Waynesville, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waynesville, Missouri had a total population of 5,442, the 137th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $56,836, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Waynesville Quick Facts
How Waynesville 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 | 5,422 | 5,442 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $75,179 | $56,836 | -24.4% |
| Median home value | $204,100 | $200,000 | -2.0% |
How Waynesville 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waynesville Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Pulaski County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Leonard Wood | 15,432 | $67,772 | 7.2% | N/A |
| St. Robert | 5,356 | $62,641 | 19.2% | $225,300 |
| Richland | 2,136 | $34,268 | 25.9% | $76,100 |
| Dixon | 1,334 | $49,904 | 22.2% | $134,200 |
| Crocker | 1,024 | $58,207 | 21.9% | $101,600 |
Cities Similar to Waynesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon | 5,466 | $61,642 | $151,800 | 22.4% | 10.5% |
| St. Robert | 5,356 | $62,641 | $225,300 | 32.8% | 19.2% |
| Trenton | 5,536 | $50,015 | $99,500 | 18.2% | 18.1% |
| Osage Beach | 4,905 | $55,994 | $355,200 | 25.6% | 12.8% |
| Richmond | 5,959 | $59,556 | $142,600 | 13.2% | 16.3% |
Population Overview
Waynesville is a small city located in Missouri, within Pulaski County. The total population is 5,442. It ranks as the 137th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waynesville is 32.4 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waynesville is $56,836. This is 20% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 31% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $200,000. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 62.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waynesville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.5%. The Black or African American population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 10.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.5% vs 5.2%).
Education
32.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 1% 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 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waynesville, 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 Waynesville, Missouri?
Waynesville, Missouri has a population of 5,442 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waynesville, MO?
The median household income in Waynesville is $56,836, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waynesville, MO?
The poverty rate in Waynesville is 16.5%. This means approximately 818 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waynesville, Missouri?
Waynesville's population is 73.7% White, 4.8% Black, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waynesville, MO?
The median home value in Waynesville is $200,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Waynesville, Missouri?
32.0% of adults (25+) in Waynesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.