Bolivar, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bolivar, Missouri had a total population of 11,170, the 80th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $49,622, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Bolivar Quick Facts
How Bolivar 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 | 10,996 | 11,170 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $44,603 | $49,622 | +11.3% |
| Median home value | $188,700 | $201,600 | +6.8% |
How Bolivar 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+)
Bolivar Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humansville | 1,058 | $37,446 | 33.9% | $63,700 |
| Pleasant Hope | 716 | $65,078 | 16.1% | $155,600 |
| Fair Play | 595 | $40,781 | 23.4% | $105,600 |
| Morrisville | 595 | $60,625 | 15.4% | $151,300 |
| Halfway | 137 | $29,583 | 32.1% | $53,100 |
| Flemington | 73 | $31,563 | 19.2% | $135,400 |
| Aldrich | 65 | $82,750 | 4.6% | $133,900 |
Cities Similar to Bolivar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 11,477 | $50,873 | $139,800 | 17.2% | 17.8% |
| Bellefontaine Neighbors | 10,498 | $49,170 | $99,700 | 17.8% | 21.4% |
| Maryville | 10,428 | $53,352 | $189,400 | 35.6% | 24.4% |
| Kennett | 10,196 | $52,500 | $112,000 | 15.6% | 19.1% |
| Monett | 9,873 | $49,390 | $167,700 | 12.8% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Bolivar is a small city located in Missouri, within Polk County. The total population is 11,170. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bolivar is 34.1 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.4% 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 Bolivar is $49,622. This is 30% 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 18.8%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $201,600. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 54.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bolivar has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, Missouri?
Bolivar, Missouri has a population of 11,170 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bolivar, MO?
The median household income in Bolivar is $49,622, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bolivar, MO?
The poverty rate in Bolivar is 18.8%. This means approximately 1,911 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bolivar, Missouri?
Bolivar's population is 91.4% White, 0.9% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bolivar, MO?
The median home value in Bolivar is $201,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Bolivar, Missouri?
27.9% of adults (25+) in Bolivar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.