Waverly, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waverly, Missouri had a total population of 901, the 393rd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $47,969, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Waverly Quick Facts
How Waverly 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 | 854 | 901 | +5.5% |
| Median household income | $48,000 | $47,969 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $107,500 | $117,700 | +9.5% |
How Waverly 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+)
Waverly Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Lafayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa | 5,620 | $100,022 | 6.1% | $238,200 |
| Higginsville | 4,781 | $81,033 | 6.8% | $166,100 |
| Lexington | 4,606 | $56,905 | 17.0% | $161,300 |
| Concordia | 2,332 | $59,068 | 15.5% | $166,500 |
| Alma | 450 | $68,750 | 9.6% | $155,000 |
| Corder | 442 | $91,250 | 12.4% | $83,100 |
| Wellington | 432 | $67,045 | 13.7% | $144,200 |
| Mayview | 301 | $116,250 | 10.6% | $113,000 |
| Emma | 270 | $81,667 | 3.0% | $124,300 |
| Blackburn | 240 | $82,500 | 7.5% | $117,600 |
Cities Similar to Waverly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seligman | 941 | $47,798 | $93,800 | 4.4% | 25.2% |
| Country Club Hills | 854 | $47,519 | $49,200 | 10.5% | 10.4% |
| Puxico | 846 | $47,500 | $89,500 | 14.0% | 18.0% |
| Billings | 844 | $47,344 | $174,700 | 13.8% | 20.3% |
| Clarkton | 958 | $46,333 | $47,000 | 4.6% | 31.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 901, Waverly'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
Waverly is a small community located in Missouri, within Lafayette County. The total population is 901. It ranks as the 393rd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waverly is 34.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 39.0 years. With 32.7% of the population under 18, Waverly has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waverly is $47,969. This is 32% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 22% lower 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 $117,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $230,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Waverly is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 54.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waverly is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.1%.
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waverly, 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 Waverly, Missouri?
Waverly, Missouri has a population of 901 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waverly, MO?
The median household income in Waverly is $47,969, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waverly, MO?
The poverty rate in Waverly is 9.8%. This means approximately 82 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waverly, Missouri?
Waverly's population is 77.3% White, 5.9% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waverly, MO?
The median home value in Waverly is $117,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Waverly, Missouri?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Waverly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.