65281 ZIP Code — Salisbury, MO

Chariton County, Missouri

ZIP code 65281 is located in Salisbury, Missouri, within Chariton County. It covers approximately 195.65 square miles and serves a population of 2,874 residents. This is a standard ZIP code in the Central (CT) timezone, served by area code 660.

About ZIP code 65281

The housing stock consists of predominantly single-family detached homes. Most homes were built in the 1970s, giving the area an established character. Median home value is $135,900. Owner-occupancy is high at 85%, well above the national average.

Median household income is $64,511. 40% of households receive Social Security income, suggesting a notable retiree or disability population.

The dominant occupation class is management, business, and professional, with education and healthcare as the leading industry. The average commute of 27 minutes is near the national average.

Educational attainment is near the national average, with 25% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.

Health indicators show elevated rates of smoking (22%) compared to national benchmarks.

Overall, ZIP code 65281 reflects a community defined by high homeownership and a significant Social Security-dependent population.

2,874

population

195.65

sq mi land

Standard

ZIP type

Central (CT)

timezone

65281 ZIP code map

Cities in ZIP code 65281

Below are the cities the US Postal Service accepts for ZIP code 65281. Using any city not on this list may result in mail delivery delays.

City	Status
Salisbury	Acceptable
Salisbury	Preferred

Nearby ZIP codes

65261 Keytesville (3.3 mi) 65244 Clifton Hill (11.8 mi) 65236 Brunswick (13.2 mi) 64660 Mendon (14 mi) 65330 Gilliam (14.7 mi) 65259 Huntsville (15.3 mi) 64658 Marceline (15.8 mi) 65349 Slater (15.9 mi) 65230 Armstrong (15.9 mi) 64676 Rothville (16.8 mi) 65254 Glasgow (16.9 mi)

Demographics updated 05/2026

Population
Total population	2,874
Population density	15 / sq mi
State FIPS	29
County FIPS	041

Geography
Land area	195.65 sq mi
Water area	1.45 sq mi
Latitude	39.4609
Longitude	-92.8673
Timezone	Central (CT)
Area code	660

Total population by age

Gender

Race & ethnicity

Economics updated 05/2026

Household income

Income range	This ZIP	County avg	State avg
Under $50k	50.8%	51.3%	43.8%
$50k – $100k	35.7%	33.2%	31.5%
$100k – $200k	12.8%	13.7%	19.5%
Over $200k	0.7%	1.8%	5.2%

Demographics & statistics

2,874

Population

People per sq mi

43.4

Median age

$64,511

Median household income

$27,087

Per capita income

$135,900

Median home value

$644

Median monthly rent

84.5%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

1,213

Housing units

24.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

112

10–14

106

15–19

20–24

148

25–34

140

181

35–44

170

152

45–54

144

55–59

133

60–64

125

185

65–74

175

114

75–84

108

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	627	21.8%
18 and over	2,247	78.2%
65 and over	678	23.6%
Median age	43.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96%

Black or African American 2.9%

Two or more races 1.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,759	96%
Black or African American	83	2.9%
Two or more races	32	1.1%

Household income

Income range	This ZIP	County avg	State avg
Under $50k	50.8%	51.3%	43.8%
$50k – $100k	35.7%	33.2%	31.5%
$100k – $200k	12.8%	13.7%	19.5%
Over $200k	0.7%	1.8%	5.2%

Under $10k 2.8%

$10k–$15k 1.1%

$15k–$25k 11.0%

$25k–$35k 6.7%

$35k–$50k 14.4%

$50k–$75k 25.5%

$75k–$100k 12.5%

$100k–$150k 20.0%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k+ 2.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.8%
$10k–$15k	1.1%
$15k–$25k	11.0%
$25k–$35k	6.7%
$35k–$50k	14.4%
$50k–$75k	25.5%
$75k–$100k	12.5%
$100k–$150k	20.0%
$150k–$200k	3.1%
$200k+	2.9%
Median income	$64,511

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 17.4%

$50k–$100k 19.1%

$100k–$150k 16.2%

$150k–$200k 9.2%

$200k–$300k 26.3%

$300k–$500k 7.8%

$500k–$1M 3.1%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$135,900
Median rent / month	$644
Owner occupied	84.5%
Renter occupied	15.5%
Vacant	29.1%
Single-family detached	89.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.7%
Mobile homes	3.2%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.86

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.2%
2010–2019	1.1%
2000–2009	4.0%
1990–1999	7.5%
1980–1989	8.4%
1970–1979	23.3%
1960–1969	18.9%
1950–1959	9.8%
1940–1949	2.9%
1939 or earlier	23.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.7%
1 bedroom	5.2%
2 bedrooms	34.3%
3 bedrooms	45.0%
4 bedrooms	12.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.4%
1 vehicle	22.4%
2 vehicles	48.1%
3 or more	25.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	33.8%
Electricity	45.8%
Propane / LP gas	16.8%
Wood	3.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	605	62.6%
Cohabiting couple	27	2.8%
Male householder, no spouse	98	10.1%
Female householder, no spouse	237	24.5%
Households with children under 18	273	28.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	379	39.2%
Average household size	2.83

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	32.0%	23.6%
Married	55.2%	52.0%
Separated	3.4%	0.3%
Widowed	3.3%	13.6%
Divorced	6.1%	10.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.5%

Some HS, no diploma 3.6%

HS graduate 40.3%

Some college, no degree 17.0%

Associate's degree 10.9%

Bachelor's degree 12.7%

Graduate / professional 11.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.9%
Bachelor's or higher	24.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	23	3.4%
Kindergarten	28	4.1%
Elementary school	303	44.8%
High school	153	22.6%
College / grad school	169	25.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.4%

Construction 12.7%

Retail trade 9.6%

Wholesale trade 8.4%

Agriculture & mining 6.8%

Transportation & utilities 6.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.3%

Other services 5.3%

Manufacturing 4.1%

Professional & management 3.7%

Finance & real estate 3.6%

Public administration 3.3%

Information 2.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.3%
Service	12.1%
Sales & office	16.5%
Natural resources & construction	17.9%
Production & transportation	16.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.2%
Government	15.3%
Self-employed	11.2%
Unpaid family workers	2.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.8%
Carpool	13.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.2%
Work from home	6.5%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.6

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 24.4%

18 and over 10.8%

Married-couple families 5.3%

Female-led households 22.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.7%
Retirement income	31.0%
Supplemental Security	4.8%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
Obesity	38.6%
High blood pressure	35.8%
High cholesterol	37.8%
Diabetes	12.2%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	32.6%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	10.1%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Smoking	21.5%
Binge drinking	15.7%
No physical activity	29.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.5%
Depression	23.3%
Fair or poor health	18.3%
Poor mental health	15.4%
Poor physical health	13.3%
No health insurance	15.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.2%
Visited dentist	56.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.1%
Teeth loss	19.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	175	7.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.8%
Under 18	4.1%
18–64 years	16.5%
65 and over	33.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.5%
Public insurance	41.2%
No insurance	5.0%
Uninsured under 19	1.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,727	94.9%
Spanish	23	0.8%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	23	0.8%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,843	98.9%
Born in same state	2,843	98.9%
Born in different state	2,494	86.8%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	31	1.1%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	333	11.6%
Italian	170	5.9%
Arab	164	5.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	5	0.2%
Dutch	4	0.1%
English	3	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	33.6%
Internet access	90.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions about ZIP code 65281

What city is ZIP code 65281 in?

ZIP code 65281 is primarily assigned to Salisbury, Missouri.

What county is ZIP code 65281 in?

ZIP code 65281 falls within Chariton County, Missouri.

Is ZIP code 65281 mostly owner-occupied?

85% of occupied units in ZIP code 65281 are owner-occupied, well above the national average.

Does ZIP code 65281 have a large retiree population?

40% of households in ZIP code 65281 receive Social Security income, suggesting a significant retiree or disability population.

What is the typical home value in ZIP code 65281?

The median home value in ZIP code 65281 is $135,900.

What is the population of ZIP code 65281?

ZIP code 65281 has an estimated population of 2,874 residents, with a density of 15 people per square mile.

What timezone is ZIP code 65281 in?

ZIP code 65281 observes the CST timezone.