Bernie, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bernie, Missouri had a total population of 1,725, the 296th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $48,438, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.1%.
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.
Bernie Quick Facts
How Bernie 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 | 1,772 | 1,725 | -2.7% |
| Median household income | $45,223 | $48,438 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $90,800 | $98,100 | +8.0% |
How Bernie 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+)
Bernie Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Stoddard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexter | 7,891 | $51,701 | 17.0% | $137,200 |
| Bloomfield | 2,069 | $41,838 | 25.1% | $67,100 |
| Advance | 1,450 | $59,688 | 14.0% | $127,500 |
| Puxico | 846 | $47,500 | 18.0% | $89,500 |
| Bell City | 496 | N/A | 36.7% | $47,500 |
| Essex | 413 | $62,536 | 24.6% | $108,700 |
| Penermon | 102 | $17,625 | 87.3% | $44,700 |
| Dudley | 99 | $50,750 | 7.1% | $190,000 |
| Grayridge | 96 | $40,313 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bernie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin | 1,740 | $47,198 | $137,500 | 19.4% | 19.8% |
| Ironton | 1,692 | $46,750 | $120,000 | 28.4% | 14.5% |
| Campbell | 1,766 | $49,926 | $75,300 | 9.4% | 30.7% |
| Shelbina | 1,653 | $47,500 | $86,200 | 19.8% | 20.6% |
| Claycomo | 1,820 | $49,343 | $169,600 | 12.9% | 19.8% |
Population Overview
Bernie is a small community located in Missouri, within Stoddard County. The total population is 1,725. It ranks as the 296th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bernie is 46.7 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bernie is $48,438. This is 31% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.1%. This is 92% 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 2.7%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $98,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Bernie is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bernie has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 53% 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 76.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bernie, 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 Bernie, Missouri?
Bernie, Missouri has a population of 1,725 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bernie, MO?
The median household income in Bernie is $48,438, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bernie, MO?
The poverty rate in Bernie is 24.1%. This means approximately 408 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bernie, Missouri?
Bernie's population is 90.5% White, 1.0% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bernie, MO?
The median home value in Bernie is $98,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Bernie, Missouri?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Bernie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.