St. Joseph, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Joseph, Missouri had a total population of 71,236, the 9th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $57,956, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
St. Joseph Quick Facts
How St. Joseph 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 | 71,542 | 71,236 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $55,578 | $57,956 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $144,200 | $154,200 | +6.9% |
How St. Joseph 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. Joseph Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Buchanan County
Cities Similar to St. Joseph
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Charles | 71,508 | $85,937 | $298,700 | 43.3% | 7.3% |
| Joplin | 52,593 | $52,097 | $168,300 | 26.7% | 16.9% |
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | $148,800 | 22.4% | 10.1% |
| Blue Springs | 59,965 | $88,920 | $263,100 | 35.0% | 7.0% |
| St. Peters | 59,092 | $91,637 | $269,900 | 39.2% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
St. Joseph is a mid-sized community located in Missouri, within Buchanan County. The total population is 71,236. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Joseph is 38.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Joseph is $57,956. This is 18% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $154,200. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, St. Joseph is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Joseph is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (8.4% vs 5.2%).
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 89.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Joseph, 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. Joseph, Missouri?
St. Joseph, Missouri has a population of 71,236 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Joseph, MO?
The median household income in St. Joseph is $57,956, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Joseph, MO?
The poverty rate in St. Joseph is 17.7%. This means approximately 12,056 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Joseph, Missouri?
St. Joseph's population is 77.3% White, 6.5% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Joseph, MO?
The median home value in St. Joseph is $154,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is St. Joseph, Missouri?
23.0% of adults (25+) in St. Joseph hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.