The Town FilesLebanon, Missouri
City in Laclede County · population 15,013 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $158,800
- Household income
- $48,359
- Jan low / Jul high
- 22° / 88°
- Snow a year
- 8 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 19
- Median age
- 37.4
Lebanon is a city of 15,013 people in Laclede County, Missouri. The median home is worth $158,800, close to the typical Missouri town ($153,900). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 90% of Missouri towns, more vibrant than 74% of Missouri towns.
How Lebanon ranks
Percentile among Missouri towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Missouri towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Lebanon is worth $158,800, close to the typical Missouri town ($153,900). Homes cost about 3.3 times the median household income of $48,359, which is more affordable than 25% of Missouri towns. Median rent is $809 a month. 52.1% of households own their home.
| Housing | Lebanon | Typical Missouri town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $158,800 | $153,900 |
| Median rent | $809 | $855 |
| Median household income | $48,359 | $56,368 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.3× | 2.7× |
| Homeownership | 52.1% | 67.4% |
| Median year built | 1978 | 1972 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.8% | — |
Who lives in Lebanon
| People | Lebanon | Typical Missouri town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.4 | 38.6 |
| Age 65 and over | 16.9% | 17.7% |
| Under 18 | 25.7% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 18.9% |
| Below the poverty line | 21.7% | 14.6% |
| Veterans | 6.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.1% | — |
| Work from home | 3.2% | 7.9% |
| Average commute | 17.4 min | 23.1 min |
| Homes with broadband | 82.3% | 88.7% |
Weather in Lebanon
July highs average 88.4°F and January lows 22.2°F. About 45.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 8.3 inches of snow (typical Missouri town: 11.1 in). Expect about 38 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 95 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Lebanon since 1950, compared with 23 for the typical Missouri town. 7 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on January 7, 2008 about 6.8 miles from the town center. The most recent was on April 1, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 66 times; the largest was 3.00 inches on April 26, 2026.
Severe weather in Laclede County since 1996
Laclede County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2020 | Severe Storm | DR-4552: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
| March 26, 2020 | Biological | DR-4490: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3482: Covid-19 |
| July 9, 2019 | Severe Storm | DR-4451: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| January 21, 2016 | Flood | DR-4250: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Laclede County
Laclede County had 13,577 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $47,063 a year. Unemployment was 3.2% in 2023; in Lebanon itself the ACS puts it at 6.9%.
Public schools in Lebanon
9 public schools with 4,953 students, about 13.8 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEBANON SR. HIGH | 9-12 | 1,454 | 18.4 |
| LEBANON MIDDLE SCHOOL | 6-8 | 880 | 13.1 |
| JOE D. ESTHER ELEM. | K-1 | 645 | 11.7 |
| MAPLECREST ELEM. | 2-3 | 613 | 12.5 |
| BOSWELL ELEM. | 4-5 | 553 | 14.6 |
| JOEL E. BARBER ELEM. | PK-8 | 521 | 14.5 |
| Lebanon R-III Early Chld Cntr | PK-PK | 287 | 23.9 |
| LEBANON TECH. CAREER CTR. | 9-12 | — | — |
| HILLCREST EDUCATION CENTER | 7-12 | — | — |
Towns near Lebanon
- Buffalo, MO24.0 mi · 3,290 people · home $141,800
- Camdenton, MO24.1 mi · 3,960 people · home $175,500
- Waynesville, MO26.1 mi · 5,406 people · home $200,000
- Marshfield, MO26.6 mi · 7,458 people · home $204,700
- Fort Leonard Wood, MO29.6 mi · 15,959 people · home —
- St. Robert, MO29.7 mi · 5,192 people · home $225,300
Lebanon questions
Is Lebanon, Missouri a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Lebanon scores better for retirees than 21% of Missouri towns and quieter than 23%. 16.9% of residents are 65 or older (median age 37.4).
How much does a house cost in Lebanon?
The median owner-occupied home in Lebanon is valued at $158,800 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $48,359, so homes cost about 3.3 times income. Median rent is $809 a month.
What is the weather like in Lebanon?
July highs average 88.4°F and January lows 22.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 45.9 inches of precipitation a year and 8.3 inches of snow.
Does Lebanon get tornadoes?
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Lebanon since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on January 7, 2008. The typical Missouri town has had 23.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)