City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Berkeley, MO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Berkeley - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

8,149
Residents
$40,654
Median income
$80,000
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

Berkeley - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Berkeley lands in the 8th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

8th
percentile, household income
4th
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
1st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Berkeley, MO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 8,149 residents in Berkeley, a small town within Missouri. The typical household in Berkeley brings in $40,654 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 31.9%. Typical homes in Berkeley are valued around $80,000, and the median resident age is 28.4 years. About 15.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Berkeley (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Berkeley's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 9008.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: the state registers 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,218 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Missouri's average monthly utility costs around $219 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 98.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

8,149 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$40,654 /yr

Poverty 31.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Berkeley compare to other US cities?

Where Berkeley sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 4% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Missouri, Berkeley ranks #232 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Berkeley against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Missouri only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Missouri-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is Berkeley's strongest outlier among Missouri cities

Among the 875 Missouri cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Berkeley ranks #61 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Berkeley only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#683 of 842
19th percentile in Missouri
Median Gross Rent
#108 of 875
69th percentile in Missouri
Median Home Value
#640 of 833
22nd percentile in Missouri
Poverty Rate
#61 of 875
93rd percentile in Missouri
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#448 of 875
48th percentile in Missouri

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Missouri only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

8thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Berkeley's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Berkeley's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
Berkeley's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Berkeley's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$80,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 96% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Berkeley $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Berkeley, MO Berkeley, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Berkeley, MO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Berkeley, MO median $40,654/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Berkeley, MO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Berkeley, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 31.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
8,149
Median Income
$40,654
Median Home Value
$80,000
Median Age
28.4
Poverty Rate
31.9%
Labor force participation
64.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
9008.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
2534.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
6474.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,000 residents8,100 residents8,200 residents8,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,222 residents 8,026 residents ▼ -2.4%
Berkeley's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 33
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
58.3%
Carpool
20.1%
Public Transit
3.8%
Walk
0.3%
Work from Home
15.2%
Other
2.3%

Based on 3,557 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Missouri - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Missouri state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Berkeley sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,218/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Brentwood
8,151 people
Maplewood
8,154 people
Carl Junction
8,257 people
Parkville
8,022 people
Nevada
7,998 people
Dexter
7,906 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Berkeley's 8,149 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Camp Hill, PA
8,149 people
Ketchikan, AK
8,151 people
Tiverton, RI
8,151 people
Cuero, TX
8,147 people
Johnstown, NY
8,153 people
Southwood Acres, CT
8,154 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Berkeley's $40,654 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Salem, NJ
$40,650 median income
Tivoli, NY
$40,658 median income
Lightstreet, PA
$40,658 median income
Danforth, ME
$40,662 median income
Bayou La Batre, AL
$40,667 median income
Redkey, IN
$40,667 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Berkeley, MO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Berkeley, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 6.3% 85.0% 6.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.6% White 6.3% Black or African American 85.0% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.4% Two or more races 2.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Berkeley compares to nearby Missouri cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Berkeley (this city) 8,149 $40,654
Brentwood 8,151 $86,641
Maplewood 8,154 $65,510
Carl Junction 8,257 $77,855
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Berkeley, MO?

What is the population of Berkeley, MO? +

Berkeley, MO has a population of 8,149 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Berkeley, MO? +

Berkeley households earn a median of $40,654 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Berkeley? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Berkeley; the closest available measure is the Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is Berkeley, MO safe? +

Berkeley has a total crime rate of 9008.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Berkeley, MO? +

Homes in Berkeley carry a median value of $80,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.