Purdy, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Purdy, Missouri had a total population of 1,121, the 360th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $36,711, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 36.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (36.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.3% is notably above the national average.
Purdy Quick Facts
How Purdy 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 | 1,308 | 1,121 | -14.3% |
| Median household income | $43,438 | $36,711 | -15.5% |
| Median home value | $84,200 | $92,300 | +9.6% |
How Purdy 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+)
Purdy Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Barry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassville | 3,202 | $60,469 | 31.3% | $155,300 |
| Shell Knob | 1,486 | $54,925 | 14.7% | $321,700 |
| Seligman | 941 | $47,798 | 25.2% | $93,800 |
| Exeter | 819 | $47,625 | 18.8% | $101,500 |
| Washburn | 498 | $66,250 | 18.1% | $122,500 |
| Wheaton | 427 | $37,813 | 19.7% | $120,800 |
| Butterfield | 370 | $54,375 | 13.5% | $98,200 |
| Emerald Beach | 274 | $45,781 | 14.3% | $195,600 |
| Golden | 233 | $46,488 | 6.9% | $209,000 |
| Chain-O-Lakes | 119 | $29,000 | 53.8% | $184,700 |
Cities Similar to Purdy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velda City | 1,158 | $37,105 | $49,500 | 15.6% | 21.6% |
| Ellington | 1,057 | $36,205 | $71,300 | 9.6% | 13.5% |
| Humansville | 1,058 | $37,446 | $63,700 | 5.6% | 33.9% |
| Flordell Hills | 1,195 | $36,410 | $51,800 | 14.6% | 41.1% |
| Linn | 1,197 | $36,176 | $165,800 | 23.6% | 25.6% |
Population Overview
Purdy is a small community located in Missouri, within Barry County. The total population is 1,121. It ranks as the 360th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Purdy is 30.8 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 34.9% of the population under 18, Purdy has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Purdy is $36,711. This is 48% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 36.9%. This is 193% 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 12.3%. This is 206% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $92,300. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Purdy is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Purdy is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.1% vs 5.2%).
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 75.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Purdy, 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 Purdy, Missouri?
Purdy, Missouri has a population of 1,121 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Purdy, MO?
The median household income in Purdy is $36,711, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Purdy, MO?
The poverty rate in Purdy is 36.9%. This means approximately 369 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Purdy, Missouri?
Purdy's population is 77.5% White, 0.0% Black, 17.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Purdy, MO?
The median home value in Purdy is $92,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Purdy, Missouri?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Purdy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.