Vandalia, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Vandalia, Missouri had a total population of 3,140, the 197th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $50,313, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 7.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Vandalia Quick Facts
How Vandalia 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 | 3,260 | 3,140 | -3.7% |
| Median household income | $58,649 | $50,313 | -14.2% |
| Median home value | $75,600 | $84,500 | +11.8% |
How Vandalia 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+)
Vandalia Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Audrain County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 11,477 | $50,873 | 17.8% | $139,800 |
| Laddonia | 533 | $53,309 | 15.0% | $80,200 |
| Martinsburg | 522 | $34,503 | 13.8% | N/A |
| Farber | 272 | $46,458 | 22.1% | $60,000 |
| Vandiver | 127 | $56,719 | 1.6% | $115,600 |
| Benton City | 88 | $57,500 | 20.4% | $91,700 |
| Rush Hill | 71 | $66,250 | 11.3% | $39,300 |
Cities Similar to Vandalia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton | 3,145 | $49,777 | $110,200 | 20.2% | 23.5% |
| Windsor | 3,094 | $49,783 | $101,400 | 15.2% | 24.2% |
| Bethany | 3,080 | $48,375 | $121,700 | 17.4% | 17.1% |
| Cuba | 3,189 | $45,916 | $136,600 | 9.5% | 14.1% |
| Monroe City | 3,028 | $55,737 | $159,300 | 17.5% | 12.7% |
Population Overview
Vandalia is a small community located in Missouri, within Audrain County. The total population is 3,140. It ranks as the 197th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Vandalia is 40.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 13.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Vandalia is $50,313. This is 29% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 10% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 50% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $84,500. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Vandalia is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Vandalia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
7.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 76% 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 84.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Vandalia, 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 Vandalia, Missouri?
Vandalia, Missouri has a population of 3,140 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Vandalia, MO?
The median household income in Vandalia is $50,313, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Vandalia, MO?
The poverty rate in Vandalia is 13.9%. This means approximately 311 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Vandalia, Missouri?
Vandalia's population is 81.2% White, 8.6% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Vandalia, MO?
The median home value in Vandalia is $84,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Vandalia, Missouri?
7.9% of adults (25+) in Vandalia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.