Rolla, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rolla, Missouri had a total population of 20,287, the 38th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $46,204, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Rolla Quick Facts
How Rolla 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 | 20,144 | 20,287 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $42,518 | $46,204 | +8.7% |
| Median home value | $177,400 | $187,000 | +5.4% |
How Rolla 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+)
Rolla Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Phelps County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. James | 3,916 | $53,453 | 19.4% | $142,000 |
| Doolittle | 561 | $40,417 | 14.3% | $119,200 |
| Newburg | 331 | $24,911 | 44.4% | $57,500 |
| Edgar Springs | 224 | $51,771 | 14.7% | $95,000 |
Cities Similar to Rolla
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | 18,213 | $47,524 | $109,900 | 21.3% | 24.2% |
| Sedalia | 22,003 | $50,990 | $143,000 | 16.3% | 19.4% |
| Warrensburg | 19,582 | $57,067 | $222,200 | 37.8% | 16.2% |
| Farmington | 18,282 | $53,729 | $196,500 | 16.3% | 15.9% |
| Kirksville | 17,563 | $50,071 | $153,900 | 40.3% | 28.2% |
Population Overview
Rolla is a small city located in Missouri, within Phelps County. The total population is 20,287. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rolla is 28.2 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rolla is $46,204. This is 35% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 87% 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 4.6%. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $187,000. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 39.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rolla is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 7.3%. The Black or African American population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.3% vs 2.1%).
Education
35.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% higher 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 91.6%. Notably, 17.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rolla, 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 Rolla, Missouri?
Rolla, Missouri has a population of 20,287 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rolla, MO?
The median household income in Rolla is $46,204, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rolla, MO?
The poverty rate in Rolla is 23.5%. This means approximately 4,143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rolla, Missouri?
Rolla's population is 78.9% White, 4.9% Black, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rolla, MO?
The median home value in Rolla is $187,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Rolla, Missouri?
35.6% of adults (25+) in Rolla hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.