Fordland, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fordland, Missouri had a total population of 594, the 479th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $53,571, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.9% 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 2.4x.
Fordland Quick Facts
How Fordland 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 | 681 | 594 | -12.8% |
| Median household income | $49,167 | $53,571 | +9.0% |
| Median home value | $119,600 | $130,000 | +8.7% |
How Fordland 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+)
Fordland Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Webster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | 7,696 | $67,642 | 18.1% | $204,700 |
| Seymour | 2,179 | $51,591 | 31.4% | $116,900 |
| Niangua | 537 | $45,179 | 28.0% | $105,400 |
| Diggins | 269 | $76,667 | 7.1% | $170,800 |
Cities Similar to Fordland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 603 | $56,875 | $215,400 | 24.9% | 12.6% |
| Shelbyville | 621 | $52,250 | $85,200 | 17.3% | 16.5% |
| Arcadia | 586 | $48,750 | $154,800 | 21.9% | 25.0% |
| Morrisville | 595 | $60,625 | $151,300 | 9.0% | 15.4% |
| Alba | 624 | $51,510 | $83,200 | 13.3% | 32.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 594, Fordland'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
Fordland is a small community located in Missouri, within Webster County. The total population is 594. It ranks as the 479th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fordland is 41.4 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fordland is $53,571. This is 24% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $130,000. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Fordland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fordland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 86.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fordland, 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.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fordland, Missouri?
Fordland, Missouri has a population of 594 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fordland, MO?
The median household income in Fordland is $53,571, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fordland, MO?
The poverty rate in Fordland is 19.1%. This means approximately 112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fordland, Missouri?
Fordland's population is 97.0% White, 0.0% Black, 1.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fordland, MO?
The median home value in Fordland is $130,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Fordland, Missouri?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Fordland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.