Bolivar, MO

Missouri

Bolivar is a small city in Missouri with a population of 10,996. Residents earn $44,603 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
10,996 Population 1,336/sq mi density
$44,603 Median Income $24,723 per capita
$188,700 Home Value $249,926 Zillow
$833 Median Rent 33.3% income on rent
551 Violent Crime/100K 4,961 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$44,603 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$188,700 home value, $833/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
551 violent crimes/100K (45% above avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,603
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $188,700
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 551/100K
45% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.5%
24% lower than US avg
Median Rent $833
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.3%
1% lower than US avg

How Bolivar Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population10,996
Median Age33.4 yrs
Density1,336/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 93%
Veterans6.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$44,603
Per Capita$24,723
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty12.3%
Commute23 min

Housing

A
Home Value$188,700
Rent$833
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$249,926
Housing Units4,358
Rent Burden33.3%

Crime

F
Violent551/100K
Property4,961/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault475/100K
Burglary912/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
Uninsured10.2%
Smoking20.4%
Depression27.8%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg TempN/A
AQI41 (Good)
Sunny Days318/yr
Elevation1,060 ft (323 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.5%
High School+88.9%
Graduate+9.3%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute23 min
Broadband83.9%
EV Stations4

Is Bolivar a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bolivar receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bolivar offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bolivar is $44,603, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bolivar is $188,700, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $833 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 551 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,961 per 100,000, 153% above the national average.

Education

25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

With 318 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Bolivar has a population of 10,996 with a density of 1,336 people per square mile. The median age is 33.4 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

10,996
Total Population
1,336
People / sq mi
33.4yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
8.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bolivar vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bolivar vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bolivar is $44,603, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Bolivar vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,603
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,723

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.3%
1% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.0 min
Drive Alone74.5%
Public Transit0.1%
Work from Home9.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Bolivar is $188,700, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $833 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $249,926.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$188,700
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$249,926
Median List Price$274,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$274,900
$/Sq Ft$145
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops19.1%
Inventory42

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$833
28% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$888
Rent Burden33.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$775
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,265
4 Bedrooms$1,457

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied54.4%
Housing Units4,358
Median Year Built1984

Property Tax

In Bolivar, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 10.2% of residents lack health insurance. 20.4% are current smokers. 27.8% report depression. 32.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bolivar vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure34.7%
Asthma11.4%
COPD9.2%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.4%
46% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity32.9%
Depression27.8%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.8%
Short Sleep40.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.4%
Uninsured10.2%
19% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.6%
Dental Visits54.1%

Food & Exercise

Bolivar has a violent crime rate of 551 per 100,000 residents, 45% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,961 per 100,000 (153% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bolivar vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent551.2/100K
45% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape38.0/100K
Robbery38.0/100K
Assault475.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,960.6/100K
153% above US avg
Burglary912.3/100K
Theft3,839.2/100K
Vehicle Theft209.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 83.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.5%
24% below US avg
High School+88.9%
Graduate Degree+9.3%
School Test Score5.51
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density1,336/sq mi
Total Area8.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.9%
EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations6

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.0 min
Drive Alone74.5%
Public Transit0.1%
Work from Home9.5%

Nearby Cities

Humansville, MO 1,190 pop · 15.4 mi Buffalo, MO 3,358 pop · 17.5 mi Fair Grove, MO 1,551 pop · 21.3 mi Willard, MO 6,418 pop · 21.4 mi Stockton, MO 2,018 pop · 21.9 mi Ash Grove, MO 1,336 pop · 22.8 mi Greenfield, MO 1,276 pop · 27.3 mi Springfield, MO 169,432 pop · 28.3 mi Strafford, MO 2,609 pop · 28.8 mi Marshfield, MO 7,599 pop · 33.5 mi Republic, MO 19,233 pop · 34.4 mi Battlefield, MO 6,095 pop · 34.5 mi St. Clair, MO 4,767 pop · 37.2 mi El Dorado Springs, MO 3,545 pop · 38.0 mi
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