Perry, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Perry, Missouri had a total population of 640, the 468th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $50,795, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Perry Quick Facts
How Perry 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 | 710 | 640 | -9.9% |
| Median household income | $47,443 | $50,795 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $108,600 | $112,100 | +3.2% |
How Perry 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+)
Perry Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Ralls County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New London | 1,130 | $63,021 | 20.1% | $134,100 |
| Center | 537 | $59,375 | 14.1% | $82,400 |
| Rensselaer | 243 | $77,750 | 7.8% | $190,600 |
| Saverton | 60 | N/A | 0.0% | $218,300 |
Cities Similar to Perry
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alba | 624 | $51,510 | $83,200 | 13.3% | 32.4% |
| Queen City | 650 | $48,884 | $66,900 | 1.4% | 10.6% |
| Leeton | 660 | $51,917 | $99,600 | 10.4% | 14.0% |
| Shelbyville | 621 | $52,250 | $85,200 | 17.3% | 16.5% |
| Bevier | 657 | $47,240 | $94,200 | 11.0% | 15.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 640, Perry'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
Perry is a small community located in Missouri, within Ralls County. The total population is 640. It ranks as the 468th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Perry is 45.3 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 8.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.9% 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 Perry is $50,795. This is 28% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $112,100. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Perry is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Perry is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 93.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Perry, 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 Perry, Missouri?
Perry, Missouri has a population of 640 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Perry, MO?
The median household income in Perry is $50,795, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Perry, MO?
The poverty rate in Perry is 17.5%. This means approximately 112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Perry, Missouri?
Perry's population is 75.9% White, 0.0% Black, 2.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Perry, MO?
The median home value in Perry is $112,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Perry, Missouri?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Perry hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.