Bowling Green, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bowling Green, Missouri had a total population of 4,170, the 173rd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $53,295, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Bowling Green Quick Facts
How Bowling Green 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 | 4,130 | 4,170 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $51,675 | $53,295 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $116,400 | $128,800 | +10.7% |
How Bowling Green 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+)
Bowling Green Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Pike County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 3,228 | $38,673 | 31.7% | $72,100 |
| Frankford | 502 | $49,464 | 20.9% | $55,500 |
| Eolia | 449 | $57,500 | 7.3% | $85,000 |
| Clarksville | 402 | $63,000 | 4.2% | $107,700 |
| Curryville | 199 | $50,000 | 8.5% | $91,300 |
| Annada | 74 | $59,091 | 21.6% | N/A |
| Paynesville | 64 | $67,917 | 3.1% | N/A |
| Ashley | 34 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| St. Clement | 31 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Tarrants | 18 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bowling Green
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookfield | 4,144 | $53,000 | $102,100 | 13.9% | 14.3% |
| Riverside | 4,276 | $52,006 | $411,300 | 37.3% | 17.3% |
| Camdenton | 4,023 | $54,375 | $175,500 | 11.6% | 15.3% |
| St. James | 3,916 | $53,453 | $142,000 | 20.3% | 19.4% |
| Mount Vernon | 4,563 | $53,255 | $186,800 | 19.7% | 13.8% |
Population Overview
Bowling Green is a small community located in Missouri, within Pike County. The total population is 4,170. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bowling Green is 35.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bowling Green is $53,295. This is 25% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.8%. This is 105% 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 6.3%. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $128,800. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Bowling Green is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 52.1% 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 Bowling Green is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.7%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
10.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green, Missouri?
Bowling Green, Missouri has a population of 4,170 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bowling Green, MO?
The median household income in Bowling Green is $53,295, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bowling Green, MO?
The poverty rate in Bowling Green is 25.8%. This means approximately 834 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bowling Green, Missouri?
Bowling Green's population is 84.5% White, 7.7% Black, 2.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bowling Green, MO?
The median home value in Bowling Green is $128,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Bowling Green, Missouri?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Bowling Green hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.