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CITY

Wellston

Missouri · 1,580 residents (2025 est.) · 0.932 sq mi
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The short version

Wellston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $44,957. Population has fallen 34% since 2000, a loss of 832 residents. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. With a median age of 48.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 35.4% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 48.1
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Renter-heavy
49% owner-occupied
US average: 65%
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,628
−34%since 2000
from 2,460 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,747 / sq mi
−34%since 2000
from 2,639 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
48.1
+80%since 2000
from 26.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,580 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K3K3K4K1990201020202024Wellston
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,957
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,596 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,967
+190%since 2000
from $8,262 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
21.4%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
35.4%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 39.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.419
−16%since 2010
from 0.498 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Transportation & warehousing12.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7%
US avg: 5.1%
Information5.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade1.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median gross rent
$1,005
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $397 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
49.3%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 48.3% in 2000
50.7% rent
Vacancy rate
29.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 28.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.3%
−15.3 ptssince 2009
from 32.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
41.0%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wellston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic6.3%(155)
Black91.3%(2,245)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(26)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.8%(438)
2024
White, non-Hispanic1.7%(28)
Black96.5%(1,571)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0.9%(15)
Other0.9%(14)
Diversity Score8.5%(139)
Diversity Score
9
−52%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.7%
+28.8 ptssince 2000
from 60.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.4%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 1.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.4 min
+9%since 2000
from 18.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.5%
+18.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.7%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
16.4%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 25.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.9% 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
20.5%
−15.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.1%
−9.6 ptssince 2011
from 21.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2011
from 60.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.5%
+15.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
49.2%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 57.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
Female
56.0%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.4%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2012
from 10.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.8%
−64.4 ptssince 2013
from 73.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
63.4%
+21.8 ptssince 2017
from 41.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 95.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Wellston to nearby cities

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WELLSTON VS
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WELLSTON VS
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WELLSTON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wellston, Missouri?

Wellston, Missouri has about 1,628 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wellston, Missouri?

The typical household in Wellston, Missouri earns about $44,957 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wellston, Missouri expensive?

In Wellston, Missouri, the typical rent is about $1,005 a month.

How educated are people in Wellston, Missouri?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wellston, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wellston, Missouri?

About 35.4% of people in Wellston, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wellston, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Wellston, Missouri has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,984 residents, a change of about -55 percent over that period.

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

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