Parma, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Parma, Missouri had a total population of 596, the 476th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $63,750, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.7%.
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 (27.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.5%.
Parma Quick Facts
How Parma 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 | 552 | 596 | +8.0% |
| Median household income | $63,500 | $63,750 | +0.4% |
| Median home value | $35,800 | $43,300 | +20.9% |
How Parma 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Parma Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in New Madrid County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portageville | 2,825 | $52,279 | 17.5% | $152,400 |
| New Madrid | 2,662 | $57,727 | 12.3% | $127,500 |
| Lilbourn | 905 | $40,625 | 32.1% | $57,300 |
| Morehouse | 715 | $32,254 | 19.3% | $56,000 |
| Gideon | 662 | $41,538 | 26.7% | $55,500 |
| Matthews | 561 | $42,695 | 14.4% | $108,400 |
| Marston | 400 | $35,000 | 32.5% | $64,300 |
| Risco | 288 | $48,000 | 25.4% | $62,300 |
| Howardville | 179 | $13,281 | 53.6% | $54,100 |
| Canalou | 177 | $46,875 | 14.7% | $32,000 |
Cities Similar to Parma
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville | 595 | $60,625 | $151,300 | 9.0% | 15.4% |
| Kelso | 603 | $56,875 | $215,400 | 24.9% | 12.6% |
| Trimble | 561 | $65,563 | $197,600 | 13.8% | 8.2% |
| Union Star | 559 | $61,299 | $105,700 | 16.1% | 4.5% |
| Ravenwood | 563 | $60,250 | $69,300 | 13.4% | 8.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 596, Parma'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
Parma is a small community located in Missouri, within New Madrid County. The total population is 596. It ranks as the 476th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Parma is 37.9 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Parma is $63,750. This is 10% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.7%. This is 120% 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 0.5%. This is 89% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $43,300. Housing costs are 81% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Parma is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Parma is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 27.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (27.5% vs 10.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 5.2%).
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% 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 78.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Parma, 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 Parma, Missouri?
Parma, Missouri has a population of 596 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Parma, MO?
The median household income in Parma is $63,750, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Parma, MO?
The poverty rate in Parma is 27.7%. This means approximately 165 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Parma, Missouri?
Parma's population is 48.3% White, 27.5% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Parma, MO?
The median home value in Parma is $43,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.7x.
How educated is Parma, Missouri?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Parma hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.