Meta, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Meta, Missouri had a total population of 115, the 845th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $42,708, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Meta Quick Facts
How Meta 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 | 128 | 115 | -10.2% |
| Median household income | $41,563 | $42,708 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $93,800 | $96,900 | +3.3% |
How Meta 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+)
Meta Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Osage County
Cities Similar to Meta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faucett | 114 | N/A | $242,300 | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| Montreal | 114 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 64.9% |
| Wentworth | 115 | $41,875 | $111,100 | 2.1% | 15.7% |
| Jameson | 115 | $40,769 | $37,300 | 18.1% | 6.1% |
| Jacksonville | 112 | $42,813 | N/A | 7.0% | 14.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 115, Meta's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Meta is a small community located in Missouri, within Osage County. The total population is 115. It ranks as the 845th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Meta is 58.6 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 2.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.3% 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 Meta is $42,708. This is 40% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. The median home value is $96,900. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Meta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Meta has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.9% of all residents.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Meta, 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 Meta, Missouri?
Meta, Missouri has a population of 115 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Meta, MO?
The median household income in Meta is $42,708, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Meta, MO?
The poverty rate in Meta is 12.2%. This means approximately 14 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Meta, Missouri?
Meta's population is 93.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Meta, MO?
The median home value in Meta is $96,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Meta, Missouri?
13.9% of adults (25+) in Meta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.