1st Advantage MortgageAbout 61% of Adair County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $61,536. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Adair County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- 25,301 residents: Adair County basics
- Earnings across Adair County households
- Adair County at the extremes
- Adair County industries and commutes
- Housing costs in Adair County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Adair County
- A Adair County household budget, worked through
- Age, degrees and coverage in Adair County
- Before borrowing in Adair County
- Steps before you apply in Adair County
- Licensing and complaints for Adair County
- More guides for Adair County
- Frequently asked questions
25,301 residents: Adair County basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Adair County's population at 25,301; only 40 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Its 567 square miles average 45 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Adair County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Kirksville, about 17,563 residents (69% of Adair County); 6 Census places in all.
Earnings across Adair County households
Median household income in Adair County: $61,536 (13% below Missouri, $70,702). That places it 50th among Missouri's 115 county-level areas.
| Household income | Adair County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.2% | +8.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -2.3 pts |
On the low end, 32% of Adair County households report under $35,000; at the top, 25% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 22.0% of Adair County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. A household earning below the $61,536 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Adair County at the extremes
Out of every Missouri county, Adair County is most unusual on these measures.
- Adair County ranks 2nd lowest of 115 Missouri counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 5%, against 12% statewide. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
- Median age: 30.2 in Adair County. Only 1 of 115 Missouri counties are lower. Younger borrowers often have thin credit files; a co-signer or credit union may help.
- Few Missouri counties match Adair County on the poverty rate: 22.0% here, 12.6% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 115. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
- Few Missouri counties match Adair County on homeownership: 61% here, 68% for the state, ranking 7th lowest of 115. In a renter-heavy county, unsecured loans and cards are the main options.
Adair County industries and commutes
The biggest employer of Adair County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 35% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). Education and health care stands out: 35% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.1% in Adair County. 63% of Adair County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 5% need 45 or more.
| Where residents work | Adair County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 34.8% | +10.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 5.9% | -0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.7% | -4.7 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Adair County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Housing costs in Adair County
Renters in Adair County pay a median of $772 a month, 25% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. 40% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $165,700, a typical Adair County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. In Adair County, 61% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. Against the median U.S. county, Adair County rent is 12% below.
| Housing | Adair County | Missouri statewide | Adair County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 15% | 22% | -7.3 pts |
| Owners | 61% | 68% | -7.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 46% | -5.2 pts |
| Median home value | $165,700 | $230,300 | 28% lower |
| Median gross rent | $772/mo | $1,033/mo | 25% lower |
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Schuyler County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Scotland County, is 30 miles off. Adair County's $61,536 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $56,964 (Sullivan County) to $68,913 (Scotland County).
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair County | - | $61,536 | $772/mo | 61% |
| Schuyler County, MO | 20 mi | $61,205 | $382/mo | 80% |
| Knox County, MO | 24 mi | $57,788 | $666/mo | 85% |
| Macon County, MO | 25 mi | $62,357 | $672/mo | 77% |
| Sullivan County, MO | 27 mi | $56,964 | $673/mo | 75% |
| Putnam County, MO | 29 mi | $63,510 | $521/mo | 83% |
| Scotland County, MO | 30 mi | $68,913 | $511/mo | 82% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Adair County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Adair County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 18,406 residents, leaving about 27% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Adair County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirksville | city | 17,563 | $50,071 | $775 | 2 mi |
| Novinger | city | 423 | $53,125 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Brashear | city | 182 | $47,083 | $290 | 12 mi |
| Millard | village | 106 | $77,875 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Connelsville | CDP | 70 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Gibbs | village | 62 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
A Adair County household budget, worked through
DTI math using Adair County medians ($61,536 income, $772 rent):
- Monthly gross at the median, Adair County: $5,128
- 15% goes to median rent ($772)
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,279 a month
If your rent is above $772, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Age, degrees and coverage in Adair County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 36% of Adair County adults. Uninsured, Adair County: 10.3%; Missouri: 8.8%.
| Residents | Adair County | Difference from Missouri | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 22.0% | +9.4 pts | +8.8 pts |
| Median age | 30.2 | -8.8 yrs | -11.3 yrs |
| Work from home | 8.0% | -5.0 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.5% | +3.1 pts | +13.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.3% | +1.6 pts | +2.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | -1.5 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 7.3% | +0.6 pts | +1.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | +0.1 pts | -0.3 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Adair County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.9% |
| 60+ min | 3.5% |
Before borrowing in Adair County
Based on the Adair County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 10% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Assistance before credit. With a 22% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Adair County loan.
- Consolidating cards in Adair County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Steps before you apply in Adair County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Missouri.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Adair County
The Missouri Division of Finance is the place to verify any lender's Missouri license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Adair County
No city in Adair County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Adair County?
$61,536 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 50th of 115 in the state.
How does Adair County rent compare with Missouri?
$772 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 25% below.
What are the biggest places in Adair County?
By population: Kirksville, Novinger, Brashear, Millard, Connelsville. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Will a Adair County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Adair County?
Start with the Missouri Division of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.