Living in Kelso, Missouri
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kelso · Census data 2020–2024
Kelso has 603 residents with a median age of 34.9. The median household income is $56,875 (20% lower than the Missouri median), the median home value is $215,400, the median rent is $591/month.
Kelso is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Kelso at a glance
- Population
- 603
- Median age
- 34.9State: 39
- Median household income
- $56,875State: $70,702
- Median home value
- $215,400State: $230,300
- Median rent
- $591/moState: $1,033
- Homeowners
- 64.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.9%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Kelso a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 6% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.6%; a poverty rate of 12.6%.
Cons: Median household income 20% lower than the Missouri median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Kelso
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kelso the median home value is $215,400, 35% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $591 per month, which is 20.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $993 a month in housing costs.
Kelso median household income
The median household income in Kelso is $56,875 and the income per person is $36,452. 12.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Missouri: 12.6%).
Housing in Kelso: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 258
- Owner-occupied
- 64.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.4%
- Vacant
- 4.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.45
Kelso demographics
- Population
- 603
- Median age
- 34.9
- Under 18
- 20.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.3%
- Households
- 246
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 2.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kelso ›
Education in Kelso
24.9% of adults 25 and older in Kelso have a bachelor's degree or higher (Missouri: 32.4%), and 6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kelso
- Unemployment rate
- 0.6%State: 4%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 3%
- Drive alone
- 89.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.3%
Kelso vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 603 | $56,875 | $215,400 | $591 |
| Scott City | 4,371 | $62,599 | $147,500 | $933 |
| New Hamburg | 247 | $98,750 | $198,800 | — |
| Thebes | 353 | $40,917 | — | $583 |
| Chaffee | 3,026 | $43,542 | $117,400 | $632 |
| Benton | 826 | $86,023 | $254,300 | $889 |
| Dutchtown | 187 | $86,111 | $154,200 | — |
| East Cape Girardeau | 283 | $42,188 | $62,500 | $930 |
| Cape Girardeau | 40,344 | $55,658 | $196,300 | $876 |
More for people moving to Kelso
Kelso ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kelso: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kelso, MO?
The median household income in Kelso is $56,875, 20% lower than the Missouri median of $70,702 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Kelso?
The median home value in Kelso is $215,400, compared with $230,300 in Missouri.
How much is rent in Kelso?
The median gross rent in Kelso is $591 per month, about 20.9% of household income.
Is Kelso, MO a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 6% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.6%; a poverty rate of 12.6%. Minuses: median household income 20% lower than the Missouri median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
What is the median age in Kelso?
The median age in Kelso is 34.9 years (Missouri: 39).
How long is the commute in Kelso?
The average commute to work in Kelso is 24 minutes; 3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kelso?
The unemployment rate in Kelso is 0.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kelso?
24.9% of adults in Kelso have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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