Potosi, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Potosi, Missouri had a total population of 2,544, the 235th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $39,846, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Potosi Quick Facts
How Potosi 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 | 2,542 | 2,544 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $37,055 | $39,846 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $101,100 | $110,100 | +8.9% |
How Potosi 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+)
Potosi Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irondale | 622 | $37,368 | 33.0% | $99,300 |
| Mineral Point | 324 | $41,394 | 21.4% | $47,500 |
| Caledonia | 209 | $60,417 | 12.0% | $55,300 |
Cities Similar to Potosi
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View | 2,658 | $38,942 | $123,500 | 11.7% | 29.4% |
| Bel-Ridge | 2,432 | $38,049 | $90,700 | 10.8% | 17.7% |
| Doniphan | 2,345 | $37,650 | $110,400 | 14.8% | 30.2% |
| Versailles | 2,610 | $33,586 | $117,500 | 13.0% | 20.4% |
| Castle Point | 2,340 | $37,679 | $62,600 | 10.1% | 34.1% |
Population Overview
Potosi is a small community located in Missouri, within Washington County. The total population is 2,544. It ranks as the 235th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Potosi is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.1% 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 Potosi is $39,846. This is 44% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 51% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.0%. This is 99% 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 3.7%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $110,100. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Potosi is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Potosi has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.4%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Potosi, 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 Potosi, Missouri?
Potosi, Missouri has a population of 2,544 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Potosi, MO?
The median household income in Potosi is $39,846, which is 51% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Potosi, MO?
The poverty rate in Potosi is 25.0%. This means approximately 594 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Potosi, Missouri?
Potosi's population is 87.3% White, 0.8% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Potosi, MO?
The median home value in Potosi is $110,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Potosi, Missouri?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Potosi hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.