Van Buren, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Van Buren, Missouri had a total population of 1,161, the 354th largest town in Missouri, with a median household income of $20,560, which is 71% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 71% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Van Buren Quick Facts
How Van Buren 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 | 1,146 | 1,161 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $20,441 | $20,560 | +0.6% |
| Median home value | $77,400 | $103,400 | +33.6% |
How Van Buren 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+)
Van Buren Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Carter County
Cities Similar to Van Buren
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velda City | 1,158 | $37,105 | $49,500 | 15.6% | 21.6% |
| Linn | 1,197 | $36,176 | $165,800 | 23.6% | 25.6% |
| Flordell Hills | 1,195 | $36,410 | $51,800 | 14.6% | 41.1% |
| Purdy | 1,121 | $36,711 | $92,300 | 7.9% | 36.9% |
| Greenfield | 1,229 | $36,420 | $86,600 | 13.5% | 26.7% |
Population Overview
Van Buren is a small community located in Missouri, within Carter County. The total population is 1,161. It ranks as the 354th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Buren is 41.2 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. With 33.9% of the population under 18, Van Buren has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 10.4% 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 Van Buren is $20,560. This is 71% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 75% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 44.4%. This is 253% 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 8.2%. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $103,400. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 42.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Van Buren has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.2%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 80.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, Missouri?
Van Buren, Missouri has a population of 1,161 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Buren, MO?
The median household income in Van Buren is $20,560, which is 75% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Van Buren, MO?
The poverty rate in Van Buren is 44.4%. This means approximately 498 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Buren, Missouri?
Van Buren's population is 97.8% White, 0.2% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Buren, MO?
The median home value in Van Buren is $103,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Van Buren, Missouri?
9.6% of adults (25+) in Van Buren hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.