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CITY

Licking

Missouri · 2,958 residents (2025 est.) · 2.131 sq mi
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The short version

Licking has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $35,652. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 94% since 2000. 6% 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 $116,900. The poverty rate of 37.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 50% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 37.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,858
+94%since 2000
from 1,471 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,341 / sq mi
+94%since 2000
from 690 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.9
−8%since 2000
from 41.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,958 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K4K1990201020202024Licking
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$35,652
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $17,576 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$13,520
+6%since 2000
from $12,802 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
17.1%
+10.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
37.5%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 25.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.439
−3%since 2010
from 0.453 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,900
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$657
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $328 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
52.8%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 56.3% in 2000
47.2% rent
Vacancy rate
11.6%
−7.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.0%
−13.0 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.4%
+23.7 ptssince 2009
from 39.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.3
+11%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
33
RELATED:See current rent listings in Licking on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(1,412)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(25)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.4%(65)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.7%(2,221)
Black15.6%(446)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(78)
Asian0%(0)
Other4%(113)
Diversity Score46.2%(1,320)
Diversity Score
46
+940%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
5.7%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.9%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 67.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+9%since 2000
from 16.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.3%
−12.3 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.6%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.5%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% 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
6.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
20.4%
+11.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
29.8%
+5.7 ptssince 2011
from 24.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.5%
−27.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
67.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 68.1% in 2009
Female
32.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 31.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.3%
−64.6 ptssince 2009
from 72.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
−5.6 ptssince 2012
from 22.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
16.7%
−64.9 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.2%
+23.4 ptssince 2017
from 56.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2016
from 96.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2016
from 1.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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LICKING VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Licking, Missouri?

Licking, Missouri has about 2,858 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Licking, Missouri?

The typical household in Licking, Missouri earns about $35,652 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Licking, Missouri expensive?

In Licking, Missouri, the median home is worth about $116,900, and the typical rent is about $657 a month.

How educated are people in Licking, Missouri?

About 5.7% of adults age 25 and over in Licking, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Licking, Missouri?

About 37.5% of people in Licking, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Licking, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Licking, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,530 residents, a change of about 115 percent over that period.

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

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