Prairie Home, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Prairie Home, Missouri had a total population of 251, the 676th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $53,750, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
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 2.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Prairie Home Quick Facts
How Prairie Home 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 | 214 | 251 | +17.3% |
| Median household income | $52,083 | $53,750 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $118,800 | $131,300 | +10.5% |
How Prairie Home 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+)
Prairie Home Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Cooper County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boonville | 7,689 | $56,429 | 14.3% | $187,900 |
| Pilot Grove | 744 | $73,977 | 7.0% | $133,000 |
| Otterville | 489 | $48,828 | 11.7% | $122,800 |
| Windsor Place | 405 | $99,375 | 6.2% | $235,800 |
| Bunceton | 256 | $43,500 | 12.2% | $82,500 |
| Blackwater | 207 | $66,389 | 9.7% | $123,600 |
| Wooldridge | 20 | N/A | 20.0% | $156,300 |
Cities Similar to Prairie Home
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | 241 | N/A | N/A | 2.4% | 17.0% |
| Middletown | 248 | $50,625 | $65,000 | 2.7% | 17.3% |
| Freistatt | 249 | $47,917 | $116,000 | 31.9% | 10.4% |
| Centerview | 248 | $60,000 | $61,000 | 4.1% | 19.8% |
| Aurora Springs | 230 | N/A | $146,400 | 26.8% | 40.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 251, Prairie Home'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
Prairie Home is a small community located in Missouri, within Cooper County. The total population is 251. It ranks as the 676th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Prairie Home is 48.3 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 12.3% 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 Prairie Home is $53,750. This is 24% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 133% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $131,300. Housing costs are 43% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Prairie Home is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Prairie Home has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents.
Education
26.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Prairie Home, 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 Prairie Home, Missouri?
Prairie Home, Missouri has a population of 251 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Prairie Home, MO?
The median household income in Prairie Home is $53,750, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Prairie Home, MO?
The poverty rate in Prairie Home is 8.8%. This means approximately 22 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Prairie Home, Missouri?
Prairie Home's population is 92.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Prairie Home, MO?
The median home value in Prairie Home is $131,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Prairie Home, Missouri?
26.6% of adults (25+) in Prairie Home hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.