Pierce City, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pierce City, Missouri had a total population of 1,477, the 318th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $51,121, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.8%.
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 (31.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Pierce City Quick Facts
How Pierce City 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 | 1,472 | 1,477 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $45,000 | $51,121 | +13.6% |
| Median home value | $112,000 | $135,600 | +21.1% |
How Pierce City 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pierce City Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monett | 9,873 | $49,390 | 15.2% | $167,700 |
| Aurora | 7,397 | $49,848 | 18.1% | $124,400 |
| Mount Vernon | 4,563 | $53,255 | 13.8% | $186,800 |
| Marionville | 2,785 | $49,631 | 21.0% | $131,400 |
| Miller | 769 | $56,371 | 22.1% | $100,400 |
| Verona | 477 | $42,417 | 28.9% | $90,000 |
| Freistatt | 249 | $47,917 | 10.4% | $116,000 |
| Stotts City | 178 | $36,563 | 31.5% | $70,500 |
| Halltown | 40 | N/A | 45.0% | N/A |
| Hoberg | 34 | N/A | 5.9% | $117,500 |
Cities Similar to Pierce City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Knob | 1,486 | $54,925 | $321,700 | 25.0% | 14.7% |
| Steele | 1,493 | $54,600 | $119,200 | 17.8% | 24.3% |
| Rich Hill | 1,453 | $47,167 | $75,600 | 7.5% | 33.7% |
| Tarkio | 1,471 | $56,927 | $87,800 | 23.1% | 14.4% |
| Auxvasse | 1,452 | $56,307 | $132,600 | 28.3% | 29.8% |
Population Overview
Pierce City is a small community located in Missouri, within Lawrence County. The total population is 1,477. It ranks as the 318th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pierce City is 29.0 years. This is 26% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 38.0% of the population under 18, Pierce City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pierce City is $51,121. 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 31.8%. This is 153% 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 5.2%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $135,600. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Pierce City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pierce City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 2.1%).
Education
5.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% 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 79.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pierce City, 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 Pierce City, Missouri?
Pierce City, Missouri has a population of 1,477 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pierce City, MO?
The median household income in Pierce City is $51,121, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pierce City, MO?
The poverty rate in Pierce City is 31.8%. This means approximately 468 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pierce City, Missouri?
Pierce City's population is 66.8% White, 0.3% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pierce City, MO?
The median home value in Pierce City is $135,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Pierce City, Missouri?
5.8% of adults (25+) in Pierce City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.