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CITY

Charleston

Missouri · 4,731 residents (2025 est.) · 4.796 sq mi
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The short version

Charleston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $33,952. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $123,700. The poverty rate of 25.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 52% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,482
−5%since 2000
from 4,732 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
935 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 987 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.8
+18%since 2000
from 35.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,731 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Charleston
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,952
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,812 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,300
+34%since 2000
from $12,876 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.2%
+17.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.8%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 26.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.474
−6%since 2010
from 0.504 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing10%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction10%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade9.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing4.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$123,700
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$774
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $308 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
50.0%
−9.7 ptssince 2000
from 59.7% in 2000
50.0% rent
Vacancy rate
16.4%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
7.3%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.1%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.6
+57%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Charleston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic52.7%(2,493)
Black45.1%(2,136)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(52)
Asian0.3%(13)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.8%(3,021)
2024
White, non-Hispanic43.3%(1,940)
Black45.2%(2,028)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(36)
Asian1.4%(62)
Other9.3%(416)
Diversity Score74.9%(3,356)
Diversity Score
75
+17%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
83.5%
+17.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.0 min
+54%since 2000
from 11.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.8%
+9.3 ptssince 2009
from 70.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.9%
−9.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.6%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 26.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−14.4 ptssince 2011
from 19.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
36.7%
−20.3 ptssince 2011
from 57.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.0%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.6%
−45.5 ptssince 2009
from 68.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
58.5%
+12.9 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
Female
41.5%
−12.9 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.1%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.9%
−4.1 ptssince 2012
from 24.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.3%
−65.9 ptssince 2013
from 74.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.4%
+33.6 ptssince 2017
from 60.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Charleston to nearby cities

CHARLESTON VS
Sikeston
Income$58,915+74%
Home value$168,800+36%
Population15,983+238%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Cape Girardeau
Income$55,658+64%
Home value$196,300+59%
Population40,977+766%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Jackson
Income$77,105+127%
Home value$240,000+94%
Population16,033+239%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHARLESTON VS
Union City
Income$50,870+50%
Home value$146,000+18%
Population10,814+129%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Charleston, Missouri?

Charleston, Missouri has about 4,482 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Charleston, Missouri?

The typical household in Charleston, Missouri earns about $33,952 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Charleston, Missouri expensive?

In Charleston, Missouri, the median home is worth about $123,700, and the typical rent is about $774 a month.

How educated are people in Charleston, Missouri?

About 9.9% of adults age 25 and over in Charleston, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Charleston, Missouri?

About 25.8% of people in Charleston, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Charleston, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Charleston, Missouri has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 603 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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