1st Advantage MortgageThe median Crawford County household earns $57,629, and 14% of residents live below the poverty line. 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 Crawford County
- The Crawford County job picture
- What Crawford County households earn
- Crawford County housing compared with Missouri
- Towns and communities in Crawford County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Who lives in Crawford County, in numbers
- Reading the Crawford County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Crawford County
- A Crawford County borrower's checklist
- Missouri rules that apply in Crawford County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Crawford County
With an estimated 22,797 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Crawford County ranks 50th of 115 in Missouri for population. It covers 742 square miles of land, or about 31 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Crawford County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (6 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Cuba, with about 3,189 residents, or 14% of the county.
The Crawford County job picture
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 17% locally and 11% for Missouri. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Crawford County. About 81% drive to work alone and 24% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.7% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Crawford County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.9% | +5.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +0.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.3 pts |
| Other services | 6.4% | +1.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Crawford County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What Crawford County households earn
At $57,629, the typical Crawford County household income is 12% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 70th among Missouri's 115 county-level areas.
| Household income | Crawford County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.7% | +6.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.9% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -4.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Crawford County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. Census counts 14.1% of Crawford County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.473 here. A household earning below the $57,629 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Crawford County housing compared with Missouri
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $795 in Crawford County versus $1,033 statewide. 39% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $172,600, about 3.0 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 69%. The median year built is 1981.
| Cost | Crawford County | Missouri figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $795/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $172,600 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 11% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Crawford County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 36% of Crawford County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $71,354 at the median in Indian Lake, $31,552 in Steelville. Rent is cheapest in Steelville ($599) and steepest in Bourbon ($907). None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuba | city | 3,189 | $45,916 | $744 | 9 mi |
| Steelville | city | 1,665 | $31,552 | $599 | 2 mi |
| Bourbon | city | 1,636 | $53,533 | $907 | 13 mi |
| Indian Lake | CDP | 1,135 | $71,354 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Leasburg | village | 279 | $40,833 | $663 | 9 mi |
| West Sullivan | town | 220 | $61,875 | $1,424 | 17 mi |
| St. Cloud | village | 24 | $38,750 | $963 | 15 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 23 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Crawford County; Franklin County is highest at $73,165 and Washington County lowest at $56,043.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford County | - | $57,629 | $795/mo | 69% |
| Washington County, MO | 23 mi | $56,043 | $684/mo | 78% |
| Phelps County, MO | 27 mi | $58,396 | $798/mo | 62% |
| Dent County, MO | 27 mi | $56,312 | $660/mo | 76% |
| Franklin County, MO | 34 mi | $73,165 | $893/mo | 77% |
| Gasconade County, MO | 34 mi | $64,232 | $743/mo | 81% |
| Maries County, MO | 36 mi | $59,455 | $590/mo | 78% |
Who lives in Crawford County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 12.9%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Crawford County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.1% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.9% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Crawford County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.7% |
| 60+ min | 17.0% |
Reading the Crawford County data as a borrower
Where the Crawford County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Crawford County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 14% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Room for a loan payment in Crawford County
How much room does a median Crawford County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,802 gross per month ($57,629 / 12)
- Less median rent of $795, which is 17% of it
- Under a 35% cap, $1,681 total minus rent leaves $886
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,366 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $795, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Crawford County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Crawford County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Crawford County-area credit union.
- A Missouri license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Missouri rules that apply in Crawford County
Crawford County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Missouri Division of Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Missouri guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Crawford County?
$57,629 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 70th of 115 in the state.
What do renters pay in Crawford County?
$795 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Which towns does the Crawford County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Cuba, Steelville, Bourbon, Indian Lake, Leasburg.
Can Crawford County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Missouri county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Crawford 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.