Steele city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Steele city, Missouri has a total population of 1,449, the 318th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $33,750, which is 51% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 51% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 22.6% is notably above the national average.
Steele city Quick Facts
How Steele city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 39 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Steele city Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to Steele city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelville city | 1,410 | $32,404 | $82,500 | 11.9% | 25.2% |
| Mansfield city | 1,375 | $30,587 | $92,000 | 15.2% | 29.4% |
| Cole Camp city | 1,327 | $35,547 | $143,500 | 19.7% | 13.4% |
| Edina city | 1,420 | $42,125 | $79,900 | 18.6% | 26.2% |
| Sarcoxie city | 1,344 | $37,868 | $79,500 | 5.8% | 27.4% |
Population Overview
Steele city is a small community located in Missouri. The total population is 1,449. It ranks as the 318th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Steele city is 34.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 28.6% of the population under 18, Steele city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 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 Steele city is $33,750. This is 51% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 57% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.5%. This is 118% 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 22.6%. This is 449% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $115,900. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $215,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 51.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Steele city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.5%.
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Steele city, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Steele city, Missouri?
Steele city, Missouri has a population of 1,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Steele city, MO?
The median household income in Steele city is $33,750, which is 57% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Steele city, MO?
The poverty rate in Steele city is 27.5%. This means approximately 382 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Steele city, Missouri?
Steele city's population is 76.0% White, 15.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Steele city, MO?
The median home value in Steele city is $115,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Steele city, Missouri?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Steele city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.