Malden, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Malden, Missouri had a total population of 3,805, the 180th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $40,118, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.6% is notably above the national average.
Malden Quick Facts
How Malden 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 | 3,818 | 3,805 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $38,786 | $40,118 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $88,900 | $101,300 | +13.9% |
How Malden 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Malden Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Dunklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennett | 10,196 | $52,500 | 19.1% | $112,000 |
| Campbell | 1,766 | $49,926 | 30.7% | $75,300 |
| Senath | 1,662 | $31,667 | 24.2% | $79,500 |
| Clarkton | 958 | $46,333 | 31.7% | $47,000 |
| Cardwell | 816 | $22,500 | 56.7% | $38,800 |
| Holcomb | 666 | $62,841 | 12.3% | $108,100 |
| Hornersville | 531 | $38,750 | 34.8% | $55,800 |
| Arbyrd | 432 | $37,000 | 27.1% | $46,800 |
| White Oak | 119 | N/A | 29.4% | N/A |
| Frisbee | 95 | $59,375 | 0.0% | $99,500 |
Cities Similar to Malden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwoods | 3,623 | $45,330 | $76,000 | 21.9% | 24.8% |
| Woodson Terrace | 3,908 | $47,417 | $104,000 | 19.2% | 26.9% |
| Buffalo | 3,417 | $39,896 | $141,800 | 27.8% | 22.3% |
| Breckenridge Hills | 4,402 | $40,958 | $96,100 | 13.8% | 25.9% |
| Lamar | 4,284 | $36,705 | $117,200 | 18.7% | 32.6% |
Population Overview
Malden is a small community located in Missouri, within Dunklin County. The total population is 3,805. It ranks as the 180th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Malden is 38.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.5% of the population under 18, Malden has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Malden is $40,118. This is 43% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.1%. This is 139% 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 9.6%. This is 138% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $101,300. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Malden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Malden is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.5%.
Education
10.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 81.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Malden, 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.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Malden, Missouri?
Malden, Missouri has a population of 3,805 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Malden, MO?
The median household income in Malden is $40,118, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Malden, MO?
The poverty rate in Malden is 30.1%. This means approximately 1,122 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Malden, Missouri?
Malden's population is 72.1% White, 11.5% Black, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Malden, MO?
The median home value in Malden is $101,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Malden, Missouri?
10.6% of adults (25+) in Malden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.