Ava, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ava, Missouri had a total population of 3,045, the 200th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $42,500, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Ava Quick Facts
How Ava 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 | 2,978 | 3,045 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $44,722 | $42,500 | -5.0% |
| Median home value | $134,800 | $148,000 | +9.8% |
How Ava 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+)
Ava Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Ava
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaffee | 3,026 | $43,542 | $117,400 | 19.5% | 9.2% |
| Piedmont | 2,911 | $40,019 | $97,700 | 11.4% | 49.0% |
| Bethany | 3,080 | $48,375 | $121,700 | 17.4% | 17.1% |
| Cuba | 3,189 | $45,916 | $136,600 | 9.5% | 14.1% |
| Windsor | 3,094 | $49,783 | $101,400 | 15.2% | 24.2% |
Population Overview
Ava is a small community located in Missouri, within Douglas County. The total population is 3,045. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ava is 34.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.8% 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 Ava is $42,500. This is 40% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 73% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $148,000. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 54.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ava has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ava, 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.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ava, Missouri?
Ava, Missouri has a population of 3,045 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ava, MO?
The median household income in Ava is $42,500, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ava, MO?
The poverty rate in Ava is 21.7%. This means approximately 639 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ava, Missouri?
Ava's population is 96.8% White, 1.7% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ava, MO?
The median home value in Ava is $148,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Ava, Missouri?
12.1% of adults (25+) in Ava hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.