Ferguson, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ferguson, Missouri had a total population of 18,213, the 45th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $47,524, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Ferguson Quick Facts
How Ferguson 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 | 18,350 | 18,213 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $46,106 | $47,524 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $99,300 | $109,900 | +10.7% |
How Ferguson 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ferguson Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | 10.1% | $148,800 |
| Chesterfield | 49,574 | $133,037 | 3.9% | $472,500 |
| Oakville | 35,333 | $106,362 | 6.4% | $318,600 |
| Wildwood | 35,133 | $161,060 | 2.2% | $495,800 |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | 14.5% | $306,700 |
| Ballwin | 31,279 | $124,626 | 4.8% | $377,100 |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | 7.8% | $218,400 |
| Kirkwood | 29,363 | $121,270 | 5.3% | $451,400 |
| Maryland Heights | 27,880 | $86,436 | 4.7% | $227,000 |
| Hazelwood | 25,114 | $55,908 | 15.9% | $167,400 |
Cities Similar to Ferguson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirksville | 17,563 | $50,071 | $153,900 | 40.3% | 28.2% |
| Farmington | 18,282 | $53,729 | $196,500 | 16.3% | 15.9% |
| Spanish Lake | 17,873 | $55,920 | $135,600 | 14.3% | 14.8% |
| Rolla | 20,287 | $46,204 | $187,000 | 35.6% | 23.5% |
| Hannibal | 16,771 | $53,721 | $127,700 | 19.6% | 19.5% |
Population Overview
Ferguson is a small city located in Missouri, within St. Louis County. The total population is 18,213. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ferguson is 34.5 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ferguson is $47,524. This is 33% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 92% 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 5.9%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $109,900. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Ferguson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ferguson is Black or African American, making up 68.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.8%) is well below the state average of 76.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (68.7% vs 10.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
21.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ferguson, 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 Ferguson, Missouri?
Ferguson, Missouri has a population of 18,213 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ferguson, MO?
The median household income in Ferguson is $47,524, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ferguson, MO?
The poverty rate in Ferguson is 24.2%. This means approximately 4,333 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ferguson, Missouri?
Ferguson's population is 25.8% White, 68.7% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ferguson, MO?
The median home value in Ferguson is $109,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Ferguson, Missouri?
21.3% of adults (25+) in Ferguson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.