

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,139(9.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

84.8%Insured

15.2%Uninsured