Thayer, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Thayer, Missouri had a total population of 2,333, the 247th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $37,417, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Thayer Quick Facts
How Thayer 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 | 2,288 | 2,333 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $36,477 | $37,417 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $69,300 | $67,500 | -2.6% |
How Thayer 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+)
Thayer Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Oregon County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alton | 744 | $50,208 | 16.5% | $114,200 |
| Koshkonong | 198 | $28,182 | 35.0% | $62,900 |
| Thomasville | 8 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Thayer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Point | 2,340 | $37,679 | $62,600 | 10.1% | 34.1% |
| Doniphan | 2,345 | $37,650 | $110,400 | 14.8% | 30.2% |
| Bel-Ridge | 2,432 | $38,049 | $90,700 | 10.8% | 17.7% |
| Cabool | 2,348 | $33,929 | $130,000 | 20.1% | 28.9% |
| Willow Springs | 2,279 | $41,406 | $135,400 | 16.0% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Thayer is a small community located in Missouri, within Oregon County. The total population is 2,333. It ranks as the 247th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Thayer is 40.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. With 30.9% of the population under 18, Thayer has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Thayer is $37,417. This is 47% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 173% 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 4.8%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $67,500. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Thayer is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Thayer has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% 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
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Thayer, 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 Thayer, Missouri?
Thayer, Missouri has a population of 2,333 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Thayer, MO?
The median household income in Thayer is $37,417, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Thayer, MO?
The poverty rate in Thayer is 34.3%. This means approximately 754 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Thayer, Missouri?
Thayer's population is 93.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Thayer, MO?
The median home value in Thayer is $67,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Thayer, Missouri?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Thayer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.