1st Advantage MortgageDunklin County households have a median income of $47,849 and median rent of $648 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Dunklin County, MO: the basics
- Income in Dunklin County compared with Missouri
- Housing costs in Dunklin County
- Work, industries and travel time in Dunklin County
- Counties near Dunklin County
- Dunklin County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Dunklin County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Dunklin County borrowers
- More Dunklin County figures
- Who licenses lenders for Dunklin County residents
- Checklist for Dunklin County applicants
- More guides for Dunklin County
- Frequently asked questions
Dunklin County, MO: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Dunklin County's population at 27,493; only 39 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 542 square miles, that is close to 51 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Dunklin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Kennett is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 10,196 people (37% of the county total).
Income in Dunklin County compared with Missouri
At $47,849, the typical Dunklin County household income is 27% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 106th of 115.
| Income band | Share in Dunklin County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.5% | +13.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.2% | +2.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 13.9% | -11.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -5.2 pts |
About 38% of households earn under $35,000, while 17% clear $100,000. 22.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Dunklin County
A typical Dunklin County rental runs $648 a month including utilities, which is 37% below Missouri. By the Census definition, 39% of Dunklin County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $97,600, about 2.0 times the median household income. Owners occupy 62% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1972.
| Home costs | Dunklin County | Missouri | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $648/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $97,600 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.3% | 5.2% | n/a |
Work, industries and travel time in Dunklin County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Dunklin County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 17% locally and 11% for Missouri. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Dunklin County. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home. 8.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Dunklin County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.7% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.3% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -1.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.3% | +4.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.6% | -0.3 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.
Counties near Dunklin County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (16 to 36 miles). Income ranges from $28,814 in Lake County to $57,839 in Greene County; 4 of these neighbors top Dunklin County's median. The list crosses into Arkansas, Tennessee, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunklin County | - | $47,849 | $648/mo | 62% |
| Pemiscot County, MO | 16 mi | $40,089 | $695/mo | 56% |
| Clay County, AR | 25 mi | $51,481 | $707/mo | 75% |
| Mississippi County, AR | 27 mi | $52,548 | $830/mo | 60% |
| Greene County, AR | 28 mi | $57,839 | $904/mo | 66% |
| Lake County, TN | 34 mi | $28,814 | $532/mo | 48% |
| Lauderdale County, TN | 36 mi | $49,879 | $774/mo | 64% |
Dunklin County towns compared
13 Census places fall mainly inside Dunklin County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 21,112 residents, leaving about 23% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $62,841 at the median in Holcomb, $22,500 in Cardwell. Rent is cheapest in Hornersville ($345) and steepest in Cardwell ($767). No Dunklin County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennett | city | 10,196 | $52,500 | $651 | 6 mi |
| Malden | city | 3,805 | $40,118 | $673 | 31 mi |
| Campbell | city | 1,766 | $49,926 | $641 | 24 mi |
| Senath | city | 1,662 | $31,667 | $530 | 6 mi |
| Clarkton | city | 958 | $46,333 | $611 | 21 mi |
| Cardwell | city | 816 | $22,500 | $767 | 15 mi |
| Holcomb | city | 666 | $62,841 | $555 | 17 mi |
| Hornersville | city | 531 | $38,750 | $345 | 8 mi |
| Arbyrd | city | 432 | $37,000 | $618 | 12 mi |
| White Oak | CDP | 119 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Frisbee | CDP | 95 | $59,375 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Rives | town | 64 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Hollywood | CDP | 2 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Debt-to-income at Dunklin County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Dunklin County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $3,987 a month: gross income for a household at the Dunklin County median
- 16% goes to median rent ($648)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,435 total minus rent leaves $787
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,067 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $648, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
What the numbers mean for Dunklin County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Dunklin County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 15% of Dunklin County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Vehicle repairs. 18% of Dunklin County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Assistance before credit. With a 22% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Dunklin County loan.
More Dunklin County figures
13% of Dunklin County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 15.1%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Measure | Dunklin County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.2% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.9% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.5% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.0% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
Who licenses lenders for Dunklin County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Dunklin County borrowers answers to the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Missouri state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Dunklin County applicants
Steps that save money for Dunklin County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Missouri license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Dunklin County
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Dunklin County?
$47,849 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 106th of 115 in the state.
How much is rent in Dunklin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $648 a month; 39% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Dunklin County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Kennett, Malden, Campbell, Senath, Clarkton and 8 more.
Is the fit check different in Dunklin County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Dunklin County?
Start with the Missouri Division of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.