Charleston, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, Missouri had a total population of 4,482, the 167th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $33,952, which is 52% 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
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 10.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston 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 | 4,565 | 4,482 | -1.8% |
| Median household income | $35,139 | $33,952 | -3.4% |
| Median home value | $107,700 | $123,700 | +14.9% |
How Charleston 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Charleston Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Mississippi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Prairie | 2,902 | $34,637 | 21.2% | $68,400 |
| Bertrand | 732 | $54,688 | 20.1% | $86,300 |
| Wyatt | 243 | $24,773 | 53.5% | $47,100 |
| Anniston | 241 | N/A | 17.0% | N/A |
| Whiting | 179 | N/A | 20.7% | $154,300 |
| Wilson City | 79 | N/A | 43.0% | $61,200 |
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Grove | 4,491 | $37,415 | $87,200 | 15.3% | 17.8% |
| Lamar | 4,284 | $36,705 | $117,200 | 18.7% | 32.6% |
| Breckenridge Hills | 4,402 | $40,958 | $96,100 | 13.8% | 25.9% |
| Eldon | 4,556 | $41,684 | $157,400 | 17.5% | 12.8% |
| Normandy | 4,239 | $29,379 | $87,300 | 30.6% | 36.9% |
Population Overview
Charleston is a small community located in Missouri, within Mississippi County. The total population is 4,482. It ranks as the 167th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 41.8 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston is $33,952. This is 52% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 58% 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 5.0%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $123,700. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is Black or African American, making up 45.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (45.3% vs 10.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
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 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, 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 Charleston, Missouri?
Charleston, Missouri has a population of 4,482 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, MO?
The median household income in Charleston is $33,952, which is 58% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, MO?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 25.8%. This means approximately 821 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, Missouri?
Charleston's population is 43.3% White, 45.3% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, MO?
The median home value in Charleston is $123,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Charleston, Missouri?
10.0% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.