1st Advantage MortgageThe median Howard County household earns $65,938, and 12% 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
- Howard County, MO: the basics
- What Howard County households earn
- Housing costs in Howard County
- Work, industries and travel time in Howard County
- Howard County towns compared
- How Howard County compares with nearby counties
- More Howard County figures
- Reading the Howard County data as a borrower
- What a median Howard County budget can carry
- Four steps for Howard County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Howard County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Howard County, MO: the basics
Howard County is home to about 10,147 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 85th most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Land area is 464 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 22 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Columbia, MO metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Fayette is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 2,801 people (28% of the county total).
What Howard County households earn
Half of Howard County households take in less than $65,938 a year and half take in more, 7% below the Missouri median of $70,702.
| Band | Howard County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.4% | -1.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.9% | +5.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.1% | -0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -4.1 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 12.0% of Howard County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. None of these numbers decides a Howard County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Howard County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $832 in Howard County versus $1,033 statewide. 42% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,400, about 2.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 79%.
| Howard County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $832/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,400 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Work, industries and travel time in Howard County
The biggest employer of Howard County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 30% of workers, followed by retail trade (10%). Education and health care stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Howard County averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). About 76% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Howard County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.8% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 9.3% | +2.5 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.1% | -2.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Howard County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside Howard County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 5,571 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $57,679 at the median in Fayette, $50,446 in Glasgow. Median rent ranges from $446 in Glasgow to $947 in Fayette. Live in one of these Howard County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayette | city | 2,801 | $57,679 | $947 | 1 mi |
| New Franklin | city | 1,170 | $55,066 | $679 | 9 mi |
| Glasgow | city | 1,118 | $50,446 | $446 | 10 mi |
| Armstrong | city | 416 | $59,063 | $913 | 9 mi |
| Franklin | city | 66 | $55,625 | n/a | 10 mi |
How Howard County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Cooper County at 21 miles out to Moniteau County at 36. Income ranges from $53,033 in Randolph County to $72,758 in Boone County; 3 of these neighbors top Howard County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County | - | $65,938 | $832/mo | 79% |
| Cooper County, MO | 21 mi | $70,625 | $782/mo | 76% |
| Randolph County, MO | 23 mi | $53,033 | $760/mo | 71% |
| Boone County, MO | 23 mi | $72,758 | $1,088/mo | 58% |
| Saline County, MO | 27 mi | $57,931 | $739/mo | 70% |
| Chariton County, MO | 30 mi | $71,520 | $567/mo | 83% |
| Moniteau County, MO | 36 mi | $65,715 | $735/mo | 79% |
More Howard County figures
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. 8.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Howard County | All of Missouri | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.2% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.8% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Howard County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.6% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
Reading the Howard County data as a borrower
What the Howard County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 13% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
What a median Howard County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Howard County's medians:
- $65,938 a year is $5,495 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $832, which is 15% of it
- Under a 43% cap, $2,363 total minus rent leaves $1,531
Two-income households and single earners in Howard County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Four steps for Howard County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Howard County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Howard County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Who licenses lenders for Howard County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Howard County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Missouri guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Howard County a high-income county?
Its $65,938 median ranks 30th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Howard County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $832 a month; 42% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Fayette?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Howard County, such as New Franklin, Glasgow, Armstrong.
Does living in Howard 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 Howard County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Howard 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.