City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Licking, MO

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

2,816
Residents
$32,813
Median income
$109,000
Median home
$888
Median rent (state)

Licking - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Licking places in the 3rd percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

3rd
percentile, household income
13th
percentile, home value
4th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Licking, MO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 2,816 residents in Licking, a small town within Missouri. The typical household in Licking brings in $32,813 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 25.1%. Licking's housing stock carries a median value of $109,000, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. Educational attainment runs 6.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 26.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 55.3°F with 46.5 inches of precipitation per year and 11.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Missouri scores 90.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $888 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $219 across Missouri, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 62.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

2,816 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$32,813 /yr

Poverty 25.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Licking compare to other US cities?

Here's how Licking stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 13% pricier than other cities
Median rent 4% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Licking's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Missouri, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

3rdIncome percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Licking's home value compares nationally

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

$109,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 87% 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%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Licking $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 - Licking, MO Licking, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Licking, 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 Licking, MO median $32,813/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%
Licking, 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 Licking, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 6.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 26.8%

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

Population
2,816
Median Income
$32,813
Median Home Value
$109,000
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
25.1%
Labor force participation
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
6.6%

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
46.5"
Annual Snowfall
11.0"

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 →
2,600 residents2,700 residents2,800 residents2,900 residents3,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,710 residents 2,958 residents ▲ +9.2%
Licking's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
64.4%
Carpool
23.5%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
9.0%

Based on 621 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 Licking sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$888/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
62.4 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Montgomery City
2,810 people
Knob Noster
2,824 people
Moline Acres
2,806 people
Fayette
2,800 people
Owensville
2,798 people
Castle Point
2,792 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Licking's 2,816 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Decherd, TN
2,816 people
Lake Success, NY
2,817 people
Heyworth, IL
2,818 people
Federalsburg, MD
2,818 people
Poplarville, MS
2,814 people
Murfreesboro, NC
2,814 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Licking's $32,813 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Walnut Grove, MS
$32,813 median income
Causey, NM
$32,813 median income
Binford, ND
$32,813 median income
Sabinal, TX
$32,800 median income
Abbeville, AL
$32,778 median income
Ellisville, MS
$32,853 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Licking, 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 Licking, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.5% 17.0% 6.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.9% White 76.5% Black or African American 17.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 6.0% 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 Licking 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
Licking (this city) 2,816 $32,813
Montgomery City 2,810 $51,707
Knob Noster 2,824 $60,294
Moline Acres 2,806 $55,069
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Licking, MO?

What is the population of Licking, MO? +

The population of Licking, MO stands at 2,816 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Licking runs $32,813, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Licking? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Licking; 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.

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

Homes in Licking carry a median value of $109,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Licking? +

The average annual temperature in Licking runs 55.3°F, 46.5 inches of precipitation, and 11.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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 Editorial

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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.