Licking, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Licking, Missouri had a total population of 2,858, the 210th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $35,652, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 20.4% is notably above the national average.
Licking Quick Facts
How Licking 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 | 2,816 | 2,858 | +1.5% |
| Median household income | $32,813 | $35,652 | +8.7% |
| Median home value | $109,000 | $116,900 | +7.2% |
How Licking 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+)
Licking Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Texas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Grove | 4,491 | $37,415 | 17.8% | $87,200 |
| Cabool | 2,348 | $33,929 | 28.9% | $130,000 |
| Houston | 2,226 | $40,000 | 30.0% | $114,400 |
| Raymondville | 563 | $48,438 | 18.1% | $119,500 |
| Summersville | 409 | $48,125 | 12.2% | $67,500 |
| Plato | 183 | N/A | 1.6% | $176,800 |
Cities Similar to Licking
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Prairie | 2,902 | $34,637 | $68,400 | 13.6% | 21.2% |
| Piedmont | 2,911 | $40,019 | $97,700 | 11.4% | 49.0% |
| Mountain View | 2,658 | $38,942 | $123,500 | 11.7% | 29.4% |
| Versailles | 2,610 | $33,586 | $117,500 | 13.0% | 20.4% |
| Ava | 3,045 | $42,500 | $148,000 | 12.1% | 21.7% |
Population Overview
Licking is a small community located in Missouri, within Texas County. The total population is 2,858. It ranks as the 210th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Licking is 37.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 14.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Licking is $35,652. This is 50% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.5%. This is 198% 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 unemployment rate is 20.4%. This is 408% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $116,900. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 52.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Licking is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.6%.
Education
5.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% 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 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Licking, 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 Licking, Missouri?
Licking, Missouri has a population of 2,858 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Licking, MO?
The median household income in Licking is $35,652, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Licking, MO?
The poverty rate in Licking is 37.5%. This means approximately 614 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Licking, Missouri?
Licking's population is 77.7% White, 15.6% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Licking, MO?
The median home value in Licking is $116,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Licking, Missouri?
5.7% of adults (25+) in Licking hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.