East Prairie, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Prairie, Missouri had a total population of 2,902, the 209th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $34,637, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.2%.
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.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
East Prairie Quick Facts
How East Prairie 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 | 2,930 | 2,902 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $31,159 | $34,637 | +11.2% |
| Median home value | $58,000 | $68,400 | +17.9% |
How East Prairie 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+)
East Prairie Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Mississippi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 4,482 | $33,952 | 25.8% | $123,700 |
| 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 East Prairie
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licking | 2,858 | $35,652 | $116,900 | 5.7% | 37.5% |
| Piedmont | 2,911 | $40,019 | $97,700 | 11.4% | 49.0% |
| Versailles | 2,610 | $33,586 | $117,500 | 13.0% | 20.4% |
| Mountain View | 2,658 | $38,942 | $123,500 | 11.7% | 29.4% |
| Ava | 3,045 | $42,500 | $148,000 | 12.1% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
East Prairie is a small community located in Missouri, within Mississippi County. The total population is 2,902. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Prairie is 39.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Prairie is $34,637. 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 21.2%. This is 68% 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 3.2%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $68,400. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, East Prairie is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 47.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
East Prairie has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
13.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 58% 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 75.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Prairie, 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 East Prairie, Missouri?
East Prairie, Missouri has a population of 2,902 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Prairie, MO?
The median household income in East Prairie is $34,637, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Prairie, MO?
The poverty rate in East Prairie is 21.2%. This means approximately 608 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Prairie, Missouri?
East Prairie's population is 91.2% White, 1.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Prairie, MO?
The median home value in East Prairie is $68,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is East Prairie, Missouri?
13.6% of adults (25+) in East Prairie hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.