Wellston, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wellston, Missouri had a total population of 1,628, the 304th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $44,957, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 35.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (35.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 12.1% is notably above the national average.
Wellston Quick Facts
How Wellston 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 | 1,690 | 1,628 | -3.7% |
| Median household income | $39,474 | $44,957 | +13.9% |
How Wellston 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+)
Wellston Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in St. Louis County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florissant | 51,773 | $65,318 | 10.1% | $148,800 |
| Chesterfield | 49,574 | $133,037 | 3.9% | $472,500 |
| Oakville | 35,333 | $106,362 | 6.4% | $318,600 |
| Wildwood | 35,133 | $161,060 | 2.2% | $495,800 |
| University City | 34,685 | $80,694 | 14.5% | $306,700 |
| Ballwin | 31,279 | $124,626 | 4.8% | $377,100 |
| Mehlville | 29,805 | $67,071 | 7.8% | $218,400 |
| Kirkwood | 29,363 | $121,270 | 5.3% | $451,400 |
| Maryland Heights | 27,880 | $86,436 | 4.7% | $227,000 |
| Hazelwood | 25,114 | $55,908 | 15.9% | $167,400 |
Cities Similar to Wellston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbina | 1,653 | $47,500 | $86,200 | 19.8% | 20.6% |
| Ironton | 1,692 | $46,750 | $120,000 | 28.4% | 14.5% |
| Sarcoxie | 1,574 | $41,705 | $94,100 | 4.9% | 25.4% |
| Gallatin | 1,740 | $47,198 | $137,500 | 19.4% | 19.8% |
| Bourbon | 1,636 | $53,533 | $136,800 | 15.3% | 20.6% |
Population Overview
Wellston is a small community located in Missouri, within St. Louis County. The total population is 1,628. It ranks as the 304th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wellston is 48.1 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wellston is $44,957. This is 36% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 35.4%. This is 182% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 12.1%. This is 201% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. 49.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wellston has a predominantly Black or African American population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 1.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 76.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (96.5% vs 10.9%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.
Education
12.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 89.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wellston, 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 Wellston, Missouri?
Wellston, Missouri has a population of 1,628 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wellston, MO?
The median household income in Wellston is $44,957, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wellston, MO?
The poverty rate in Wellston is 35.4%. This means approximately 577 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wellston, Missouri?
Wellston's population is 1.7% White, 96.5% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wellston, MO?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Wellston — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Wellston, Missouri?
12.5% of adults (25+) in Wellston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.