City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Rolla, MO

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

20,144
Residents
$42,518
Median income
$177,400
Median home
$933
Median rent (state)

Rolla - the verdict

Nationally, Rolla sits in the 10th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

10th
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
9th
percentile, median rent
17th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Rolla, MO

Rolla is a small city in Missouri, home to 20,144 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Rolla households earn a median of $42,518 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 10.6%. Home values in Rolla run a median of $177,400, and the median resident age is 27.4 years. Educational attainment runs 35.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 47.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 136 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 62% from five years earlier. Rolla's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2913.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: the state registers 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $933 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $219 across Missouri, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 53.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

20,144 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$42,518 /yr

Poverty 10.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Rolla compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 10% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Missouri and the picture shifts: Rolla ranks #184 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

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 Rolla'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.

10thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

10th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rolla's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rolla's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Rolla's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Rolla's home value compares nationally

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

$177,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Rolla $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 - Rolla, MO Rolla, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rolla, 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 Rolla, MO median $42,518/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%
Rolla, 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 Rolla, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.6%

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

Population
20,144
Median Income
$42,518
Median Home Value
$177,400
Median Age
27.4
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Labor force participation
47.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2913.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
373.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2539.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
19,500 residents20,000 residents20,500 residents21,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 19,912 residents 20,588 residents ▲ +3.4%
Rolla's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
136
housing units authorized
Single-Family
35
detached homes
Multifamily
101
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 84
2020 25
2021 52
2022 105
2023 98
2024 136

Permit volume increased 62% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.5%
Carpool
14.1%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
4.6%
Work from Home
5.4%
Other
2.2%

Based on 7,735 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 Rolla sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$933/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
53.7 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Affton
20,035 people
Warrensburg
19,437 people
Arnold
20,884 people
Republic
19,233 people
Old Jamestown
21,121 people
Creve Coeur
18,643 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rolla's 20,144 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

East Massapequa, NY
20,142 people
Huntington, NY
20,117 people
Palisades Park, NJ
20,192 people
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
20,094 people
Nanuet, NY
20,089 people
Port Angeles, WA
20,087 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rolla's $42,518 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kent, OH
$42,524 median income
Fabens, TX
$42,524 median income
Greensboro, GA
$42,508 median income
Ider, AL
$42,500 median income
Mentone, AL
$42,500 median income
Teller, AK
$42,500 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rolla, 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 Rolla, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.2% 6.1% 6.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.7% White 83.2% Black or African American 3.5% Asian 6.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.0% 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 Rolla 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
Rolla (this city) 20,144 $42,518
Affton 20,035 $77,337
Warrensburg 19,437 $57,232
Arnold 20,884 $75,194
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rolla, MO?

What is the population of Rolla, MO? +

The population of Rolla, MO stands at 20,144 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Rolla is $42,518 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rolla? +

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

Is Rolla, MO safe? +

Rolla has a total crime rate of 2913.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

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

The median home value in Rolla is $177,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, 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 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.