City · Missouri
Noel, Missouri
Noel, city, in McDonald County, Missouri. Noel had 2,181 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,124 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,913 (±375). GEOID 2952742.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,181
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,124 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,913 ±375
Median household income
$41,483
±$6,590 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$122,400
±$20,573 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$641
±$156 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
Where is Noel and what county is it in?
Noel is a city in McDonald County, Missouri. It covers 2.0 square miles of land, 1,049 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Noel, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,181 people lived in Noel on July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, faster than Missouri (+1.9%). The 2020 Census counted 2,124 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,913 (±375).
| Measure | Noel | McDonald County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,913 ±375 | 23,701 | no clear change |
| Households | 647 ±137 | 8,558 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.96 ±0.38 | 2.75 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 757 ±155 | 9,828 | no clear change |
Noel's population since 2000
From 1,480 in 2000 to 2,181 in 2025: up 47.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Noel 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 Noel?
The median resident of Noel is 28.1 years old; 34.9% are under 18 and 7.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 38.1%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 26.3%. 34.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Noel | McDonald County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.1 ±5.2 | 38.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 34.9% ±4.9 pts | 25.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 7.8% ±3.3 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Male | 49.6% ±5.6 pts | 51.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 38.1% ±9.3 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 26.3% ±8.4 pts | 68.3% | −15.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 22.6% ±8.1 pts | 2.0% | +10.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 7.3% ±6.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2% ±5.5 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 34.5% ±6.2 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 56.7% ±10.8 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.0% ±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 10.2% ±3.9 pts | 15.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.4% ±4.9 pts | 18.4% | −11.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 66.7% ±9.9 pts | 82.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.8% ±8.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.9% ±2.4 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.6% ±5.7 pts | 91.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1% ±1.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
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 Noel earn?
Half of Noel's 647 households earn less than $41,483 a year (±$6,590), against $52,375 in McDonald County and $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 the median was $31,810 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,673 after inflation. 27.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Noel | McDonald County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,483 ±$6,590 | $52,375 | +$9,673 |
| Mean household income | $52,628 ±$8,035 | $69,959 | – |
| Per capita income | $17,784 ±$2,457 | $25,422 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 27.2% ±10.0 pts | 16.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.0% ±19.8 pts | 21.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.1% ±10.3 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 81.3% ±9.2 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 75.7% ±9.2 pts | 78.9% | – |
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 Noel?
Owners occupy 30.9% of Noel's occupied homes and renters 69.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $122,400 by its owner (±$20,573). The median renter pays $641 a month including utilities, and 14.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Noel | McDonald County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $122,400 ±$20,573 | $154,700 | +$36,990 |
| Median gross rent | $641 ±$156 | $767 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 14.5% ±8.8 pts | 28.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,134 ±$76 | $1,167 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 30.9% ±7.9 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 69.1% ±7.9 pts | 32.7% | – |
| Housing units | 757 ±155 | 9,828 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±16.0 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5% ±4.5 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.5% ±9.5 pts | 60.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.0% ±2.6 pts | 27.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±4.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.8% ±6.8 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.6% ±5.6 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.7% ±5.8 pts | 5.8% | – |
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 Noel building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units in Noel in 2025 (2 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 Noel work and get to work?
71.6% of Noel's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 16.6 minutes.
| Measure | Noel | McDonald County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.3% ±6.7 pts | 56.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.6% ±6.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 71.6% ±11.3 pts | 74.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 26.3% ±10.9 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±4.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±4.6 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 0.8% ±1.1 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.6 min ±3.1 | 27.1 min | no clear change |
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 Noel?
No census tract lies mostly in Noel; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 703McDonald County | 6,380 | $51,378 |
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 Noel) · Census block assignment files
How does Noel compare with other places in Missouri?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Noel is the 7,385th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 230th-most populous of 936 in Missouri.
Noel ranks 370th 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 | 230th | 936 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 156th | 394 |
| Residents per square mile | 209th | 420 |
| Median household income | 370th | 416 |
| Per capita income | 407th | 420 |
| Median home value | 300th | 416 |
| Median gross rent | 352nd | 398 |
| Poverty rate | 43rd | 373 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 303rd | 404 |
| Median age | 406th | 420 |
| Owner-occupied share | 415th | 418 |
| Travel time to work | 377th | 420 |
Noel's figures with every place in Missouri (CSV)
Every place in Missouri, sortable · Compare Noel 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 Noel?
18 of the 57 figures for Noel 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 Noel 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 Noel.