Appleton City, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Appleton City, Missouri had a total population of 1,221, the 346th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $49,036, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Appleton City Quick Facts
How Appleton City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,187 | 1,221 | +2.9% |
| Median household income | $44,615 | $49,036 | +9.9% |
| Median home value | $86,500 | $98,200 | +13.5% |
How Appleton City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Appleton City Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in St. Clair County
Cities Similar to Appleton City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Port | 1,221 | $45,815 | $115,600 | 26.9% | 13.7% |
| Sweet Springs | 1,268 | $46,780 | $107,900 | 13.1% | 14.9% |
| Belle | 1,246 | $55,192 | $151,000 | 11.5% | 21.8% |
| Edina | 1,250 | $42,396 | $85,600 | 17.5% | 22.4% |
| Dixon | 1,334 | $49,904 | $134,200 | 16.3% | 22.2% |
Population Overview
Appleton City is a small community located in Missouri, within St. Clair County. The total population is 1,221. It ranks as the 346th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Appleton City is 39.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 18.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Appleton City is $49,036. This is 31% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $98,200. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Appleton City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Appleton City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
18.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Appleton City, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Appleton City, Missouri?
Appleton City, Missouri has a population of 1,221 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Appleton City, MO?
The median household income in Appleton City is $49,036, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Appleton City, MO?
The poverty rate in Appleton City is 10.9%. This means approximately 123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Appleton City, Missouri?
Appleton City's population is 92.5% White, 1.5% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Appleton City, MO?
The median home value in Appleton City is $98,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Appleton City, Missouri?
18.2% of adults (25+) in Appleton City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.