City · Missouri
Dexter, Missouri
Dexter, city, in Stoddard County, Missouri. Dexter had 7,851 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.3% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,927 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,891 (±23). GEOID 2919396.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,851
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,927 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,891 ±23
Median household income
$51,701
±$4,954 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$137,200
±$12,371 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$765
±$68 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
Where is Dexter and what county is it in?
Dexter is a city in Stoddard County, Missouri. It covers 7.2 square miles of land, 1,100 residents per square mile in 2020.
Dexter lies mostly within Liberty Township (Stoddard County), a township with its own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Dexter, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,851 people lived in Dexter on July 1, 2025, down 1.3% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. The 2020 Census counted 7,927 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,891 (±23).
| Measure | Dexter | Stoddard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,891 ±23 | 28,470 | no clear change |
| Households | 3,249 ±203 | 11,585 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.15 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,853 ±202 | 13,400 | no clear change |
Dexter's population since 2000
From 7,356 in 2000 to 7,851 in 2025: up 6.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Dexter as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Dexter?
The median resident of Dexter is 38.5 years old; 24.8% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.3%.
| Measure | Dexter | Stoddard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.5 ±4.3 | 42.0 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.8% ±3.4 pts | 22.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9% ±3.4 pts | 20.6% | – |
| Male | 48.7% ±2.6 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.3% ±1.6 pts | 2.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.7% ±3.3 pts | 92.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±2.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7% ±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.1% ±1.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.9% ±3.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| With a disability | 22.1% ±5.3 pts | 20.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.4% ±2.7 pts | 11.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.2% ±4.0 pts | 83.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.7% ±3.8 pts | 16.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9% ±3.0 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.7% ±4.6 pts | 87.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.3% ±2.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Dexter earn?
Half of Dexter's 3,249 households earn less than $51,701 a year (±$4,954), against $57,957 in Stoddard County and $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,752 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,949 after inflation. 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Dexter | Stoddard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,701 ±$4,954 | $57,957 | +$7,949 |
| Mean household income | $64,455 ±$5,715 | $72,528 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,079 ±$2,580 | $30,101 | +$4,954 |
| People below the poverty line | 17.0% ±6.0 pts | 15.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.5% ±13.4 pts | 17.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.5% ±6.1 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 87.5% ±5.9 pts | 91.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.1% ±6.0 pts | 86.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Dexter?
Owners occupy 60.0% of Dexter's occupied homes and renters 40.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $137,200 by its owner (±$12,371). The median renter pays $765 a month including utilities, and 14.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Dexter | Stoddard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $137,200 ±$12,371 | $143,300 | +$28,899 |
| Median gross rent | $765 ±$68 | $760 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 14.7% ±7.8 pts | 21.0% | −27.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,125 ±$29 | $1,110 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.0% ±6.1 pts | 71.8% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 40.0% ±6.1 pts | 28.2% | – |
| Housing units | 3,853 ±202 | 13,400 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.2% ±6.7 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.0% ±5.7 pts | 80.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% ±2.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.9% ±2.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.6% ±3.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.1% ±2.1 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Dexter building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units in Dexter in 2025 (5 in single-family houses), 0.9 per 1,000 residents against 2.8 across Missouri.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Dexter work and get to work?
88.9% of Dexter's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes.
| Measure | Dexter | Stoddard County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.7% ±4.4 pts | 56.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4% ±2.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 88.9% ±5.0 pts | 87.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.3% ±3.6 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.8% ±3.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min ±2.8 | 23.1 min | +7.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Dexter?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Dexter, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $47,446 (Tract 4705) to $56,719 (Tract 4706).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4706Stoddard County | 5,129 | $56,719 |
| Tract 4705Stoddard County | 3,550 | $47,446 |
| Tract 4703Stoddard County | 4,392 | $62,852 |
| Tract 4708Stoddard County | 2,888 | $78,333 |
| Tract 4704Stoddard County | 2,651 | $61,471 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Dexter) · Census block assignment files
How does Dexter compare with other places in Missouri?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Dexter is the 3,789th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 102nd-most populous of 936 in Missouri.
Dexter ranks 278th of 416 places in Missouri with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 102nd | 936 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 280th | 394 |
| Residents per square mile | 188th | 420 |
| Median household income | 278th | 416 |
| Per capita income | 280th | 420 |
| Median home value | 262nd | 416 |
| Median gross rent | 269th | 398 |
| Poverty rate | 166th | 373 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 250th | 404 |
| Median age | 213th | 420 |
| Owner-occupied share | 290th | 418 |
| Travel time to work | 253rd | 420 |
Dexter's figures with every place in Missouri (CSV)
Every place in Missouri, sortable · Compare Dexter with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Dexter?
17 of the 57 figures for Dexter on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Dexter are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Dexter.