Rensselaer, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rensselaer, Missouri had a total population of 243, the 686th largest village in Missouri, with a median household income of $77,750, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.
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 2.5x.
Rensselaer Quick Facts
How Rensselaer 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 | 262 | 243 | -7.3% |
| Median household income | $80,625 | $77,750 | -3.6% |
| Median home value | $198,900 | $190,600 | -4.2% |
How Rensselaer 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+)
Rensselaer Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Ralls County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New London | 1,130 | $63,021 | 20.1% | $134,100 |
| Perry | 640 | $50,795 | 17.5% | $112,100 |
| Center | 537 | $59,375 | 14.1% | $82,400 |
| Saverton | 60 | N/A | 0.0% | $218,300 |
Cities Similar to Rensselaer
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% |
| Excelsior Estates | 239 | $79,844 | $53,500 | 1.3% | 10.9% |
| Blackburn | 240 | $82,500 | $117,600 | 12.3% | 7.5% |
| Aurora Springs | 230 | N/A | $146,400 | 26.8% | 40.0% |
| Lohman | 243 | $89,167 | $218,800 | 20.1% | 11.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 243, Rensselaer'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
Rensselaer is a small community located in Missouri, within Ralls County. The total population is 243. It ranks as the 686th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rensselaer is 50.1 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.9% 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 Rensselaer is $77,750. This is 10% higher than the state median of $70,702. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $190,600. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Rensselaer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rensselaer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rensselaer, 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.
Free data download: Get all Missouri city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rensselaer, Missouri?
Rensselaer, Missouri has a population of 243 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rensselaer, MO?
The median household income in Rensselaer is $77,750, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rensselaer, MO?
The poverty rate in Rensselaer is 7.8%. This means approximately 19 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rensselaer, Missouri?
Rensselaer's population is 91.4% White, 2.9% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rensselaer, MO?
The median home value in Rensselaer is $190,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Rensselaer, Missouri?
23.4% of adults (25+) in Rensselaer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.