Sheldon, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sheldon, Missouri had a total population of 443, the 544th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $41,848, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Sheldon Quick Facts
How Sheldon 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 | 362 | 443 | +22.4% |
| Median household income | $42,386 | $41,848 | -1.3% |
| Median home value | $76,700 | $67,500 | -12.0% |
How Sheldon 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+)
Sheldon Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Vernon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 7,925 | $42,813 | 27.8% | $122,700 |
| Walker | 359 | $40,417 | 10.3% | N/A |
| Schell City | 224 | $46,250 | 11.2% | $57,500 |
| Bronaugh | 163 | $52,917 | 31.4% | $43,600 |
| Moundville | 98 | $56,667 | 13.3% | $72,500 |
| Richards | 49 | $45,804 | 30.6% | $65,700 |
| Milo | 47 | $35,500 | 46.8% | $60,000 |
| Deerfield | 43 | N/A | 18.6% | $113,900 |
| Metz | 7 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Harwood | 6 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sheldon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wardell | 445 | $40,250 | $54,300 | 12.3% | 42.9% |
| Keytesville | 435 | $40,682 | $86,300 | 21.6% | 12.6% |
| Asbury | 459 | N/A | $117,500 | 21.7% | 4.8% |
| Madison | 446 | $44,583 | $83,800 | 11.1% | 20.6% |
| Urbana | 441 | $38,750 | $83,000 | 10.3% | 30.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 443, Sheldon'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
Sheldon is a small community located in Missouri, within Vernon County. The total population is 443. It ranks as the 544th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sheldon is 41.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. With 28.9% of the population under 18, Sheldon has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sheldon is $41,848. This is 41% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.0%. This is 194% 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 6.2%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $67,500. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Sheldon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sheldon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%.
Education
11.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, Missouri?
Sheldon, Missouri has a population of 443 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sheldon, MO?
The median household income in Sheldon is $41,848, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sheldon, MO?
The poverty rate in Sheldon is 37.0%. This means approximately 164 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sheldon, Missouri?
Sheldon's population is 90.7% White, 0.0% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sheldon, MO?
The median home value in Sheldon is $67,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Sheldon, Missouri?
11.0% of adults (25+) in Sheldon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.