Golden, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Golden, Missouri had a total population of 233, the 698th largest community in Missouri, with a median household income of $46,488, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Golden Quick Facts
How Golden 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 | 277 | 233 | -15.9% |
| Median household income | $44,091 | $46,488 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $208,000 | $209,000 | +0.5% |
How Golden 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+)
Golden Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Barry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassville | 3,202 | $60,469 | 31.3% | $155,300 |
| Shell Knob | 1,486 | $54,925 | 14.7% | $321,700 |
| Purdy | 1,121 | $36,711 | 36.9% | $92,300 |
| Seligman | 941 | $47,798 | 25.2% | $93,800 |
| Exeter | 819 | $47,625 | 18.8% | $101,500 |
| Washburn | 498 | $66,250 | 18.1% | $122,500 |
| Wheaton | 427 | $37,813 | 19.7% | $120,800 |
| Butterfield | 370 | $54,375 | 13.5% | $98,200 |
| Emerald Beach | 274 | $45,781 | 14.3% | $195,600 |
| Chain-O-Lakes | 119 | $29,000 | 53.8% | $184,700 |
Cities Similar to Golden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Springs | 230 | N/A | $146,400 | 26.8% | 40.0% |
| Lake Lafayette | 237 | $46,563 | $76,800 | 5.3% | 43.5% |
| Anniston | 241 | N/A | N/A | 2.4% | 17.0% |
| Bellflower | 238 | $45,313 | $61,700 | 3.4% | 40.3% |
| Schell City | 224 | $46,250 | $57,500 | 13.0% | 11.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 233, Golden'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
Golden is a small community located in Missouri, within Barry County. The total population is 233. It ranks as the 698th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Golden is 58.1 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 17.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Golden is $46,488. This is 34% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Golden, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $209,000. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Golden is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.8% of the population.
Education
31.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 81.1%. Notably, 18.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Golden, 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 Golden, Missouri?
Golden, Missouri has a population of 233 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Golden, MO?
The median household income in Golden is $46,488, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Golden, MO?
The poverty rate in Golden is 6.9%. This means approximately 16 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Golden, Missouri?
Golden's population is 76.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Golden, MO?
The median home value in Golden is $209,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Golden, Missouri?
31.8% of adults (25+) in Golden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.