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.

Waynesville, MO Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

5,442

Median Agei

32.4

Race & Ethnicityi

White

73.7%4,009

Hispanic/Latino

12.5%678

Two or More

5.6%304

Black

4.8%259

Asian

2.9%159

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.6%33

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

5.2%191

High School Diploma

23.2%854

Some College (<1 yr)

4.4%162

Some College (1+ yr)

16.6%611

Associate's Degree

14.3%526

Bachelor's Degree

18.2%671

Master's Degree

10.4%382

Professional Degree

3.4%126

HS or Higher

95.8%

BA or Higher

32%

Graduate+

13.8%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$200,000

Median Renti

$1,152

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

62.9%1,384

Renter-Occupied

37.1%817

Total Units

2,420

Homeownership

62.9%

Vacancy Rate

Home Values

Under $50K

15.1%209

$50K–$100K

4.5%62

$100K–$150K

10.4%144

$150K–$200K

20%277

$200K–$300K

34.5%477

$300K–$500K

14.3%198

$500K–$1M

1.2%17

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

174

$750–$1,000

$1,000–$1,250

162

$1,250–$1,500

$1,500–$2,000

250

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%18

2010–2019

13.6%330

2000–2009

20.5%495

1990–1999

6.9%166

1980–1989

17.1%413

1970–1979

15.9%385

1960–1969

8.8%212

1950–1959

10.4%252

1940–1949

2%49

1939 or earlier

4.1%100

Heating Fuel

Electricity

65.9%1,451

Utility Gas

19.1%420

Bottled/LP Gas

15%330

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$56,836

Mean Household Incomei

$71,223

Per Capita Incomei

$30,367

Poverty Ratei

15%

Unemploymenti

4.4%

Labor Forcei

2,707

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

1.1%25

$10K–$15K

8.9%196

$15K–$20K

3.8%83

$20K–$25K

6.2%137

$30K–$35K

5.8%127

$35K–$40K

10.2%225

$40K–$45K

1.5%34

$45K–$50K

7.9%173

$50K–$60K

5.7%126

$60K–$75K

4.1%90

$75K–$100K

12.8%282

$100K–$125K

24.4%538

$125K–$150K

1.7%38

$150K–$200K

4.4%97

$200K+

1.4%30

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

Residentsi

Avg. Tenant Renti

$371/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

26 months

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers66 homes79% occupied$371/mo rent

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

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $56,836/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $17K/yr

86%

Very low income$17K–$28K/yr

12%

Low income$28K–$45K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

76% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

27% of subsidized households are minority

45% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

53% 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

2995.5%

By Region

Top Countries

Korea

Germany

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

2,558

Avg. Commutei

19.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

2,213

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,064(29.2% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

98%Insured

2%Uninsured