Caruthersville, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Caruthersville, Missouri had a total population of 5,326, the 139th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $34,652, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Caruthersville Quick Facts
How Caruthersville 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 | 5,426 | 5,326 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $35,903 | $34,652 | -3.5% |
| Median home value | $118,700 | $107,700 | -9.3% |
How Caruthersville 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Caruthersville Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Pemiscot County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayti | 2,090 | $24,881 | 42.5% | $70,400 |
| Steele | 1,493 | $54,600 | 24.3% | $119,200 |
| Hayti Heights | 540 | $20,714 | 50.2% | $63,900 |
| Wardell | 445 | $40,250 | 42.9% | $54,300 |
| Cooter | 285 | $46,250 | 18.6% | $73,900 |
| Holland | 141 | $37,375 | 14.2% | $59,300 |
| Pascola | 87 | $46,071 | 1.1% | $27,500 |
| Hayward | 83 | N/A | 0.0% | $30,900 |
| Deering | 74 | $65,227 | 4.0% | $62,300 |
| Homestown | 64 | $26,042 | 45.3% | $9,999 |
Cities Similar to Caruthersville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow Village | 5,504 | $29,530 | $69,000 | 9.2% | 46.7% |
| Charleston | 4,482 | $33,952 | $123,700 | 10.0% | 25.8% |
| St. Clair | 4,789 | $41,820 | $157,700 | 9.5% | 15.0% |
| Mountain Grove | 4,491 | $37,415 | $87,200 | 15.3% | 17.8% |
| Trenton | 5,536 | $50,015 | $99,500 | 18.2% | 18.1% |
Population Overview
Caruthersville is a small city located in Missouri, within Pemiscot County. The total population is 5,326. It ranks as the 139th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Caruthersville is 35.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Caruthersville is $34,652. This is 51% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 31.4%. This is 149% 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 9.0%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $107,700. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 47.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Caruthersville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (26.9% vs 10.9%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
12.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 Caruthersville, 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 Caruthersville, Missouri?
Caruthersville, Missouri has a population of 5,326 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Caruthersville, MO?
The median household income in Caruthersville is $34,652, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Caruthersville, MO?
The poverty rate in Caruthersville is 31.4%. This means approximately 1,635 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Caruthersville, Missouri?
Caruthersville's population is 66.1% White, 26.9% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Caruthersville, MO?
The median home value in Caruthersville is $107,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Caruthersville, Missouri?
12.0% of adults (25+) in Caruthersville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.