Preston, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Preston, Missouri had a total population of 331, the 617th largest village in Missouri, with a median household income of $40,417, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Preston Quick Facts
How Preston 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 | 348 | 331 | -4.9% |
| Median household income | $30,500 | $40,417 | +32.5% |
| Median home value | $147,500 | $179,900 | +22.0% |
How Preston 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+)
Preston Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Hickory County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermitage | 734 | $25,833 | 48.9% | $126,300 |
| Weaubleau | 521 | $30,686 | 35.7% | N/A |
| Cross Timbers | 379 | N/A | 20.1% | $176,800 |
| Wheatland | 247 | $18,750 | 36.4% | $179,700 |
Cities Similar to Preston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purcell | 324 | N/A | $87,700 | 13.7% | 31.5% |
| Gilliam | 324 | $39,728 | $85,800 | 10.5% | 39.8% |
| Mineral Point | 324 | $41,394 | $47,500 | 3.3% | 21.4% |
| Mercer | 325 | $39,028 | $63,800 | 12.2% | 6.2% |
| Oak Grove Village | 347 | $41,324 | $152,500 | 8.0% | 31.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 331, Preston'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
Preston is a small community located in Missouri, within Hickory County. The total population is 331. It ranks as the 617th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Preston is 37.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Preston is $40,417. This is 43% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 145% 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 10.4%. This is 158% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $179,900. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Preston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
3.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 89% 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 92.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Preston, 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 Preston, Missouri?
Preston, Missouri has a population of 331 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Preston, MO?
The median household income in Preston is $40,417, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Preston, MO?
The poverty rate in Preston is 30.8%. This means approximately 102 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Preston, Missouri?
Preston's population is 90.9% White, 0.0% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Preston, MO?
The median home value in Preston is $179,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Preston, Missouri?
3.7% of adults (25+) in Preston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.