Ethel town, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ethel town is a small community located in Missouri, within Shelby County. The total population is 70. It ranks as the 934th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ethel town is 75.3 years. This is 94% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 11.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 51.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The poverty rate stands at 52.9%. This is 319% 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 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. 97.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% higher than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ethel town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents.

Education

16.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ethel town, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.