Odessa is located at. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Odessa is located roughly 45 minutes from downtown Kansas City and approximately three hours from St. Louis.
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,300 people, 2,077 households, and 1,427 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 2,280 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 1.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population. There were 2,077 households of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.3% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age in the city was 35.2 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.8% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,818 people, 1,887 households, and 1,290 families living in the city. The population density was 1,381.7 people per square mile. There were 2,011 housing units at an average density of 576.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97.09% White, 1.18% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population. There were 1,887 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.07. In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $34,007, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $35,476 versus $23,047 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,455. About 8.4% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.
The City of Odessa is governed by six-member Board of Aldermen who represent a total of three different Wards. Aldermen serve alternating two year terms with no limits on how many terms they can serve. Adam Couch is the Mayor and at age 29, he is the youngest Mayor in the history of Odessa. The Mayor serves 2 year terms with no limits on how many terms. Odessa is a Missouri "Fourth Class" city.
