Hale, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Hale, Missouri had a total population of 525, the 508th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $51,875, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Hale Quick Facts
How Hale 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 | 535 | 525 | -1.9% |
| Median household income | $50,313 | $51,875 | +3.1% |
| Median home value | $76,000 | $84,100 | +10.7% |
How Hale 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+)
Hale Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Carroll County
Cities Similar to Hale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branson West | 536 | $52,656 | $203,100 | 22.7% | 23.1% |
| Laddonia | 533 | $53,309 | $80,200 | 7.2% | 15.0% |
| Walnut Grove | 528 | $55,500 | $139,000 | 9.5% | 9.7% |
| Grayhawk | 538 | $49,304 | $121,000 | 10.9% | 9.3% |
| Smithton | 535 | $55,288 | $116,400 | 12.8% | 5.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 525, Hale'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
Hale is a small community located in Missouri, within Carroll County. The total population is 525. It ranks as the 508th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hale is 44.5 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Hale is $51,875. This is 27% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $84,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Hale is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hale has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
16.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% 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 91.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Hale, 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 Hale, Missouri?
Hale, Missouri has a population of 525 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Hale, MO?
The median household income in Hale is $51,875, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Hale, MO?
The poverty rate in Hale is 9.1%. This means approximately 48 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Hale, Missouri?
Hale's population is 88.4% White, 7.8% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Hale, MO?
The median home value in Hale is $84,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Hale, Missouri?
16.5% of adults (25+) in Hale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.