Tarkio, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tarkio, Missouri had a total population of 1,471, the 319th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $56,927, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
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 1.5x.
Tarkio Quick Facts
How Tarkio 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 | 1,478 | 1,471 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $60,250 | $56,927 | -5.5% |
| Median home value | $86,900 | $87,800 | +1.0% |
How Tarkio 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+)
Tarkio Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Atchison County
Cities Similar to Tarkio
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auxvasse | 1,452 | $56,307 | $132,600 | 28.3% | 29.8% |
| Shell Knob | 1,486 | $54,925 | $321,700 | 25.0% | 14.7% |
| Steele | 1,493 | $54,600 | $119,200 | 17.8% | 24.3% |
| Advance | 1,450 | $59,688 | $127,500 | 15.1% | 14.0% |
| Pierce City | 1,477 | $51,121 | $135,600 | 5.8% | 31.8% |
Population Overview
Tarkio is a small community located in Missouri, within Atchison County. The total population is 1,471. It ranks as the 319th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tarkio is 51.0 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 11.7% 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 Tarkio is $56,927. This is 19% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 14% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. The median home value is $87,800. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Tarkio is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tarkio has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
23.1% 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 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tarkio, 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 Tarkio, Missouri?
Tarkio, Missouri has a population of 1,471 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tarkio, MO?
The median household income in Tarkio is $56,927, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tarkio, MO?
The poverty rate in Tarkio is 14.4%. This means approximately 207 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tarkio, Missouri?
Tarkio's population is 89.7% White, 0.6% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tarkio, MO?
The median home value in Tarkio is $87,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Tarkio, Missouri?
23.1% of adults (25+) in Tarkio hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.