Wardell, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wardell, Missouri had a total population of 445, the 543rd largest town in Missouri, with a median household income of $40,250, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 42.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (42.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Wardell Quick Facts
How Wardell 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 | 455 | 445 | -2.2% |
| Median household income | $48,500 | $40,250 | -17.0% |
| Median home value | $51,300 | $54,300 | +5.8% |
How Wardell 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+)
Wardell Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Pemiscot County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caruthersville | 5,326 | $34,652 | 31.4% | $107,700 |
| Hayti | 2,090 | $24,881 | 42.5% | $70,400 |
| Steele | 1,493 | $54,600 | 24.3% | $119,200 |
| Hayti Heights | 540 | $20,714 | 50.2% | $63,900 |
| Cooter | 285 | $46,250 | 18.6% | $73,900 |
| Holland | 141 | $37,375 | 14.2% | $59,300 |
| Pascola | 87 | $46,071 | 1.1% | $27,500 |
| Hayward | 83 | N/A | 0.0% | $30,900 |
| Deering | 74 | $65,227 | 4.0% | $62,300 |
| Homestown | 64 | $26,042 | 45.3% | $9,999 |
Cities Similar to Wardell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheldon | 443 | $41,848 | $67,500 | 11.0% | 37.0% |
| Urbana | 441 | $38,750 | $83,000 | 10.3% | 30.7% |
| Keytesville | 435 | $40,682 | $86,300 | 21.6% | 12.6% |
| Asbury | 459 | N/A | $117,500 | 21.7% | 4.8% |
| Madison | 446 | $44,583 | $83,800 | 11.1% | 20.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 445, Wardell'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
Wardell is a small community located in Missouri, within Pemiscot County. The total population is 445. It ranks as the 543rd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wardell is 54.6 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. 14.6% 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 Wardell is $40,250. This is 43% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 42.9%. This is 241% 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 0.7%. This is 83% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $54,300. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Wardell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wardell has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.6% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) 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
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 80.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wardell, 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 Wardell, Missouri?
Wardell, Missouri has a population of 445 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wardell, MO?
The median household income in Wardell is $40,250, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wardell, MO?
The poverty rate in Wardell is 42.9%. This means approximately 191 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wardell, Missouri?
Wardell's population is 87.6% White, 1.1% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wardell, MO?
The median home value in Wardell is $54,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Wardell, Missouri?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Wardell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.