Independence city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Independence city, Missouri has a total population of 121,944, the 5th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $59,480, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Independence city is the 5th largest city in Missouri with a population of 121,944.
Independence city Quick Facts
How Independence city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Independence city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Independence city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia city | 127,200 | $64,488 | $268,300 | 56.5% | 20.0% |
| Lee's Summit city | 102,583 | $104,989 | $313,200 | 48.7% | 5.5% |
| Springfield city | 169,432 | $45,984 | $165,200 | 30.3% | 19.4% |
| St. Joseph city | 71,542 | $55,578 | $144,200 | 22.7% | 18.7% |
| O'Fallon city | 92,697 | $107,203 | $305,100 | 42.4% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Independence city is a major urban center located in Missouri. The total population is 121,944. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Independence city is 38.4 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Independence city is $59,480. This is 14% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 46% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $166,400. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Independence city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Independence city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.4% vs 5.1%).
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Independence city, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Independence city, Missouri?
Independence city, Missouri has a population of 121,944 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Independence city, MO?
The median household income in Independence city is $59,480, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Independence city, MO?
The poverty rate in Independence city is 15.3%. This means approximately 18,418 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Independence city, Missouri?
Independence city's population is 69.2% White, 10.8% Black, 12.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Independence city, MO?
The median home value in Independence city is $166,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Independence city, Missouri?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Independence city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.