Cardwell, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cardwell, Missouri had a total population of 816, the 415th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $22,500, which is 68% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 56.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 68% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (56.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Cardwell Quick Facts
How Cardwell 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 | 846 | 816 | -3.5% |
| Median household income | $17,917 | $22,500 | +25.6% |
| Median home value | $44,700 | $38,800 | -13.2% |
How Cardwell 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+)
Cardwell Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Dunklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennett | 10,196 | $52,500 | 19.1% | $112,000 |
| Malden | 3,805 | $40,118 | 30.1% | $101,300 |
| Campbell | 1,766 | $49,926 | 30.7% | $75,300 |
| Senath | 1,662 | $31,667 | 24.2% | $79,500 |
| Clarkton | 958 | $46,333 | 31.7% | $47,000 |
| Holcomb | 666 | $62,841 | 12.3% | $108,100 |
| Hornersville | 531 | $38,750 | 34.8% | $55,800 |
| Arbyrd | 432 | $37,000 | 27.1% | $46,800 |
| White Oak | 119 | N/A | 29.4% | N/A |
| Frisbee | 95 | $59,375 | 0.0% | $99,500 |
Cities Similar to Cardwell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Timberline | 810 | $23,125 | $117,300 | 8.5% | 32.7% |
| Horine | 781 | N/A | $213,400 | 0.0% | 18.9% |
| Hermitage | 734 | $25,833 | $126,300 | 15.1% | 48.9% |
| Winona | 854 | $30,500 | $95,500 | 6.3% | 19.1% |
| Iron Mountain Lake | 781 | $30,682 | $38,600 | 3.1% | 24.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 816, Cardwell'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
Cardwell is a small community located in Missouri, within Dunklin County. The total population is 816. It ranks as the 415th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cardwell is 23.5 years. This is 40% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Cardwell has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cardwell is $22,500. This is 68% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 72% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 56.7%. This is 350% 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 0.8%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $38,800. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Cardwell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 37.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cardwell is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%.
Education
7.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 82.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cardwell, 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 Cardwell, Missouri?
Cardwell, Missouri has a population of 816 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cardwell, MO?
The median household income in Cardwell is $22,500, which is 72% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cardwell, MO?
The poverty rate in Cardwell is 56.7%. This means approximately 459 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cardwell, Missouri?
Cardwell's population is 79.4% White, 0.0% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cardwell, MO?
The median home value in Cardwell is $38,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Cardwell, Missouri?
7.3% of adults (25+) in Cardwell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.