Waynesville city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Waynesville city is a small city located in Missouri. The total population is 5,422. It ranks as the 138th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Waynesville city is 34.1 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.0% 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 Waynesville city is $75,179. This is 9% higher than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.9%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 116% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $204,100. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Waynesville city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Waynesville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.7%.

Education

36.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.6%. Notably, 15.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Waynesville city, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.