Seneca, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Seneca, Missouri had a total population of 1,906, the 279th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $46,023, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
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.
- Only 7.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Seneca Quick Facts
How Seneca 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 | 1,938 | 1,906 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $49,821 | $46,023 | -7.6% |
| Median home value | $112,300 | $132,600 | +18.1% |
How Seneca 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Seneca Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Newton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neosho | 13,224 | $57,891 | 15.2% | $163,400 |
| Granby | 2,745 | $48,864 | 25.6% | $104,700 |
| Loma Linda | 1,239 | $92,292 | 13.4% | $275,700 |
| Diamond | 914 | $73,587 | 3.7% | $141,400 |
| Leawood | 512 | $97,813 | 6.3% | $251,900 |
| Shoal Creek Drive | 485 | $99,583 | 6.6% | $136,300 |
| Fairview | 371 | $67,083 | 16.4% | $105,000 |
| Saginaw | 332 | $58,269 | 7.5% | $173,100 |
| Stella | 275 | $42,500 | 71.5% | N/A |
| Newtonia | 244 | $65,714 | 11.5% | $88,200 |
Cities Similar to Seneca
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 1,909 | $44,926 | $101,300 | 21.1% | 19.4% |
| Noel | 1,913 | $41,483 | $122,400 | 14.8% | 27.2% |
| Elsberry | 1,870 | $49,760 | $139,000 | 15.3% | 24.8% |
| Claycomo | 1,820 | $49,343 | $169,600 | 12.9% | 19.8% |
| Warsaw | 1,980 | $41,413 | $152,000 | 14.9% | 20.1% |
Population Overview
Seneca is a small community located in Missouri, within Newton County. The total population is 1,906. It ranks as the 279th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Seneca is 39.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 13.0% 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 Seneca is $46,023. 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 21.4%. This is 71% 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 0.8%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $132,600. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Seneca is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Seneca is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
7.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Seneca, 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 Seneca, Missouri?
Seneca, Missouri has a population of 1,906 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Seneca, MO?
The median household income in Seneca is $46,023, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Seneca, MO?
The poverty rate in Seneca is 21.4%. This means approximately 397 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Seneca, Missouri?
Seneca's population is 74.9% White, 0.0% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Seneca, MO?
The median home value in Seneca is $132,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Seneca, Missouri?
7.0% of adults (25+) in Seneca hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.