Plato, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Plato, Missouri had a total population of 183, the 754th largest village in Missouri. The poverty rate is 1.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.6% — among the lowest in Missouri.
Plato Quick Facts
How Plato 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 | 195 | 183 | -6.2% |
| Median home value | $146,700 | $176,800 | +20.5% |
How Plato 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+)
Plato Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Texas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Grove | 4,491 | $37,415 | 17.8% | $87,200 |
| Licking | 2,858 | $35,652 | 37.5% | $116,900 |
| Cabool | 2,348 | $33,929 | 28.9% | $130,000 |
| Houston | 2,226 | $40,000 | 30.0% | $114,400 |
| Raymondville | 563 | $48,438 | 18.1% | $119,500 |
| Summersville | 409 | $48,125 | 12.2% | $67,500 |
Cities Similar to Plato
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearmont | 183 | $43,250 | $111,300 | 19.0% | 21.8% |
| Brashear | 182 | $47,083 | $65,000 | 7.0% | 17.0% |
| Des Arc | 181 | $80,938 | $80,400 | 6.4% | 9.9% |
| Luray | 181 | $57,321 | $61,700 | 1.5% | 33.7% |
| Sheridan | 181 | $31,250 | $45,400 | 16.5% | 39.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 183, Plato'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
Plato is a small community located in Missouri, within Texas County. The total population is 183. It ranks as the 754th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Plato is 15.9 years. This is 59% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 55.2% of the population under 18, Plato has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 1.6%. This is 87% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Plato, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $176,800. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $230,300. 93.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Plato is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.7% of the population.
Education
37.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 20.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Plato, 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.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Plato, Missouri?
Plato, Missouri has a population of 183 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Plato, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Plato — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Plato, MO?
The poverty rate in Plato is 1.6%. This means approximately 3 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Plato, Missouri?
Plato's population is 84.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Plato, MO?
The median home value in Plato is $176,800.
How educated is Plato, Missouri?
37.9% of adults (25+) in Plato hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.