Wayland, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wayland, Missouri had a total population of 439, the 549th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $22,455, which is 68% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 68% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 2.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Wayland Quick Facts
How Wayland 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 | 489 | 439 | -10.2% |
How Wayland 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+)
Wayland Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Clark County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahoka | 2,072 | $48,370 | 11.0% | $100,000 |
| Wyaconda | 195 | $50,667 | 39.5% | $65,400 |
| Luray | 181 | $57,321 | 33.7% | $61,700 |
| St. Francisville | 142 | N/A | 47.9% | $64,200 |
| Medill | 104 | $152,857 | 0.0% | $228,600 |
| Alexandria | 103 | $33,333 | 58.3% | $43,500 |
| Revere | 47 | $56,250 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Wayland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asbury | 459 | N/A | $117,500 | 21.7% | 4.8% |
| Bent Tree Harbor | 391 | N/A | $102,800 | 0.0% | 29.2% |
| Bell City | 496 | N/A | $47,500 | 10.4% | 36.7% |
| Cross Timbers | 379 | N/A | $176,800 | 6.1% | 20.1% |
| Annapolis | 427 | $28,750 | $107,400 | 9.7% | 59.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 439, Wayland'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
Wayland is a small community located in Missouri, within Clark County. The total population is 439. It ranks as the 549th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wayland is 50.8 years. This is 30% higher than the state median of 39.0 years. Only 5.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 25.7% 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 Wayland is $22,455. This is 68% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 72% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Wayland, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 83.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wayland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 5.2%.
Education
2.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 92% 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wayland, 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 Wayland, Missouri?
Wayland, Missouri has a population of 439 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wayland, MO?
The median household income in Wayland is $22,455, which is 72% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wayland, MO?
The poverty rate in Wayland is 11.4%. This means approximately 50 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wayland, Missouri?
Wayland's population is 98.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wayland, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Wayland — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Wayland, Missouri?
2.4% of adults (25+) in Wayland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.