Jennings, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jennings, Missouri had a total population of 12,918, the 70th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $38,984, which is 45% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Jennings Quick Facts
How Jennings 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 | 12,900 | 12,918 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $37,356 | $38,984 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $62,300 | $68,800 | +10.4% |
How Jennings 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+)
Jennings Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | 10.1% | $148,800 |
| Chesterfield | 49,574 | $133,037 | 3.9% | $472,500 |
| Oakville | 35,333 | $106,362 | 6.4% | $318,600 |
| Wildwood | 35,133 | $161,060 | 2.2% | $495,800 |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | 14.5% | $306,700 |
| Ballwin | 31,279 | $124,626 | 4.8% | $377,100 |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | 7.8% | $218,400 |
| Kirkwood | 29,363 | $121,270 | 5.3% | $451,400 |
| Maryland Heights | 27,880 | $86,436 | 4.7% | $227,000 |
| Hazelwood | 25,114 | $55,908 | 15.9% | $167,400 |
Cities Similar to Jennings
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plains | 12,441 | $44,002 | $169,900 | 17.1% | 28.1% |
| Moberly | 13,526 | $44,145 | $153,100 | 16.3% | 18.4% |
| Branson | 12,817 | $51,978 | $251,000 | 27.7% | 20.2% |
| St. Ann | 12,811 | $52,323 | $126,600 | 20.4% | 13.0% |
| Fulton | 12,617 | $51,429 | $155,900 | 21.7% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Jennings is a small city located in Missouri, within St. Louis County. The total population is 12,918. It ranks as the 70th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jennings is 39.4 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Jennings is $38,984. This is 45% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.2%. This is 100% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 122% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $68,800. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Jennings is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 45.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Jennings has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 88.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 76.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (88.9% vs 10.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
10.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 82.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jennings, 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 Jennings, Missouri?
Jennings, Missouri has a population of 12,918 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jennings, MO?
The median household income in Jennings is $38,984, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jennings, MO?
The poverty rate in Jennings is 25.2%. This means approximately 3,151 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jennings, Missouri?
Jennings's population is 4.9% White, 88.9% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jennings, MO?
The median home value in Jennings is $68,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Jennings, Missouri?
10.8% of adults (25+) in Jennings hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.