Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Jefferson City, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

42,488

Median Agei

38.9

Race & Ethnicityi

White

71.4%30,343

Black

16%6,778

Two or More

4.9%2,067

Hispanic/Latino

4%1,683

Asian

2.4%1,026

Other

1.1%477

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%109

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.8%1,701

High School Diploma

23.4%6,901

Some College (<1 yr)

5%1,491

Some College (1+ yr)

11.9%3,505

Associate's Degree

8.1%2,385

Bachelor's Degree

23.5%6,954

Master's Degree

11.1%3,272

Professional Degree

2.9%856

Doctorate

1.2%353

HS or Higher

92.8%

BA or Higher

38.7%

Graduate+

15.2%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$218,700

Median Renti

$802

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

59.2%10,378

Renter-Occupied

40.8%7,151

Total Units

19,354

Homeownership

59.2%

Vacancy Rate

9.4%

Home Values

Under $50K

2.4%253

$50K–$100K

5.6%580

$100K–$150K

13.1%1,356

$150K–$200K

20.3%2,104

$200K–$300K

34.8%3,612

$300K–$500K

19%1,967

$500K–$1M

4.2%432

$1M+

0.7%74

Rent Distribution

Under $500

705

$500–$750

2,396

$750–$1,000

1,941

$1,000–$1,250

923

$1,250–$1,500

529

$1,500–$2,000

313

$2,000+

132

Year Built

2020 or later

0.3%57

2010–2019

6.2%1,191

2000–2009

13.5%2,616

1990–1999

13.1%2,544

1980–1989

13.6%2,625

1970–1979

15.7%3,045

1960–1969

13.6%2,629

1950–1959

9.3%1,791

1940–1949

3.6%701

1939 or earlier

11.1%2,155

Heating Fuel

Electricity

58.5%10,252

Utility Gas

39.7%6,957

Bottled/LP Gas

1.1%195

No Fuel

0.5%92

Wood

0.2%29

Solar

0%4

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$66,371

Mean Household Incomei

$88,207

Per Capita Incomei

$37,220

Poverty Ratei

10.9%

Unemploymenti

3.2%

Labor Forcei

21,534

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

5.7%994

$10K–$15K

3.3%573

$15K–$20K

4.8%848

$20K–$25K

4.3%753

$25K–$30K

4%705

$30K–$35K

3.5%609

$35K–$40K

4.2%738

$40K–$45K

3.7%647

$45K–$50K

2.7%481

$50K–$60K

7.3%1,283

$60K–$75K

11.4%1,999

$75K–$100K

11.8%2,067

$100K–$125K

10.8%1,900

$125K–$150K

5.8%1,022

$150K–$200K

8.6%1,510

$200K+

8%1,400

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

1,258

Residentsi

1,715

Avg. Tenant Renti

$339/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

19 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing315 homes87% occupied$295/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers497 homes61% occupied$364/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8409 homes86% occupied$343/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

811/PRAC37 homes87% occupied$329/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $66,371/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $20K/yr

84.9%

Very low income$20K–$33K/yr

13.1%

Low income$33K–$53K/yr

1.7%

Moderate / aboveOver $53K/yr

0.3%

Who Receives This Housing

72.9% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

46.8% of subsidized households are minority

33.9% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

32.7% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,6984%

By Region

Top Countries

India

303

Mexico

193

Philippines

Germany

Korea

Guatemala

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

20,699

Avg. Commutei

15.5 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

20,821

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

2,144(6.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

92%Insured

8%Uninsured