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Sedalia, MO

Missouri

Sedalia is a small city in Missouri with a population of 21,869. Residents earn $50,668 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
21,869 Population 1,455/sq mi density
$50,668 Median Income $27,846 per capita
$136,500 Home Value $176,864 Zillow
$854 Median Rent 28.1% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature 263 sunny days/yr
637 Violent Crime/100K 6,354 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$50,668 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$136,500 home value, $854/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
637 violent crimes/100K (68% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,668
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,500
52% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 637/100K
68% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.0%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $854
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.1%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.0%
3% lower than US avg

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

People

Population21,869
Median Age36.2 yrs
Density1,455/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 80%
Veterans9.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,668
Per Capita$27,846
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty12.0%
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,500
Rent$854
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$176,864
Housing Units9,967
Rent Burden28.1%

Crime

F
Violent637/100K
Property6,354/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault530/100K
Burglary948/100K

Health

Obesity38.1%
Uninsured12.9%
Smoking20.5%
Depression26.0%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F (12°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain40.1 in/yr
Sunny Days263/yr
Elevation912 ft (278 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.0%
High School+84.7%
Graduate+6.2%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute17 min
Broadband88.4%
EV Stations10

Is Sedalia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sedalia receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Sedalia has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sedalia is $50,668, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sedalia is $136,500, 52% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $854 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 637 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,354 per 100,000, 224% above the national average.

Education

17.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Sedalia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. With 263 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 40.1 inches, including 5.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sedalia has a population of 21,869 with a density of 1,455 people per square mile. The median age is 36.2 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.7%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 3.6% Black.

Population

21,869
Total Population
1,455
People / sq mi
36.2yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
15.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Sedalia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.9%
11% above US avg
Spanish13.1%
2% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sedalia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sedalia is $50,668, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Sedalia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,668
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,846

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.0%
3% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living90.80 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.6 min
Drive Alone77.8%
Public Transit0.2%
Work from Home4.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Sedalia is $136,500, 52% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $854 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $176,864.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,500
52% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$176,864
Median List Price$210,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$210,000
$/Sq Ft$131
Homes Sold14
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops31.3%
Inventory48

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$854
27% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$956
Rent Burden28.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.2%
Housing Units9,967
Median Year Built1964

Property Tax

In Sedalia, 38.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 12.9% of residents lack health insurance. 20.5% are current smokers. 26.0% report depression. 34.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.1%
19% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure34.0%
Asthma11.3%
COPD8.9%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.5%
46% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.5%
Physical Inactivity34.1%
Depression26.0%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress16.2%
Short Sleep40.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.8%
Uninsured12.9%
50% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.2%
Dental Visits52.5%

Food & Exercise

Sedalia has a violent crime rate of 637 per 100,000 residents, 68% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,354 per 100,000 (224% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent636.8/100K
68% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape37.2/100K
Robbery69.7/100K
Assault529.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,354.3/100K
224% above US avg
Burglary948.3/100K
Theft5,117.8/100K
Vehicle Theft288.2/100K
Arson18.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sedalia has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.1 inches. The area enjoys 263 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average54.3°F
1% above US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days263 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.1 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall5.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation912 ft (278 m)
Area15.0 sq mi (38.9 km²)
Population Density1,455/sq mi
Coordinates38.7045°N, 93.2283°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
17.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 88.4% 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+17.0%
50% below US avg
High School+84.7%
Graduate Degree+6.2%
School Test Score5.51
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density1,455/sq mi
Total Area15.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.4%
EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations16

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.6 min
Drive Alone77.8%
Public Transit0.2%
Work from Home4.5%

Nearby Cities

Cole Camp, MO 1,327 pop · 16.9 mi Whiteman AFB, MO 3,713 pop · 18.0 mi Knob Noster, MO 2,824 pop · 18.3 mi Windsor, MO 3,038 pop · 19.8 mi Sweet Springs, MO 1,299 pop · 20.5 mi Tipton, MO 2,680 pop · 24.4 mi Concordia, MO 2,184 pop · 26.6 mi Warrensburg, MO 19,437 pop · 27.7 mi Versailles, MO 2,580 pop · 28.2 mi Marshall, MO 13,699 pop · 29.0 mi Boonville, MO 7,682 pop · 32.1 mi Warsaw, MO 2,064 pop · 32.9 mi New Franklin, MO 1,015 pop · 34.1 mi California, MO 4,523 pop · 36.1 mi
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