Imperial, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Imperial, Missouri had a total population of 5,488, the 135th largest community in Missouri, with a median household income of $90,028, which is 27% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Imperial Quick Facts
How Imperial 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 | 5,617 | 5,488 | -2.3% |
| Median household income | $87,949 | $90,028 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $221,900 | $228,700 | +3.1% |
How Imperial 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+)
Imperial Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold | 20,956 | $78,370 | 8.2% | $220,000 |
| Festus | 13,201 | $73,532 | 17.1% | $223,600 |
| Murphy | 8,285 | $72,233 | 10.2% | $184,700 |
| De Soto | 6,470 | $52,500 | 13.1% | $160,700 |
| Pevely | 6,055 | $56,000 | 17.9% | $219,600 |
| Barnhart | 5,785 | $95,811 | 4.9% | $229,200 |
| Herculaneum | 5,071 | $93,438 | 5.6% | $234,300 |
| Crystal City | 4,718 | $72,598 | 11.4% | $185,800 |
| High Ridge | 3,714 | $70,917 | 7.2% | $172,200 |
| Hillsboro | 3,500 | $77,500 | 11.7% | $221,200 |
Cities Similar to Imperial
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa | 5,620 | $100,022 | $238,200 | 31.2% | 6.1% |
| Barnhart | 5,785 | $95,811 | $229,200 | 20.1% | 4.9% |
| Herculaneum | 5,071 | $93,438 | $234,300 | 23.0% | 5.6% |
| Wright City | 5,240 | $80,152 | $238,800 | 19.7% | 5.8% |
| Peculiar | 5,958 | $94,519 | $283,900 | 25.0% | 4.9% |
Population Overview
Imperial is a small city located in Missouri, within Jefferson County. The total population is 5,488. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Imperial is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.8% of the population under 18, Imperial has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Imperial is $90,028. This is 27% higher than the state median of $70,702. It is also 12% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.1%. This is 12% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $228,700. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Imperial is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 92.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Imperial has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
21.4% 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Imperial, 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 Imperial, Missouri?
Imperial, Missouri has a population of 5,488 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Imperial, MO?
The median household income in Imperial is $90,028, which is 12% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Imperial, MO?
The poverty rate in Imperial is 11.1%. This means approximately 609 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Imperial, Missouri?
Imperial's population is 87.3% White, 1.3% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Imperial, MO?
The median home value in Imperial is $228,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Imperial, Missouri?
21.4% of adults (25+) in Imperial hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.