Ethel, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ethel, Missouri had a total population of 65, the 939th largest town in Missouri. The poverty rate is 55.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (55.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Ethel Quick Facts
How Ethel 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 | 70 | 65 | -7.1% |
How Ethel 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+)
Ethel Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Macon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon | 5,466 | $61,642 | 10.5% | $151,800 |
| La Plata | 1,351 | $50,000 | 9.1% | $105,800 |
| Bevier | 657 | $47,240 | 15.1% | $94,200 |
| Atlanta | 499 | $68,000 | 7.4% | $98,800 |
| Callao | 263 | $39,063 | 18.6% | $80,000 |
| New Cambria | 137 | $65,417 | 10.2% | $91,700 |
| Excello | 58 | $47,656 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Elmer | 24 | $37,500 | 33.3% | $45,000 |
| South Gifford | 15 | $11,250 | 53.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ethel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldrich | 65 | $82,750 | $133,900 | 18.9% | 4.6% |
| Arrow Rock | 65 | $35,469 | $278,800 | 47.1% | 3.1% |
| Blairstown | 65 | $55,000 | N/A | 0.0% | 15.4% |
| Broseley | 65 | $48,173 | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Foster | 65 | N/A | $75,000 | 1.8% | 26.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 65, Ethel'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
Ethel is a small community located in Missouri, within Macon County. The total population is 65. It ranks as the 939th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ethel is 75.4 years. This is 93% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 10.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 52.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 55.4%. This is 340% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Ethel, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ethel has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.4% of all residents.
Education
8.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 73% 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 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ethel, 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 Ethel, Missouri?
Ethel, Missouri has a population of 65 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ethel, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Ethel — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ethel, MO?
The poverty rate in Ethel is 55.4%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ethel, Missouri?
Ethel's population is 95.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ethel, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Ethel — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Ethel, Missouri?
8.6% of adults (25+) in Ethel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.