Stella, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stella, Missouri had a total population of 275, the 660th largest town in Missouri, with a median household income of $42,500, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 71.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (71.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 2.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Stella Quick Facts
How Stella 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 | 252 | 275 | +9.1% |
| Median household income | $39,345 | $42,500 | +8.0% |
How Stella 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+)
Stella Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Newton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neosho | 13,224 | $57,891 | 15.2% | $163,400 |
| Granby | 2,745 | $48,864 | 25.6% | $104,700 |
| Seneca | 1,906 | $46,023 | 21.4% | $132,600 |
| Loma Linda | 1,239 | $92,292 | 13.4% | $275,700 |
| Diamond | 914 | $73,587 | 3.7% | $141,400 |
| Leawood | 512 | $97,813 | 6.3% | $251,900 |
| Shoal Creek Drive | 485 | $99,583 | 6.6% | $136,300 |
| Fairview | 371 | $67,083 | 16.4% | $105,000 |
| Saginaw | 332 | $58,269 | 7.5% | $173,100 |
| Newtonia | 244 | $65,714 | 11.5% | $88,200 |
Cities Similar to Stella
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leasburg | 279 | $40,833 | $101,500 | 11.7% | 25.1% |
| Emerald Beach | 274 | $45,781 | $195,600 | 22.4% | 14.3% |
| Houstonia | 273 | $39,337 | N/A | 32.7% | 14.3% |
| Kingston | 271 | $45,625 | $102,500 | 5.2% | 15.8% |
| Macks Creek | 290 | N/A | $275,000 | 8.5% | 25.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 275, Stella's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Stella is a small community located in Missouri, within Newton County. The total population is 275. It ranks as the 660th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stella is 13.9 years. This is 64% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 50.9% of the population under 18, Stella has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Stella is $42,500. This is 40% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 71.5%. This is 469% 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 2.7%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. 80.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Stella has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
2.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 92% 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 85.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stella, 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 Stella, Missouri?
Stella, Missouri has a population of 275 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stella, MO?
The median household income in Stella is $42,500, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stella, MO?
The poverty rate in Stella is 71.5%. This means approximately 196 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stella, Missouri?
Stella's population is 96.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stella, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Stella — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Stella, Missouri?
2.5% of adults (25+) in Stella hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.