City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

University City, MO

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

34,655
Residents
$76,466
Median income
$285,100
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

University City - the verdict

Nationally, University City sits in the 58th percentile for household income and the 35th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
62nd
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
35th
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: University City, MO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 34,655 residents in University City, a small city within Missouri. The typical household in University City brings in $76,466 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.7%. Home values in University City run a median of $285,100, and the median resident age is 38.1 years. About 64.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 65.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 262 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 6450% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1872.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Missouri at 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,218 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $219 across Missouri, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for University City workers runs 17.4 minutes, with 66.1% driving alone and 17.0% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

34,655 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$76,466 /yr

Poverty 6.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does University City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 62% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 35% 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: University City ranks #141 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 University City'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.

58thIncome percentile
35thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 35th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

University City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

University City'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 48 Avg. percentile National median
University City'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 University City's home value compares nationally

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

$285,100 38th percentile more affordable than 38% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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. University City $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 - University City, MO University City, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not University City, 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 University City, MO median $76,466/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%
University City, 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 University City, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 64.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.4%

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

Population
34,655
Median Income
$76,466
Median Home Value
$285,100
Median Age
38.1
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor force participation
65.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
64.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1872.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
298.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1574.0
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 →
34,000 residents34,500 residents35,000 residents35,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 35,165 residents 34,657 residents ▼ -1.4%
University City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
262
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
259
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 4
2021 5
2022 4
2023 3
2024 262

Permit volume increased 6450% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.4 minutes
Drive Alone
66.1%
Carpool
5.7%
Public Transit
4.5%
Walk
3.9%
Work from Home
17.0%
Other
2.8%

Based on 19,137 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 University City sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,218/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Oakville
35,166 people
Wildwood
35,168 people
Ballwin
30,835 people
Liberty
30,446 people
Raytown
29,593 people
Kirkwood
29,302 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to University City's 34,655 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Northbrook, IL
34,642 people
Del Rio, TX
34,638 people
Randolph, MA
34,683 people
Merritt Island, FL
34,718 people
Canton, GA
34,587 people
Manhattan Beach, CA
34,584 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to University City's $76,466 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Petersburg, AK
$76,466 median income
Conyngham, PA
$76,468 median income
Ouray, CO
$76,458 median income
Mazon, IL
$76,458 median income
Germanton, NC
$76,458 median income
Hoople, ND
$76,458 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - University City, 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 University City, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.5% 30.4% 6.6% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.4% White 55.5% Black or African American 30.4% Asian 6.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.3% Two or more races 6.1% 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 University City 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
University City (this city) 34,655 $76,466
Oakville 35,166 $103,125
Wildwood 35,168 $157,750
Ballwin 30,835 $121,170
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about University City, MO?

What is the population of University City, MO? +

The population of University City, MO stands at 34,655 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in University City, MO? +

Median annual household income in University City runs $76,466, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in University City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for University City; 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 University City, MO safe? +

University City has a total crime rate of 1872.8 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 University City, MO? +

A typical home in University City is worth $285,100, 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

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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.