Foster, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Foster, Missouri had a total population of 65, the 939th largest village in Missouri. The poverty rate is 26.2%.
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 (26.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 1.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.3% is notably above the national average.
Foster Quick Facts
How Foster 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 | 51 | 65 | +27.5% |
| Median home value | $72,500 | $75,000 | +3.4% |
How Foster 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+)
Foster Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Bates County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 4,668 | $42,151 | 24.7% | $145,400 |
| Adrian | 1,857 | $52,829 | 13.8% | $159,500 |
| Rich Hill | 1,453 | $47,167 | 33.7% | $75,600 |
| Hume | 209 | $58,750 | 34.4% | $90,000 |
| Rockville | 153 | $35,625 | 11.8% | N/A |
| Amsterdam | 128 | $45,536 | 18.0% | $48,000 |
| Amoret | 120 | $41,750 | 23.3% | $65,000 |
| Passaic | 93 | $92,656 | 11.8% | $64,700 |
| Merwin | 33 | $93,333 | 0.0% | $189,600 |
Cities Similar to Foster
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% |
| Ethel | 65 | N/A | N/A | 8.6% | 55.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 65, Foster'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
Foster is a small community located in Missouri, within Bates 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 Foster is 58.8 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 1.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 26.2%. This is 108% 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 13.3%. This is 232% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $75,000. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $230,300. 70.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Foster has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.5% of all residents.
Education
1.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 95% 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 68.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Foster, 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 Foster, Missouri?
Foster, 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 Foster, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Foster — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Foster, MO?
The poverty rate in Foster is 26.2%. This means approximately 17 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Foster, Missouri?
Foster's population is 98.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Foster, MO?
The median home value in Foster is $75,000.
How educated is Foster, Missouri?
1.8% of adults (25+) in Foster hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.