City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Merriam Woods, MO

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

2,203
Residents
$50,000
Median income
$111,800
Median home
$1,029
Median rent (state)

Merriam Woods - the verdict

Nationally, Merriam Woods sits in the 19th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

19th
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
22nd
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: Merriam Woods, MO

Missouri's Merriam Woods is a small town, with 2,203 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Merriam Woods brings in $50,000 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.9%. Merriam Woods's housing stock carries a median value of $111,800, and the median resident age is 34.0 years. Educational attainment runs 10.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 22 residential building permits were authorized in Merriam Woods (Building Boom), up 214% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,029 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $219 across Missouri, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Merriam Woods workers runs 22.3 minutes, with 69.8% driving alone and 3.4% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 84.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

2,203 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$50,000 /yr

Poverty 18.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Merriam Woods compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 19% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% 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

Each percentile compares Merriam Woods 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 places Merriam Woods toward the top of Missouri's cities

Among the 875 Missouri cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Merriam Woods ranks #184 - the 79th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Merriam Woods only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#497 of 842
41st percentile in Missouri
Median Gross Rent
#341 of 875
60th percentile in Missouri
Median Home Value
#462 of 833
45th percentile in Missouri
Poverty Rate
#184 of 875
79th percentile in Missouri
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#628 of 875
28th 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.

19thIncome percentile

19th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Merriam Woods's home value compares nationally

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

$111,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% 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. Merriam Woods $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 - Merriam Woods, MO Merriam Woods, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Merriam Woods, 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 Merriam Woods, MO median $50,000/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%
Merriam Woods, 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 Merriam Woods, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 10.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.5%

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

Population
2,203
Median Income
$50,000
Median Home Value
$111,800
Median Age
34.0
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Labor force participation
56.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
10.3%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,950 residents2,000 residents2,050 residents2,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,999 residents 2,084 residents ▲ +4.3%
Merriam Woods's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
22
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 7
2020 0
2021 5
2022 18
2023 18
2024 22

Permit volume increased 214% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
22.3 minutes
Drive Alone
69.8%
Carpool
21.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
3.4%
Other
3.8%

Based on 906 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 Merriam Woods sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,029/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
84.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Duquesne
2,216 people
Doniphan
2,220 people
Concordia
2,184 people
Richland
2,256 people
Hayti
2,145 people
Slater
2,144 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Merriam Woods's 2,203 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Spooner, WI
2,203 people
Many, LA
2,202 people
Pulaski, NY
2,202 people
Winters, TX
2,202 people
Burnt Store Marina, FL
2,201 people
Lebanon Junction, KY
2,201 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Merriam Woods's $50,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Paint Rock, AL
$50,000 median income
Woodville, AL
$50,000 median income
Adak, AK
$50,000 median income
Calhan, CO
$50,000 median income
Baldwin, IL
$50,000 median income
Kingston Mines, IL
$50,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Merriam Woods, 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 Merriam Woods, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.0% 10.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.3% White 87.0% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.0% Two or more races 10.8% 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 Merriam Woods 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
Merriam Woods (this city) 2,203 $50,000
Duquesne 2,216 $52,372
Doniphan 2,220 $43,309
Concordia 2,184 $56,192
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Merriam Woods, MO?

What is the population of Merriam Woods, MO? +

Merriam Woods, MO has a population of 2,203 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Merriam Woods, MO? +

The median household income in Merriam Woods is $50,000 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Merriam Woods? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Merriam Woods; 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 Merriam Woods, MO? +

The median home value in Merriam Woods is $111,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.