Wardsville, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wardsville, Missouri had a total population of 1,579, the 307th largest village in Missouri, with a median household income of $121,222, which is 71% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 71% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Missouri.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.5% — among the lowest in Missouri.
- 41.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Missouri.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Wardsville Quick Facts
How Wardsville 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 | 1,505 | 1,579 | +4.9% |
| Median household income | $117,500 | $121,222 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $309,900 | $329,500 | +6.3% |
How Wardsville 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+)
Wardsville Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Cole County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | 42,488 | $66,371 | 12.0% | $218,700 |
| Taos | 1,242 | $98,854 | 2.5% | $270,500 |
| St. Martins | 1,228 | $89,250 | 5.0% | $242,400 |
| Russellville | 833 | $56,750 | 5.3% | $166,500 |
| Centertown | 297 | $46,875 | 10.4% | $143,400 |
| Lohman | 243 | $89,167 | 11.9% | $218,800 |
| St. Thomas | 228 | $89,688 | 3.1% | $212,000 |
| Eugene | 158 | $58,846 | 17.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wardsville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 1,562 | $114,861 | $410,700 | 58.6% | 6.4% |
| Bel-Nor | 1,556 | $110,667 | $218,000 | 59.0% | 5.9% |
| Lone Jack | 1,412 | $121,389 | $330,100 | 36.4% | 5.5% |
| LaBarque Creek | 1,457 | $133,083 | $455,600 | 48.4% | 1.1% |
| Fremont Hills | 1,574 | $171,250 | $461,800 | 62.2% | 3.9% |
Population Overview
Wardsville is a small community located in Missouri, within Cole County. The total population is 1,579. It ranks as the 307th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wardsville is 36.2 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 33.0% of the population under 18, Wardsville has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wardsville is $121,222. This is 71% higher than the state median of $70,702. It is also 50% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.5%. This is 80% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $329,500. Housing costs are 43% higher than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Wardsville is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wardsville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.6% of all residents.
Education
41.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wardsville in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 29% higher 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wardsville, 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 Wardsville, Missouri?
Wardsville, Missouri has a population of 1,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wardsville, MO?
The median household income in Wardsville is $121,222, which is 50% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wardsville, MO?
The poverty rate in Wardsville is 2.5%. This means approximately 39 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wardsville, Missouri?
Wardsville's population is 96.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wardsville, MO?
The median home value in Wardsville is $329,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Wardsville, Missouri?
41.9% of adults (25+) in Wardsville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.