Joplin city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Joplin city, Missouri has a total population of 52,218, the 12th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $51,154, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Joplin city Quick Facts
How Joplin city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Joplin city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Joplin city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant city | 51,915 | $66,344 | $136,200 | 22.7% | 9.5% |
| Cape Girardeau city | 40,047 | $54,870 | $186,100 | 36.6% | 20.7% |
| Jefferson City city | 42,565 | $67,205 | $208,000 | 36.9% | 12.5% |
| St. Joseph city | 71,542 | $55,578 | $144,200 | 22.7% | 18.7% |
| Blue Springs city | 59,416 | $84,075 | $241,500 | 34.6% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Joplin city is a mid-sized community located in Missouri. The total population is 52,218. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Joplin city is 37.5 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Joplin city is $51,154. This is 26% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.7%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $159,700. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 55.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Joplin city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 11.0%.
Education
26.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Joplin 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 Joplin city, Missouri?
Joplin city, Missouri has a population of 52,218 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Joplin city, MO?
The median household income in Joplin city is $51,154, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Joplin city, MO?
The poverty rate in Joplin city is 17.9%. This means approximately 9,060 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Joplin city, Missouri?
Joplin city's population is 82.0% White, 2.8% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Joplin city, MO?
The median home value in Joplin city is $159,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Joplin city, Missouri?
26.4% of adults (25+) in Joplin city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.