1st Advantage MortgageIn Dallas County, Missouri, the typical household earns $53,464 a year and the typical rent is $642. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Missouri license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Dallas County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Dallas County
- Income in Dallas County compared with Missouri
- How Dallas County residents earn a living
- How Dallas County compares with nearby counties
- Dallas County towns compared
- Who lives in Dallas County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Dallas County
- What a median Dallas County budget can carry
- Four steps for Dallas County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Dallas County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Dallas County
With an estimated 17,551 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Dallas County ranks 62nd of 115 in Missouri for population. Spread over 541 square miles, that works out to roughly 32.4 residents per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Springfield, MO metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Dallas County, Buffalo leads by population with about 3,417; 3 of the 4 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Dallas County
Renters in Dallas County pay a median of $642 a month, 38% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. By the Census definition, 35% of Dallas County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $190,300, about 3.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 76% of homes.
| Housing | Dallas County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $642/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $190,300 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.8% | 5.2% | n/a |
Because most Dallas 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.
Income in Dallas County compared with Missouri
Dallas County households have a median income of $53,464 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 85th of 115 in Missouri.
| Households earning | Dallas County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.4% | +14.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.5% | -5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.8% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.3% | -5.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Dallas County households make $100,000 or more, and 38% make less than $35,000. 20.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.470 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Dallas County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 29% of employed Dallas County residents work in education and health care and 12% in manufacturing. Education and health care stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 26% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Only 4.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Dallas County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.3% | +4.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.1% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 9.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.4% | -3.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -1.2 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 Dallas County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 21 to 34 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Dallas County; Webster County is highest at $71,155 and Hickory County lowest at $39,390.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas County | - | $53,464 | $642/mo | 76% |
| Polk County, MO | 21 mi | $59,647 | $814/mo | 72% |
| Hickory County, MO | 24 mi | $39,390 | $648/mo | 82% |
| Laclede County, MO | 24 mi | $53,282 | $809/mo | 68% |
| Camden County, MO | 28 mi | $66,387 | $876/mo | 82% |
| Webster County, MO | 29 mi | $71,155 | $789/mo | 77% |
| Greene County, MO | 34 mi | $61,479 | $989/mo | 57% |
Dallas County towns compared
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 24% of Dallas County residents live in one of the 4. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | city | 3,417 | $39,896 | $627 | 4 mi |
| Urbana | city | 441 | $38,750 | $830 | 13 mi |
| Louisburg | village | 141 | $35,625 | $1,083 | 8 mi |
| Bennett Springs | CDP | 135 | $76,650 | n/a | 10 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Who lives in Dallas County, in numbers
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 15.9%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Residents | Dallas County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.4% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.7% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.9% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.2% |
Before borrowing in Dallas County
Where the Dallas County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 16% of Dallas County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 26% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Assistance before credit. With a 20% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Dallas County loan.
What a median Dallas County budget can carry
Here is the Dallas County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $53,464 a year is $4,455 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $642, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,140 a month
If your rent is above $642, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Four steps for Dallas County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Dallas County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Dallas County borrowers answers to 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
What is the median household income in Dallas County?
$53,464 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 85th of 115 in the state.
What do renters pay in Dallas County?
$642 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
I live in a small Dallas County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Buffalo, Urbana, Louisburg, Bennett Springs.
Can Dallas 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.
Is there a Dallas County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Missouri it is the Missouri Division of Finance.