Kelso, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kelso, Missouri had a total population of 603, the 475th largest village in Missouri, with a median household income of $56,875, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Kelso Quick Facts
How Kelso 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 | 593 | 603 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $54,853 | $56,875 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $213,800 | $215,400 | +0.7% |
How Kelso 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+)
Kelso Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Scott County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikeston | 16,320 | $58,915 | 14.2% | $168,800 |
| Chaffee | 3,026 | $43,542 | 9.2% | $117,400 |
| Oran | 1,033 | $65,200 | 15.8% | $135,000 |
| Miner | 950 | $52,000 | 14.4% | $131,600 |
| Benton | 826 | $86,023 | 3.7% | $254,300 |
| Morley | 540 | $47,132 | 19.4% | $84,300 |
| New Hamburg | 247 | $98,750 | 0.0% | $198,800 |
| Vanduser | 198 | $42,500 | 27.4% | $64,100 |
| Blodgett | 196 | N/A | 20.4% | N/A |
| Haywood City | 180 | $37,857 | 56.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Kelso
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fordland | 594 | $53,571 | $130,000 | 7.9% | 19.1% |
| Morrisville | 595 | $60,625 | $151,300 | 9.0% | 15.4% |
| Parma | 596 | $63,750 | $43,300 | 8.1% | 27.7% |
| Shelbyville | 621 | $52,250 | $85,200 | 17.3% | 16.5% |
| Alba | 624 | $51,510 | $83,200 | 13.3% | 32.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 603, Kelso's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Kelso is a small community located in Missouri, within Scott County. The total population is 603. It ranks as the 475th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kelso is 34.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kelso is $56,875. This is 20% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $215,400. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 64.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kelso has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.7% of all residents.
Education
24.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 97.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kelso, 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 Kelso, Missouri?
Kelso, Missouri has a population of 603 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kelso, MO?
The median household income in Kelso is $56,875, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kelso, MO?
The poverty rate in Kelso is 12.6%. This means approximately 76 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kelso, Missouri?
Kelso's population is 97.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kelso, MO?
The median home value in Kelso is $215,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Kelso, Missouri?
24.9% of adults (25+) in Kelso hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.