Sikeston: Demographics & People
Sikeston's population stands at 16,320 people, in 6,883 households. Population grew 0.6% from 16,231 (2022) to 16,320 (2024). Median age 38.2 years. (1.5y younger than Scott County; 1.0y older than Missouri). Children under 18 are 25% of the population. Population is 68% White (non-Hispanic) and 21% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.43). 59% of households are family-led. County is losing 250 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 25% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Missouri avg 2.4).
- 41% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Missouri 42%).
- 89 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Missouri 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.6% from 16,231 (2022) to 16,320 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~16,409 (extrapolated at 0.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 16,530.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 16,434 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 16,231 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 16,320 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 16,320 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
| Population Estimate | 16,530 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.2y is 0.7 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 25% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.2 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 25.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 16,320 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 4,133 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 3,420.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 5,218.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 3,549 |
| Population under 18 | 4,133 |
| Median age | 38.2 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 16,320 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.43 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 10,981 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 4,046 |
| Asian residents | 64 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 453 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 43.2% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 70.6% |
| Asian population | 0.2% (vs Missouri 1.9%) |
| Black population | 21.3% (vs Missouri 6.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 2.3% (vs Missouri 5.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 68.2% (vs Missouri 77.7%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.4% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 1% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 12,387 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 3,654 |
| Share born in this state | 75.9% |
| Share born in another state | 24.1% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 22.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.4% |
| Naturalized citizens | 1.3% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 171 |
| From Europe | 70 |
| From Africa | 28 |
Households & Family Composition
6,883 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 59% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 4,062 families, 23% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 4,052 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 4,062 |
| Married couples with children | 944 |
| Single-parent households | 72 |
| Average household size | 2.30 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 10.1% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 469 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 61 |
| Family households | 4,066 households (vs Missouri 7,284) |
| Households that are families | 59.1% (vs Missouri 58.3%) |
| Total households | 6,883 households (vs Missouri 11,992) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 11.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 250 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 11.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 13,538 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 13,788 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -250 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 1,652 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 10.4% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 306 residents live in group quarters (1.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 306 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 8 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 29143 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 29 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 143 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | New Madrid |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 43.9% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 36.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 52.90 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 29143 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | New Madrid County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 733 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 29143 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | New Madrid County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 40.2% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 35.0% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 46.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 17,076 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 8.60 |
| Family Score · Schools | 12 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 2 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 2 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 25.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 16,320, stable, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 16,320 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
| Town Summary · County | New Madrid County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade