Joplin, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Joplin, Missouri had a total population of 52,593, the 12th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $52,097, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Joplin Quick Facts
How Joplin 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 | 52,218 | 52,593 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $51,154 | $52,097 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $159,700 | $168,300 | +5.4% |
How Joplin 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+)
Joplin Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Jasper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carthage | 15,574 | $51,328 | 27.2% | $146,800 |
| Webb City | 13,221 | $65,469 | 20.5% | $169,100 |
| Carl Junction | 8,339 | $82,879 | 8.4% | $218,300 |
| Oronogo | 2,804 | $91,563 | 5.0% | $188,500 |
| Duquesne | 2,257 | $54,135 | 14.2% | $184,200 |
| Carterville | 2,074 | $58,849 | 18.3% | $97,600 |
| Duenweg | 1,918 | $63,375 | 20.9% | $128,900 |
| Sarcoxie | 1,574 | $41,705 | 25.4% | $94,100 |
| Airport Drive | 941 | $69,063 | 10.8% | $251,100 |
| Jasper | 808 | $51,458 | 13.2% | $126,200 |
Cities Similar to Joplin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | $148,800 | 22.4% | 10.1% |
| Cape Girardeau | 40,344 | $55,658 | $196,300 | 34.9% | 20.8% |
| Jefferson City | 42,488 | $66,371 | $218,700 | 38.7% | 12.0% |
| St. Joseph | 71,236 | $57,956 | $154,200 | 23.0% | 17.7% |
| Blue Springs | 59,965 | $88,920 | $263,100 | 35.0% | 7.0% |
Population Overview
Joplin is a mid-sized community located in Missouri, within Jasper County. The total population is 52,593. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Joplin is 38.5 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Joplin is $52,097. This is 26% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.3%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $168,300. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Joplin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.3%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Joplin, 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.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Joplin, Missouri?
Joplin, Missouri has a population of 52,593 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Joplin, MO?
The median household income in Joplin is $52,097, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Joplin, MO?
The poverty rate in Joplin is 16.9%. This means approximately 8,605 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Joplin, Missouri?
Joplin's population is 81.2% White, 2.9% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Joplin, MO?
The median home value in Joplin is $168,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Joplin, Missouri?
26.7% of adults (25+) in Joplin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.