Shell Knob, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shell Knob, Missouri had a total population of 1,486, the 317th largest community in Missouri, with a median household income of $54,925, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.4% is notably above the national average.
Shell Knob Quick Facts
How Shell Knob 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 | 1,445 | 1,486 | +2.8% |
| Median household income | $51,852 | $54,925 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $304,700 | $321,700 | +5.6% |
How Shell Knob 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+)
Shell Knob 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 |
| Purdy | 1,121 | $36,711 | 36.9% | $92,300 |
| 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 Shell Knob
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steele | 1,493 | $54,600 | $119,200 | 17.8% | 24.3% |
| Tarkio | 1,471 | $56,927 | $87,800 | 23.1% | 14.4% |
| Auxvasse | 1,452 | $56,307 | $132,600 | 28.3% | 29.8% |
| Pierce City | 1,477 | $51,121 | $135,600 | 5.8% | 31.8% |
| Cool Valley | 1,411 | $53,560 | $102,800 | 12.1% | 28.8% |
Population Overview
Shell Knob is a small community located in Missouri, within Barry County. The total population is 1,486. It ranks as the 317th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shell Knob is 59.6 years. This is 53% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 7.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 15.2% 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 Shell Knob is $54,925. This is 22% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.7%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 8.4%. This is 108% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $321,700. Housing costs are 40% higher than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 85.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Shell Knob is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.6% vs 5.2%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
25.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shell Knob, 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 Shell Knob, Missouri?
Shell Knob, Missouri has a population of 1,486 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shell Knob, MO?
The median household income in Shell Knob is $54,925, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shell Knob, MO?
The poverty rate in Shell Knob is 14.7%. This means approximately 219 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shell Knob, Missouri?
Shell Knob's population is 82.2% White, 0.0% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shell Knob, MO?
The median home value in Shell Knob is $321,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Shell Knob, Missouri?
25.0% of adults (25+) in Shell Knob hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.