Kearney, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kearney, Missouri had a total population of 10,885, the 81st largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $103,622, which is 47% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Missouri.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.6% — among the lowest in Missouri.
Kearney Quick Facts
How Kearney 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 | 10,696 | 10,885 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $102,523 | $103,622 | +1.1% |
| Median home value | $275,200 | $298,400 | +8.4% |
How Kearney 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+)
Kearney Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 30,689 | $88,542 | 7.0% | $283,300 |
| Gladstone | 27,207 | $79,271 | 11.0% | $231,500 |
| Smithville | 10,705 | $101,165 | 5.4% | $290,600 |
| Excelsior Springs | 10,484 | $72,609 | 15.2% | $186,800 |
| North Kansas City | 4,983 | $49,682 | 9.1% | $197,500 |
| Lawson | 2,905 | $65,941 | 12.7% | $186,000 |
| Pleasant Valley | 2,736 | $75,682 | 4.5% | $202,000 |
| Claycomo | 1,820 | $49,343 | 19.8% | $169,600 |
| Glenaire | 587 | $92,813 | 4.4% | $225,400 |
| Holt | 440 | $73,125 | 9.8% | $196,300 |
Cities Similar to Kearney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithville | 10,705 | $101,165 | $290,600 | 32.4% | 5.4% |
| Ellisville | 10,002 | $113,309 | $366,600 | 59.4% | 4.6% |
| Crestwood | 12,295 | $107,169 | $319,600 | 56.8% | 5.5% |
| Eureka | 13,081 | $108,394 | $379,200 | 52.5% | 7.9% |
| Excelsior Springs | 10,484 | $72,609 | $186,800 | 17.6% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Kearney is a small city located in Missouri, within Clay County. The total population is 10,885. It ranks as the 81st most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kearney is 39.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kearney is $103,622. This is 47% higher than the state median of $70,702. It is also 28% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.6%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $298,400. Housing costs are 30% higher than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Kearney is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kearney has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
36.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kearney, 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 Kearney, Missouri?
Kearney, Missouri has a population of 10,885 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kearney, MO?
The median household income in Kearney is $103,622, which is 28% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kearney, MO?
The poverty rate in Kearney is 3.6%. This means approximately 393 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kearney, Missouri?
Kearney's population is 94.1% White, 0.1% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kearney, MO?
The median home value in Kearney is $298,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Kearney, Missouri?
36.8% of adults (25+) in Kearney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.