1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hickory County household earns $39,390, and 20% 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
- Hickory County by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Hickory County
- How much Hickory County households make
- Jobs and commutes in Hickory County
- Hickory County towns compared
- Hickory County next to its neighbors
- More Hickory County figures
- Reading the Hickory County data as a borrower
- A Hickory County household budget, worked through
- Missouri rules that apply in Hickory County
- Checklist for Hickory County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hickory County by the numbers
Hickory County is home to about 8,585 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 94th most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Spread over 399 square miles, that works out to roughly 21.5 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Hickory County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Hermitage, with about 734 residents, or 9% of the county. With so few households sampled, Hickory County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Rent, home values and ownership in Hickory County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $648 in Hickory County versus $1,033 statewide. By the Census definition, 59% of Hickory County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $176,100, a typical Hickory County house costs 4.5 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 82%.
| Housing | Hickory County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $648/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $176,100 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 54% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 11% | n/a |
Because most Hickory 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How much Hickory County households make
The median household income in Hickory County is $39,390; statewide it is $70,702, so Hickory County runs 44% below Missouri as a whole. In the state ranking that is 115th of 115.
| Yearly household income | Hickory County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 44.8% | +21.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.7% | -0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.7% | -13.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.9% | -6.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 14% of Hickory County households make $100,000 or more, and 45% make less than $35,000. 19.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.475 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Hickory County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Hickory County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 17%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward retail trade (17% against 11%). Averaged over the five survey years, 13.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 27% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Where residents work | Hickory County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | -1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.6% | +5.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +1.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.3% | +0.1 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.
Hickory County towns compared
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Hickory County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 2,212 people, so roughly 74% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermitage | city | 734 | $25,833 | $621 | 1 mi |
| Weaubleau | city | 521 | $30,686 | $545 | 12 mi |
| Cross Timbers | city | 379 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Preston | village | 331 | $40,417 | $577 | 6 mi |
| Wheatland | city | 247 | $18,750 | $542 | 4 mi |
Hickory County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Polk County at 23 miles out to Cedar County at 32. Camden County leads the group on income ($66,387), Cedar County trails ($48,181), and Hickory County out-earns 0 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory County | - | $39,390 | $648/mo | 82% |
| Polk County, MO | 23 mi | $59,647 | $814/mo | 72% |
| Dallas County, MO | 24 mi | $53,464 | $642/mo | 76% |
| Benton County, MO | 25 mi | $52,567 | $773/mo | 84% |
| St. Clair County, MO | 26 mi | $53,043 | $622/mo | 76% |
| Camden County, MO | 31 mi | $66,387 | $876/mo | 82% |
| Cedar County, MO | 32 mi | $48,181 | $767/mo | 74% |
More Hickory County figures
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 13.2%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Indicator | Hickory County | All of Missouri | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.2 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.8% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.7% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.2% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.1% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.8% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 13.8% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Hickory County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 19.2% |
Reading the Hickory County data as a borrower
Based on the Hickory County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Medical bills. 13% of Hickory County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 27% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Hickory County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 27% of Hickory County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 55, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
A Hickory County household budget, worked through
Here is the Hickory County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,282 before taxes
- 20% goes to median rent ($648)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $534 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Hickory County's.
Missouri rules that apply in Hickory County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Hickory County, check the Missouri Division of Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Hickory County applicants
Quick steps for Hickory County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Hickory County earn?
The median is $39,390; 14% earn $100,000 or more and 45% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Hickory County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $648 against $1,033 statewide, and 59% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Hermitage?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Hickory County, such as Weaubleau, Cross Timbers, Preston.
Does living in Hickory County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Hickory County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Hickory County?
Start with the Missouri Division of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.