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CITY

Van Buren

Missouri · 792 residents (2025 est.) · 1.999 sq mi
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The short version

Van Buren has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $20,560. Population has grown 37% 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 $103,400. The poverty rate of 44.4% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 41.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% 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
1,161
+37%since 2000
from 845 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
581 / sq mi
+37%since 2000
from 423 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
41.2
−7%since 2000
from 44.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:792 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5957809661K1K1990201020202024Van Buren
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$20,560
−43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,766 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,155
+24%since 2000
from $13,061 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
9.8%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
44.4%
+19.4 ptssince 2000
from 25.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.502
+27%since 2010
from 0.396 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information19.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade8.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$103,400
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$313
−46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $316 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
42.3%
−22.8 ptssince 2000
from 65.1% in 2000
57.7% rent
Vacancy rate
20.6%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
46.8%
+35.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.5%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.0
+87%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
28
RELATED:See current rent listings in Van Buren on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(813)
Black0.4%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(11)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.2%(35)
2024
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(1,135)
Black0.2%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.9%(22)
Diversity Score5.5%(64)
Diversity Score
5
+32%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
9.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
80.7%
+14.2 ptssince 2000
from 66.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.4%
−2.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.6 min
+4%since 2000
from 16.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
59.9%
−18.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
17.5%
+15.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.6%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
18.1%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
37.4%
+24.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.2%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
44.7%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 46.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
0.9%
−16.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
13.8%
−52.4 ptssince 2009
from 66.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.5%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
54.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.1%
−36.9 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
46.7%
+21.9 ptssince 2012
from 24.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
7.0%
−73.0 ptssince 2013
from 80.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.9%
+14.4 ptssince 2017
from 68.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2016
from 97.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2016
from 1.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Van Buren, Missouri?

Van Buren, Missouri has about 1,161 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Van Buren, Missouri?

The typical household in Van Buren, Missouri earns about $20,560 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Van Buren, Missouri expensive?

In Van Buren, Missouri, the median home is worth about $103,400, and the typical rent is about $313 a month.

How educated are people in Van Buren, Missouri?

About 9.6% of adults age 25 and over in Van Buren, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Van Buren, Missouri?

About 44.4% of people in Van Buren, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Van Buren, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Van Buren, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 261 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Van Buren, Missouri: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy