Jefferson City, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jefferson City, Missouri had a total population of 42,488, the 16th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $66,371, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Jefferson City Quick Facts
How Jefferson City 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 | 42,565 | 42,488 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $67,205 | $66,371 | -1.2% |
| Median home value | $208,000 | $218,700 | +5.1% |
How Jefferson City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Jefferson City Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Cole County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wardsville | 1,579 | $121,222 | 2.5% | $329,500 |
| Taos | 1,242 | $98,854 | 2.5% | $270,500 |
| St. Martins | 1,228 | $89,250 | 5.0% | $242,400 |
| Russellville | 833 | $56,750 | 5.3% | $166,500 |
| Centertown | 297 | $46,875 | 10.4% | $143,400 |
| Lohman | 243 | $89,167 | 11.9% | $218,800 |
| St. Thomas | 228 | $89,688 | 3.1% | $212,000 |
| Eugene | 158 | $58,846 | 17.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Jefferson City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | 40,344 | $55,658 | $196,300 | 34.9% | 20.8% |
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | $148,800 | 22.4% | 10.1% |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | $306,700 | 64.9% | 14.5% |
| Joplin | 52,593 | $52,097 | $168,300 | 26.7% | 16.9% |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | $218,400 | 31.4% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Jefferson City is a mid-sized community located in Missouri, within Cole County. The total population is 42,488. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jefferson City is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jefferson City is $66,371. This is 6% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 5% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 21% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $218,700. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 59.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Jefferson City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.0%.
Education
38.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% higher 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 92.8%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, Missouri?
Jefferson City, Missouri has a population of 42,488 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jefferson City, MO?
The median household income in Jefferson City is $66,371, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jefferson City, MO?
The poverty rate in Jefferson City is 12.0%. This means approximately 4,613 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jefferson City, Missouri?
Jefferson City's population is 71.4% White, 16.0% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jefferson City, MO?
The median home value in Jefferson City is $218,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Jefferson City, Missouri?
38.7% of adults (25+) in Jefferson City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.