Steele, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Steele, Missouri had a total population of 1,493, the 316th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $54,600, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 16.0% is notably above the national average.
Steele Quick Facts
How Steele 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 | 1,449 | 1,493 | +3.0% |
| Median household income | $33,750 | $54,600 | +61.8% |
| Median home value | $115,900 | $119,200 | +2.8% |
How Steele 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Steele Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Pemiscot County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caruthersville | 5,326 | $34,652 | 31.4% | $107,700 |
| Hayti | 2,090 | $24,881 | 42.5% | $70,400 |
| Hayti Heights | 540 | $20,714 | 50.2% | $63,900 |
| Wardell | 445 | $40,250 | 42.9% | $54,300 |
| Cooter | 285 | $46,250 | 18.6% | $73,900 |
| Holland | 141 | $37,375 | 14.2% | $59,300 |
| Pascola | 87 | $46,071 | 1.1% | $27,500 |
| Hayward | 83 | N/A | 0.0% | $30,900 |
| Deering | 74 | $65,227 | 4.0% | $62,300 |
| Homestown | 64 | $26,042 | 45.3% | $9,999 |
Cities Similar to Steele
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Knob | 1,486 | $54,925 | $321,700 | 25.0% | 14.7% |
| 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
Steele is a small community located in Missouri, within Pemiscot County. The total population is 1,493. It ranks as the 316th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Steele is 38.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Steele is $54,600. This is 23% 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 24.3%. This is 94% 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 16.0%. This is 299% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $119,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Steele is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Steele is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.4%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Steele, 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 Steele, Missouri?
Steele, Missouri has a population of 1,493 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Steele, MO?
The median household income in Steele is $54,600, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Steele, MO?
The poverty rate in Steele is 24.3%. This means approximately 348 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Steele, Missouri?
Steele's population is 75.8% White, 7.4% Black, 2.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Steele, MO?
The median home value in Steele is $119,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Steele, Missouri?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Steele hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.