Lawson, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lawson, Missouri had a total population of 2,905, the 208th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $65,941, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Lawson Quick Facts
How Lawson 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 | 2,742 | 2,905 | +5.9% |
| Median household income | $63,799 | $65,941 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $169,500 | $186,000 | +9.7% |
How Lawson 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+)
Lawson 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 |
| Kearney | 10,885 | $103,622 | 3.6% | $298,400 |
| 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 |
| 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 Lawson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Summit | 2,991 | $65,667 | $170,500 | 16.8% | 4.2% |
| Knob Noster | 2,838 | $62,353 | $202,600 | 29.4% | 6.0% |
| Villa Ridge | 2,835 | $73,826 | $166,600 | 16.9% | 15.9% |
| Strafford | 2,672 | $64,750 | $169,400 | 20.7% | 14.4% |
| Fayette | 2,801 | $57,679 | $146,700 | 34.3% | 16.9% |
Population Overview
Lawson is a small community located in Missouri, within Clay County. The total population is 2,905. It ranks as the 208th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lawson is 32.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 32.5% of the population under 18, Lawson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lawson is $65,941. This is 7% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $186,000. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Lawson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Lawson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
18.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 Lawson, 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 Lawson, Missouri?
Lawson, Missouri has a population of 2,905 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lawson, MO?
The median household income in Lawson is $65,941, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lawson, MO?
The poverty rate in Lawson is 12.7%. This means approximately 363 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lawson, Missouri?
Lawson's population is 95.2% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lawson, MO?
The median home value in Lawson is $186,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Lawson, Missouri?
18.4% of adults (25+) in Lawson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.