City · Missouri
Princeton, Missouri
Princeton, city, in Mercer County, Missouri. Princeton had 970 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,007 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,352 (±190). GEOID 2959942.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
970
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,007 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,352 ±190
Median household income
$58,558
±$14,672 (90% margin)
Missouri: $70,702
Median home value
$78,000
±$11,721 (90% margin)
Missouri: $230,300
Median gross rent
$547
±$211 (90% margin)
Missouri: $1,033
Where is Princeton and what county is it in?
Princeton is a city in Mercer County, Missouri. It covers 1.6 square miles of land, 634 residents per square mile in 2020.
Princeton lies entirely within Morgan Township, 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 Princeton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 970 people lived in Princeton on July 1, 2025, down 4.0% since 2020, while Missouri grew 1.9%. The 2020 Census counted 1,007 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,352 (±190).
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,352 ±190 | 3,482 | no clear change |
| Households | 507 ±76 | 1,302 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.55 ±0.32 | 2.62 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 628 ±85 | 1,902 | no clear change |
Princeton's population since 2000
From 1,047 in 2000 to 970 in 2025: down 7.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Princeton 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 Princeton?
The median resident of Princeton is 38.2 years old; 26.5% are under 18 and 13.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 82.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.8%. 7.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 ±3.8 | 42.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.5% ±5.4 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.4% ±3.2 pts | 22.3% | – |
| Male | 46.6% ±3.4 pts | 49.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.8% ±2.5 pts | 4.8% | +6.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 82.6% ±3.9 pts | 91.1% | −8.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±1.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.8% ±2.7 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.1% ±3.3 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.3% ±3.1 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0% ±3.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7% ±4.1 pts | 16.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4% ±2.5 pts | 9.2% | −8.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7% ±6.7 pts | 90.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.6% ±6.8 pts | 18.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.9% ±2.3 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.8% ±4.8 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.3% ±2.4 pts | 2.7% | – |
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 Princeton earn?
Half of Princeton's 507 households earn less than $58,558 a year (±$14,672), against $62,679 in Mercer County and $70,702 in Missouri. In 2015-2019 it was $41,935 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,558 ±$14,672 | $62,679 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $66,821 ±$7,801 | $70,588 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,134 ±$3,426 | $27,204 | +$5,337 |
| People below the poverty line | 18.0% ±9.1 pts | 13.5% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.8% ±20.4 pts | 18.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.4% ±6.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 88.4% ±5.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.7% ±7.3 pts | 81.0% | – |
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 Princeton?
Owners occupy 72.4% of Princeton's occupied homes and renters 27.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $78,000 by its owner (±$11,721). The median renter pays $547 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $78,000 ±$11,721 | $104,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $547 ±$211 | $590 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 8.3% ±7.0 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $853 ±$52 | $1,069 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.4% ±7.1 pts | 81.0% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 27.6% ±7.1 pts | 19.0% | – |
| Housing units | 628 ±85 | 1,902 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±8.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 10.8% ±15.0 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 78.5% ±7.0 pts | 84.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.5% ±2.7 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±5.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 1.3% ±1.5 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 25.8% ±7.0 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.7% ±3.6 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 Princeton building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Princeton in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 1.0 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 Princeton work and get to work?
67.6% of Princeton's workers drive alone and 13.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes.
| Measure | Princeton | Mercer County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.3% ±6.8 pts | 57.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 67.6% ±10.1 pts | 73.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.0% ±7.3 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±5.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±5.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.7% ±8.2 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min ±4.0 | 22.6 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 Princeton?
No census tract lies mostly in Princeton; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4702Mercer County | 2,268 | $71,776 |
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 Princeton) · Census block assignment files
How does Princeton compare with other places in Missouri?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Princeton is the 10,398th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 346th-most populous of 936 in Missouri.
Princeton ranks 200th 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 | 346th | 936 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 367th | 394 |
| Residents per square mile | 322nd | 420 |
| Median household income | 200th | 416 |
| Per capita income | 278th | 420 |
| Median home value | 393rd | 416 |
| Median gross rent | 379th | 398 |
| Poverty rate | 146th | 373 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 235th | 404 |
| Median age | 222nd | 420 |
| Owner-occupied share | 151st | 418 |
| Work from home | 99th | 270 |
| Travel time to work | 223rd | 420 |
Princeton's figures with every place in Missouri (CSV)
Every place in Missouri, sortable · Compare Princeton 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 Princeton?
16 of the 57 figures for Princeton 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 Princeton 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 Princeton.