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.

Charleston, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

4,482

Median Agei

41.8

Race & Ethnicityi

Black

45.2%2,028

White

43.3%1,940

Two or More

9.2%414

Asian

1.4%62

Hispanic/Latino

0.8%36

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%2

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

16.3%520

High School Diploma

39.3%1,255

Some College (<1 yr)

3.2%101

Some College (1+ yr)

7.3%232

Associate's Degree

7.6%242

Bachelor's Degree

7.5%239

Master's Degree

2.3%75

Professional Degree

0.1%4

HS or Higher

83.5%

BA or Higher

9.9%

Graduate+

2.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$123,700

Median Renti

$774

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

50%656

Renter-Occupied

50%657

Total Units

1,571

Homeownership

50%

Vacancy Rate

16.4%

Home Values

Under $50K

11.7%77

$50K–$100K

22.1%145

$100K–$150K

39.3%258

$150K–$200K

10.4%68

$200K–$300K

16.5%108

Rent Distribution

Under $500

141

$500–$750

148

$750–$1,000

238

$1,000–$1,250

$1,250–$1,500

$2,000+

Year Built

2000–2009

2.5%40

1990–1999

4%63

1980–1989

21.8%343

1970–1979

20.2%317

1960–1969

18.7%294

1950–1959

8.7%136

1940–1949

10.6%166

1939 or earlier

13.5%212

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

68.3%897

Electricity

31.2%410

Bottled/LP Gas

0.5%6

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$33,952

Mean Household Incomei

$53,460

Per Capita Incomei

$17,300

Poverty Ratei

18.3%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

1,341

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6.9%90

$10K–$15K

14.1%185

$15K–$20K

8.7%114

$20K–$25K

3.1%41

$25K–$30K

9.1%119

$30K–$35K

11.3%149

$35K–$40K

0.8%10

$40K–$45K

4.6%61

$45K–$50K

4%53

$50K–$60K

5%65

$60K–$75K

4.3%56

$75K–$100K

11.9%156

$100K–$125K

9.4%124

$125K–$150K

3.6%47

$150K–$200K

0.8%10

$200K+

2.5%33

Ancestry & Heritage

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

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

270.6%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

145(4.1% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

91.7%Insured

8.3%Uninsured