Living in Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Poplar Bluff · Census data 2020–2024

Poplar Bluff has 16,254 residents with a median age of 37.3. The median household income is $41,941 (41% lower than the Missouri median), the median home value is $119,800, the median rent is $760/month.

Poplar Bluff at a glance

Population
16,254
Median age
37.3State: 39
Median household income
$41,941State: $70,702
Median home value
$119,800State: $230,300
Median rent
$760/moState: $1,033
Homeowners
53.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
14.4%
Average commute
18 min

Is Poplar Bluff a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 48% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Missouri median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 20.8%.

The weather is best in April–May and September–October.

Cost of living in Poplar Bluff

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Poplar Bluff the median home value is $119,800, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $760 per month, which is 32.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,002 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Poplar Bluff$119,800
Missouri$230,300
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Poplar Bluff$760
Missouri$1,033
United States$1,413

Poplar Bluff median household income

The median household income in Poplar Bluff is $41,941 and the income per person is $22,619. 20.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Missouri: 12.6%).

Median household income

Poplar Bluff$41,941
Missouri$70,702
United States$80,734

Housing in Poplar Bluff: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
7,711
Owner-occupied
53.1%
Renter-occupied
46.9%
Vacant
15.7%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1972
Average household size
2.41

Poplar Bluff demographics

Population
16,254
Median age
37.3
Under 18
23.5%
65 and older
20.1%
Households
6,504
Foreign-born
1.4%
Veterans
9.2%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White79.9%
Hispanic or Latino2.4%
Black9.1%
Asian0.9%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Poplar Bluff ›

Education in Poplar Bluff

14.4% of adults 25 and older in Poplar Bluff have a bachelor's degree or higher (Missouri: 32.4%), and 5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Poplar Bluff14.4%
Missouri32.4%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Poplar Bluff

Unemployment rate
4.9%State: 4%
Average commute
18 minState: 24 min
Work from home
3.7%
Drive alone
77.2%
Public transit
0.8%
Walk to work
1.8%
Homes with broadband
82.7%

Poplar Bluff vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Poplar Bluff16,254$41,941$119,800$760
Fisk502$58,125—$513
Fairdealing415$49,293$176,400—
Qulin570$23,365—$624
Neelyville358$35,865$35,000—
Williamsville284$30,625$56,400$715
Naylor388$28,462$81,900$607
Puxico846$47,500$89,500$635
Ellsinore678$52,010$150,800$688

More for people moving to Poplar Bluff

Poplar Bluff ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Poplar Bluff: FAQ

What is the median household income in Poplar Bluff, MO?

The median household income in Poplar Bluff is $41,941, 41% 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 Poplar Bluff?

The median home value in Poplar Bluff is $119,800, compared with $230,300 in Missouri.

How much is rent in Poplar Bluff?

The median gross rent in Poplar Bluff is $760 per month, about 32.8% of household income.

Is Poplar Bluff, MO a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 48% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Missouri median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 20.8%.

What is the median age in Poplar Bluff?

The median age in Poplar Bluff is 37.3 years (Missouri: 39).

How long is the commute in Poplar Bluff?

The average commute to work in Poplar Bluff is 18 minutes; 3.7% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Poplar Bluff?

The unemployment rate in Poplar Bluff is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Poplar Bluff?

14.4% of adults in Poplar Bluff 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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