Jefferson City city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Jefferson City city, Missouri has a total population of 42,565, the 16th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $67,205, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Jefferson City city Quick Facts
How Jefferson City 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+)
Jefferson City city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Jefferson City city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau city | 40,047 | $54,870 | $186,100 | 36.6% | 20.7% |
| Florissant city | 51,915 | $66,344 | $136,200 | 22.7% | 9.5% |
| University City city | 34,655 | $76,466 | $285,100 | 64.2% | 13.4% |
| Wentzville city | 45,734 | $111,409 | $302,700 | 39.4% | 4.6% |
| Joplin city | 52,218 | $51,154 | $159,700 | 26.4% | 17.9% |
Population Overview
Jefferson City city is a mid-sized community located in Missouri. The total population is 42,565. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jefferson City city is 39.1 years. This is about average than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jefferson City city is $67,205. This is 2% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $208,000. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 58.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jefferson City city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 17.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (17.3% vs 11.0%).
Education
36.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 16% higher 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City city, Missouri?
Jefferson City city, Missouri has a population of 42,565 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jefferson City city, MO?
The median household income in Jefferson City city is $67,205, which is 14% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Jefferson City city, MO?
The poverty rate in Jefferson City city is 12.5%. This means approximately 4,794 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jefferson City city, Missouri?
Jefferson City city's population is 71.2% White, 17.3% Black, 4.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jefferson City city, MO?
The median home value in Jefferson City city is $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Jefferson City city, Missouri?
36.9% of adults (25+) in Jefferson City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.