Noel, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Noel, Missouri had a total population of 1,913, the 277th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $41,483, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Missouri (diversity index: 73/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Noel Quick Facts
How Noel 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 | 1,679 | 1,913 | +13.9% |
| Median household income | $39,196 | $41,483 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $117,000 | $122,400 | +4.6% |
How Noel 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Noel Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in McDonald County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 2,685 | $53,966 | 17.7% | $116,200 |
| Goodman | 1,092 | $54,250 | 16.5% | $117,200 |
| Southwest City | 992 | $44,625 | 15.5% | $91,100 |
| Pineville | 736 | $30,978 | 20.6% | $213,100 |
| Lanagan | 483 | $49,000 | 17.0% | $90,000 |
| Jane | 292 | $46,250 | 23.6% | $214,300 |
| Rocky Comfort | 253 | $66,125 | 7.5% | $110,400 |
| Ginger Blue | 117 | $39,153 | 0.9% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Noel
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | 1,980 | $41,413 | $152,000 | 14.9% | 20.1% |
| Albany | 1,909 | $44,926 | $101,300 | 21.1% | 19.4% |
| Seneca | 1,906 | $46,023 | $132,600 | 7.0% | 21.4% |
| Stockton | 1,950 | $37,679 | $140,100 | 18.1% | 20.0% |
| Bloomfield | 2,069 | $41,838 | $67,100 | 7.8% | 25.1% |
Population Overview
Noel is a small community located in Missouri, within McDonald County. The total population is 1,913. It ranks as the 277th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Noel is 28.1 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 34.9% of the population under 18, Noel has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Noel is $41,483. This is 41% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 116% 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 8.6%. This is 113% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $122,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 30.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Noel is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (26.3%) is well below the state average of 76.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.6% vs 10.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.1% vs 5.2%).
Education
14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 66.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Noel, 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 Noel, Missouri?
Noel, Missouri has a population of 1,913 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Noel, MO?
The median household income in Noel is $41,483, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Noel, MO?
The poverty rate in Noel is 27.2%. This means approximately 515 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Noel, Missouri?
Noel's population is 26.3% White, 22.6% Black, 38.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Noel, MO?
The median home value in Noel is $122,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Noel, Missouri?
14.8% of adults (25+) in Noel hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.