St. James, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. James, Missouri had a total population of 3,916, the 177th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $53,453, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
St. James Quick Facts
How St. James 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 | 3,922 | 3,916 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $50,644 | $53,453 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $117,200 | $142,000 | +21.2% |
How St. James 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+)
St. James Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Phelps County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolla | 20,287 | $46,204 | 23.5% | $187,000 |
| 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 St. James
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camdenton | 4,023 | $54,375 | $175,500 | 11.6% | 15.3% |
| Brookfield | 4,144 | $53,000 | $102,100 | 13.9% | 14.3% |
| Woodson Terrace | 3,908 | $47,417 | $104,000 | 19.2% | 26.9% |
| Bowling Green | 4,170 | $53,295 | $128,800 | 10.0% | 25.8% |
| Riverside | 4,276 | $52,006 | $411,300 | 37.3% | 17.3% |
Population Overview
St. James is a small community located in Missouri, within Phelps County. The total population is 3,916. It ranks as the 177th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. James is 49.3 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 10.8% 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 St. James is $53,453. This is 24% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 54% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $142,000. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, St. James is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. James has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.4%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% 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 85.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. James, 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 St. James, Missouri?
St. James, Missouri has a population of 3,916 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. James, MO?
The median household income in St. James is $53,453, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. James, MO?
The poverty rate in St. James is 19.4%. This means approximately 704 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. James, Missouri?
St. James's population is 90.2% White, 0.5% Black, 3.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. James, MO?
The median home value in St. James is $142,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is St. James, Missouri?
20.3% of adults (25+) in St. James hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.