Downing, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Downing, Missouri had a total population of 277, the 659th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $32,308, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.2% 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 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Downing Quick Facts
How Downing 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 | 366 | 277 | -24.3% |
| Median household income | $32,292 | $32,308 | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $47,600 | $79,200 | +66.4% |
How Downing 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+)
Downing Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Schuyler County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 742 | $49,444 | 23.1% | $154,800 |
| Queen City | 650 | $48,884 | 10.6% | $66,900 |
| Glenwood | 205 | $90,625 | 7.8% | $68,000 |
Cities Similar to Downing
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macks Creek | 290 | N/A | $275,000 | 8.5% | 25.9% |
| Williamsville | 284 | $30,625 | $56,400 | 8.9% | 38.0% |
| Fillmore | 299 | N/A | $83,100 | 3.7% | 5.3% |
| Ozora | 299 | N/A | $188,500 | 31.8% | 49.5% |
| Houstonia | 273 | $39,337 | N/A | 32.7% | 14.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 277, Downing'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
Downing is a small community located in Missouri, within Schuyler County. The total population is 277. It ranks as the 659th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Downing is 48.6 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.3% 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 Downing is $32,308. This is 54% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 60% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $79,200. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Downing is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Downing has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.1% of all residents.
Education
9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Downing, 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 Downing, Missouri?
Downing, Missouri has a population of 277 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Downing, MO?
The median household income in Downing is $32,308, which is 60% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Downing, MO?
The poverty rate in Downing is 11.6%. This means approximately 32 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Downing, Missouri?
Downing's population is 97.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Downing, MO?
The median home value in Downing is $79,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Downing, Missouri?
9.2% of adults (25+) in Downing hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.