1st Advantage MortgageThe median Clarke County household earns $71,641, and 10% of residents live below the poverty line. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Clarke County, IA: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Clarke County
- Employment and commuting in Clarke County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Clarke County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Clarke County towns compared
- Clarke County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Clarke County
- Budget math at the Clarke County median
- Checklist for Clarke County applicants
- Lender oversight for Clarke County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Clarke County, IA: the basics
With an estimated 9,662 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Clarke County ranks 77th of 99 in Iowa for population. It covers 431 square miles of land, or about 22 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Clarke County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 3 Census places inside Clarke County, Osceola leads by population with about 5,523; 3 of the 3 are incorporated. Because Clarke County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Paychecks and income spread in Clarke County
Half of Clarke County households take in less than $71,641 a year and half take in more, 5% below the Iowa median of $75,059.
| Income band | Share in Clarke County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.1% | -4.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.1% | +6.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.8% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -2.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 34% of Clarke County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. Census counts 9.7% of Clarke County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.441 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Clarke County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Clarke County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward transportation, warehousing and utilities (9% against 5%). The survey's unemployment rate for Clarke County averages 4.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). Long commutes are common here: 30% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 12.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Clarke County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.0% | +2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.9% | +3.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.2% | -0.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Clarke County
A typical Clarke County rental runs $931 a month including utilities, which is 4% below Iowa. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 11% spend half or more. Home values center on $161,100, or 2.2 years of median income. 72% of Clarke County households own their home and 28% rent.
| Housing | Clarke County | Iowa statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $931/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $161,100 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.3% | 3.2% | n/a |
Because most Clarke 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Decatur County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Wayne County, is 31 miles off. Income ranges from $57,772 in Union County to $94,588 in Warren County; 2 of these neighbors top Clarke County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarke County | - | $71,641 | $931/mo | 72% |
| Decatur County, IA | 20 mi | $59,044 | $611/mo | 70% |
| Lucas County, IA | 24 mi | $61,793 | $709/mo | 79% |
| Warren County, IA | 24 mi | $94,588 | $973/mo | 82% |
| Union County, IA | 24 mi | $57,772 | $721/mo | 72% |
| Madison County, IA | 24 mi | $90,855 | $1,036/mo | 80% |
| Wayne County, IA | 31 mi | $61,964 | $659/mo | 81% |
Clarke County towns compared
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 65% of Clarke County residents live in one of the 3. No Clarke County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osceola | city | 5,523 | $68,284 | $943 | 0 mi |
| Murray | city | 614 | $65,500 | $831 | 9 mi |
| Woodburn | city | 165 | $46,000 | n/a | 10 mi |
Clarke County households compared
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 4.9%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Clarke County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.0% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.7% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.9% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.9% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Clarke County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 51.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 19.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Clarke County
Where the Clarke County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Commuter costs. 30% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Clarke County borrower sees (free reports).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Budget math at the Clarke County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Clarke County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Clarke County: $5,970
- Less median rent of $931, which is 16% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,636 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for Clarke County applicants
A short checklist for Clarke County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Clarke County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Clarke County
Clarke County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Iowa: Iowa personal loans.
Related local guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Clarke County household make?
About $71,641 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 5% below the Iowa median.
How does Clarke County rent compare with Iowa?
$931 locally versus $972 for the state, 4% below.
I own my home in Clarke County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 72% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Clarke County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Osceola, Murray, Woodburn.
Are Clarke County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.