Nelson, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nelson, Missouri had a total population of 124, the 829th largest city in Missouri. The poverty rate is 43.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Nelson Quick Facts
How Nelson 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 | 89 | 124 | +39.3% |
| Median home value | $28,600 | $25,400 | -11.2% |
How Nelson 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+)
Nelson Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Saline County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 13,739 | $54,437 | 17.1% | $147,900 |
| Slater | 2,066 | $39,479 | 34.0% | $85,300 |
| Sweet Springs | 1,268 | $46,780 | 14.9% | $107,900 |
| Gilliam | 324 | $39,728 | 39.8% | $85,800 |
| Malta Bend | 211 | $46,875 | 8.6% | $91,000 |
| Miami | 71 | $46,250 | 8.5% | $156,900 |
| Arrow Rock | 65 | $35,469 | 3.1% | $278,800 |
| Mount Leonard | 52 | N/A | 73.1% | $37,500 |
| Grand Pass | 48 | $21,406 | 64.6% | $63,000 |
Cities Similar to Nelson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iantha | 124 | N/A | N/A | 13.1% | 15.3% |
| Bethel | 126 | $65,938 | $63,800 | 17.0% | 10.3% |
| Shawneetown | 122 | N/A | N/A | 66.1% | 0.0% |
| Allenville | 127 | $51,071 | $82,500 | 16.9% | 25.6% |
| Vandiver | 127 | $56,719 | $115,600 | 23.7% | 1.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 124, Nelson'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
Nelson is a small community located in Missouri, within Saline County. The total population is 124. It ranks as the 829th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nelson is 53.4 years. This is 37% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. With 29.8% of the population under 18, Nelson has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 43.1%. This is 243% 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 Nelson, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $25,400. Housing costs are 89% lower than the state median of $230,300. 96.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Nelson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.2%. The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
6.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 74.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nelson, 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 Nelson, Missouri?
Nelson, Missouri has a population of 124 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nelson, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Nelson — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nelson, MO?
The poverty rate in Nelson is 43.1%. This means approximately 50 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nelson, Missouri?
Nelson's population is 96.0% White, 3.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nelson, MO?
The median home value in Nelson is $25,400.
How educated is Nelson, Missouri?
6.1% of adults (25+) in Nelson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.