1st Advantage MortgageIn Barry County, Missouri, the typical household earns $58,346 a year and the typical rent is $766. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Missouri before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Barry County
- Housing costs in Barry County
- Household income in Barry County
- Employment and commuting in Barry County
- How Barry County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Barry County
- More Barry County figures
- What the numbers mean for Barry County borrowers
- What a median Barry County budget can carry
- Four steps for Barry County borrowers
- Missouri rules that apply in Barry County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Barry County
With an estimated 35,033 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Barry County ranks 34th of 115 in Missouri for population. Land area is 778 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 45 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Barry County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 12 Census places inside Barry County, Cassville leads by population with about 3,202; 10 of the 12 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Barry County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $766 in Barry County versus $1,033 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. With a median value of $187,800, a typical Barry County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Barry County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $766/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $187,800 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 22% | 11% | n/a |
Because most Barry County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Household income in Barry County
Half of Barry County households take in less than $58,346 a year and half take in more, 17% below the Missouri median of $70,702.
| Households earning | Barry County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.5% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.4% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -3.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Barry County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 15.2%, 3 points higher than the state's 12.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.455 here. A household earning below the $58,346 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Barry County
Manufacturing employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 15%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward manufacturing (25% against 11%). The survey's unemployment rate for Barry County averages 4.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 4.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Barry County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.4% | +14.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.7% | -9.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.0% | -3.4 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
How Barry County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 34 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Barry County; Benton County is highest at $93,506 and McDonald County lowest at $52,375. The list crosses into Arkansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry County | - | $58,346 | $766/mo | 77% |
| Stone County, MO | 21 mi | $63,520 | $896/mo | 83% |
| Lawrence County, MO | 28 mi | $61,215 | $800/mo | 74% |
| McDonald County, MO | 29 mi | $52,375 | $767/mo | 67% |
| Carroll County, AR | 30 mi | $54,230 | $856/mo | 77% |
| Newton County, MO | 31 mi | $66,301 | $817/mo | 77% |
| Benton County, AR | 34 mi | $93,506 | $1,277/mo | 67% |
The communities that make up Barry County
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 23% of Barry County residents live in one of the 12. Incomes vary by place: $60,469 at the median in Cassville, $36,711 in Purdy. Rent is cheapest in Purdy ($539) and steepest in Seligman ($797). This guide covers each of the 12 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassville | city | 3,202 | $60,469 | $640 | 2 mi |
| Purdy | city | 1,121 | $36,711 | $539 | 10 mi |
| Seligman | city | 941 | $47,798 | $797 | 13 mi |
| Exeter | city | 819 | $47,625 | $763 | 6 mi |
| Washburn | city | 498 | $66,250 | $775 | 11 mi |
| Wheaton | city | 427 | $37,813 | $473 | 13 mi |
| Butterfield | city | 370 | $54,375 | $794 | 5 mi |
| Emerald Beach | village | 274 | $45,781 | $625 | 13 mi |
| Golden | CDP | 233 | $46,488 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Chain-O-Lakes | village | 119 | $29,000 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Arrow Point | village | 81 | $38,750 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Eagle Rock | CDP | 21 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
More Barry County figures
15% of Barry County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 12.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Barry County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.4 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.9% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.5% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.4% |
| 60+ min | 9.8% |
What the numbers mean for Barry County borrowers
What the Barry County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 12% of Barry County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Barry County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 14% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
What a median Barry County budget can carry
How much room does a median Barry County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $58,346 a year is $4,862 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $766, takes 16% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $984 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,325 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Barry County's.
Four steps for Barry County borrowers
Quick steps for Barry County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Missouri license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Missouri rules that apply in Barry County
Consumer lenders serving Barry County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Missouri that is the Missouri Division of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Related local guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Barry County earn?
The median is $58,346; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Barry County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $766 a month; 43% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Barry County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Cassville, Purdy, Seligman, Exeter, Washburn.
Is the fit check different in Barry County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Barry County check a lender's license?
With the Missouri Division of Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.