Bates City, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bates City, Missouri had a total population of 162, the 783rd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $88,750, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.8% — among the lowest in Missouri.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Bates City Quick Facts
How Bates 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 | 183 | 162 | -11.5% |
| Median household income | $83,333 | $88,750 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $212,500 | $218,800 | +3.0% |
How Bates 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+)
Bates City Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Lafayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa | 5,620 | $100,022 | 6.1% | $238,200 |
| Higginsville | 4,781 | $81,033 | 6.8% | $166,100 |
| Lexington | 4,606 | $56,905 | 17.0% | $161,300 |
| Concordia | 2,332 | $59,068 | 15.5% | $166,500 |
| Waverly | 901 | $47,969 | 9.8% | $117,700 |
| Alma | 450 | $68,750 | 9.6% | $155,000 |
| Corder | 442 | $91,250 | 12.4% | $83,100 |
| Wellington | 432 | $67,045 | 13.7% | $144,200 |
| Mayview | 301 | $116,250 | 10.6% | $113,000 |
| Emma | 270 | $81,667 | 3.0% | $124,300 |
Cities Similar to Bates City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillipsburg | 164 | N/A | $112,500 | 2.9% | 7.5% |
| Olean | 168 | N/A | N/A | 2.8% | 5.9% |
| Oaks | 156 | N/A | $338,900 | 44.9% | 1.3% |
| Rhineland | 165 | $95,625 | $170,500 | 29.5% | 7.4% |
| Stanton | 175 | N/A | $173,800 | 36.4% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 162, Bates City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bates City is a small community located in Missouri, within Lafayette County. The total population is 162. It ranks as the 783rd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bates City is 44.5 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bates City is $88,750. This is 26% higher than the state median of $70,702. It is also 10% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.8%. This is 85% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 131% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $218,800. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Bates City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bates City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.2%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 94.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bates 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 Bates City, Missouri?
Bates City, Missouri has a population of 162 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bates City, MO?
The median household income in Bates City is $88,750, which is 10% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bates City, MO?
The poverty rate in Bates City is 1.8%. This means approximately 3 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bates City, Missouri?
Bates City's population is 96.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bates City, MO?
The median home value in Bates City is $218,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Bates City, Missouri?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Bates City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.