Berkeley, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Berkeley, Missouri had a total population of 8,123, the 108th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $44,265, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Berkeley Quick Facts
How Berkeley 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 | 8,149 | 8,123 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $40,654 | $44,265 | +8.9% |
| Median home value | $80,000 | $82,300 | +2.9% |
How Berkeley 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+)
Berkeley Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | 10.1% | $148,800 |
| Chesterfield | 49,574 | $133,037 | 3.9% | $472,500 |
| Oakville | 35,333 | $106,362 | 6.4% | $318,600 |
| Wildwood | 35,133 | $161,060 | 2.2% | $495,800 |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | 14.5% | $306,700 |
| Ballwin | 31,279 | $124,626 | 4.8% | $377,100 |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | 7.8% | $218,400 |
| Kirkwood | 29,363 | $121,270 | 5.3% | $451,400 |
| Maryland Heights | 27,880 | $86,436 | 4.7% | $227,000 |
| Hazelwood | 25,114 | $55,908 | 15.9% | $167,400 |
Cities Similar to Berkeley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 7,925 | $42,813 | $122,700 | 14.3% | 27.8% |
| Dexter | 7,891 | $51,701 | $137,200 | 17.7% | 17.0% |
| Perryville | 8,536 | $51,897 | $179,700 | 20.4% | 19.0% |
| Park Hills | 8,678 | $52,563 | $131,300 | 14.1% | 14.4% |
| Aurora | 7,397 | $49,848 | $124,400 | 12.0% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Berkeley is a small city located in Missouri, within St. Louis County. The total population is 8,123. It ranks as the 108th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Berkeley is 28.0 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 33.1% of the population under 18, Berkeley has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Berkeley is $44,265. This is 37% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.1%. This is 179% 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 42% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $82,300. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Berkeley is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Berkeley is Black or African American, making up 79.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 8.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (8.3%) is well below the state average of 76.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (79.0% vs 10.9%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Berkeley, 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 Berkeley, Missouri?
Berkeley, Missouri has a population of 8,123 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Berkeley, MO?
The median household income in Berkeley is $44,265, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Berkeley, MO?
The poverty rate in Berkeley is 35.1%. This means approximately 2,763 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Berkeley, Missouri?
Berkeley's population is 8.3% White, 79.0% Black, 7.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Berkeley, MO?
The median home value in Berkeley is $82,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Berkeley, Missouri?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Berkeley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.