La Plata, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Plata, Missouri had a total population of 1,351, the 332nd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $50,000, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
La Plata Quick Facts
How La Plata 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 | 1,401 | 1,351 | -3.6% |
| Median household income | $49,107 | $50,000 | +1.8% |
| Median home value | $96,300 | $105,800 | +9.9% |
How La Plata 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+)
La Plata Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Macon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon | 5,466 | $61,642 | 10.5% | $151,800 |
| Bevier | 657 | $47,240 | 15.1% | $94,200 |
| Atlanta | 499 | $68,000 | 7.4% | $98,800 |
| Callao | 263 | $39,063 | 18.6% | $80,000 |
| New Cambria | 137 | $65,417 | 10.2% | $91,700 |
| Ethel | 65 | N/A | 55.4% | N/A |
| Excello | 58 | $47,656 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Elmer | 24 | $37,500 | 33.3% | $45,000 |
| South Gifford | 15 | $11,250 | 53.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to La Plata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon | 1,334 | $49,904 | $134,200 | 16.3% | 22.2% |
| Leadwood | 1,354 | $44,783 | $63,200 | 13.3% | 36.0% |
| Cool Valley | 1,411 | $53,560 | $102,800 | 12.1% | 28.8% |
| Princeton | 1,352 | $58,558 | $78,000 | 18.6% | 18.0% |
| Ash Grove | 1,333 | $58,250 | $141,800 | 21.0% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
La Plata is a small community located in Missouri, within Macon County. The total population is 1,351. It ranks as the 332nd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Plata is 44.0 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Plata is $50,000. This is 29% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.1%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 120% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $105,800. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, La Plata is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
La Plata has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.7%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Plata, 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 La Plata, Missouri?
La Plata, Missouri has a population of 1,351 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Plata, MO?
The median household income in La Plata is $50,000, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Plata, MO?
The poverty rate in La Plata is 9.1%. This means approximately 120 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Plata, Missouri?
La Plata's population is 95.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Plata, MO?
The median home value in La Plata is $105,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is La Plata, Missouri?
14.2% of adults (25+) in La Plata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.