Poplar Bluff, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Poplar Bluff, Missouri had a total population of 16,254, the 54th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $41,941, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
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.
Poplar Bluff Quick Facts
How Poplar Bluff 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 | 16,243 | 16,254 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $42,035 | $41,941 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $109,700 | $119,800 | +9.2% |
How Poplar Bluff 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+)
Poplar Bluff Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Butler County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qulin | 570 | $23,365 | 40.4% | N/A |
| Fisk | 502 | $58,125 | 12.3% | N/A |
| Fairdealing | 415 | $49,293 | 20.5% | $176,400 |
| Neelyville | 358 | $35,865 | 53.2% | $35,000 |
| Broseley | 65 | $48,173 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Poplar Bluff
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | 15,270 | $48,359 | $158,800 | 18.2% | 21.7% |
| Carthage | 15,574 | $51,328 | $146,800 | 22.1% | 27.2% |
| Hannibal | 16,771 | $53,721 | $127,700 | 19.6% | 19.5% |
| Kirksville | 17,563 | $50,071 | $153,900 | 40.3% | 28.2% |
| Sikeston | 16,320 | $58,915 | $168,800 | 27.5% | 14.2% |
Population Overview
Poplar Bluff is a small city located in Missouri, within Butler County. The total population is 16,254. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Poplar Bluff is 37.3 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Poplar Bluff is $41,941. This is 41% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 65% 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 4.9%. This is 21% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $119,800. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Poplar Bluff is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Poplar Bluff is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
14.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Poplar Bluff, 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 Poplar Bluff, Missouri?
Poplar Bluff, Missouri has a population of 16,254 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Poplar Bluff, MO?
The median household income in Poplar Bluff is $41,941, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Poplar Bluff, MO?
The poverty rate in Poplar Bluff is 20.8%. This means approximately 3,246 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Poplar Bluff, Missouri?
Poplar Bluff's population is 78.5% White, 9.1% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Poplar Bluff, MO?
The median home value in Poplar Bluff is $119,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Poplar Bluff, Missouri?
14.4% of adults (25+) in Poplar Bluff hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.