Lamar, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lamar, Missouri had a total population of 4,284, the 170th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $36,705, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Lamar Quick Facts
How Lamar 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 | 4,290 | 4,284 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $34,894 | $36,705 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $114,800 | $117,200 | +2.1% |
How Lamar 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+)
Lamar Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Barton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | 747 | $65,250 | 14.1% | $77,000 |
| Golden City | 708 | $44,167 | 18.9% | $79,300 |
| Mindenmines | 312 | $22,292 | 39.1% | $46,900 |
| Iantha | 124 | N/A | 15.3% | N/A |
| Lamar Heights | 111 | N/A | 26.1% | $260,700 |
| Milford | 54 | N/A | 1.8% | $329,200 |
| Irwin | 43 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Burgess | 24 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Lamar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Grove | 4,491 | $37,415 | $87,200 | 15.3% | 17.8% |
| Breckenridge Hills | 4,402 | $40,958 | $96,100 | 13.8% | 25.9% |
| Charleston | 4,482 | $33,952 | $123,700 | 10.0% | 25.8% |
| Normandy | 4,239 | $29,379 | $87,300 | 30.6% | 36.9% |
| Eldon | 4,556 | $41,684 | $157,400 | 17.5% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Lamar is a small community located in Missouri, within Barton County. The total population is 4,284. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lamar is 39.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years. 10.1% 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 Lamar is $36,705. This is 48% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.6%. This is 159% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Lamar, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $117,200. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 51.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lamar has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lamar, 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 Lamar, Missouri?
Lamar, Missouri has a population of 4,284 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lamar, MO?
The median household income in Lamar is $36,705, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lamar, MO?
The poverty rate in Lamar is 32.6%. This means approximately 1,365 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lamar, Missouri?
Lamar's population is 92.1% White, 0.6% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lamar, MO?
The median home value in Lamar is $117,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Lamar, Missouri?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Lamar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.