1st Advantage MortgageHowell County households have a median income of $50,993 and median rent of $733 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Howell County, MO: the basics
- What it costs to live in Howell County
- Income in Howell County compared with Missouri
- Work, industries and travel time in Howell County
- Places inside Howell County
- Counties near Howell County
- Howell County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Howell County borrowers
- Budget math at the Howell County median
- Four steps for Howell County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Howell County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Howell County, MO: the basics
Howell County is home to about 40,383 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 29th most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Spread over 927 square miles, that works out to roughly 43.6 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Howell County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (4 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is West Plains, with about 12,441 residents, or 31% of the county.
What it costs to live in Howell County
Renters in Howell County pay a median of $733 a month, 29% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. By the Census definition, 45% of Howell County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $173,000, a typical Howell County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 70%. Half the housing stock was built before 1982.
| Measure | Howell County | Missouri | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $733/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $173,000 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 11% | n/a |
Income in Howell County compared with Missouri
At $50,993, the typical Howell County household income is 22% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Howell County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.3% | +12.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.2% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.9% | -10.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.5% | -5.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Howell County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. 20.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.461 here. A household earning below the $50,993 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Work, industries and travel time in Howell County
The biggest employer of Howell County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 31% of workers, followed by retail trade (11%). Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward education and health care (31% against 24%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 5.0% in Howell County. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. 6.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Howell County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 31.3% | +6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | 0.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.0% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -3.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Howell County
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Howell County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 17,762 people, so roughly 56% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $44,002 at the median in West Plains, $38,942 in Mountain View. Median rent ranges from $424 in Mountain View to $810 in West Plains. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Plains | city | 12,441 | $44,002 | $810 | 3 mi |
| Mountain View | city | 2,658 | $38,942 | $424 | 18 mi |
| Willow Springs | city | 2,279 | $41,406 | $634 | 15 mi |
| Pomona | CDP | 178 | $32,604 | $671 | 7 mi |
| Brandsville | city | 139 | $68,971 | n/a | 14 mi |
| South Fork | CDP | 67 | $65,417 | n/a | 10 mi |
Counties near Howell County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (27 to 38 miles). 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Howell County; Shannon County is highest at $55,222 and Fulton County lowest at $42,241. The list crosses into Arkansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell County | - | $50,993 | $733/mo | 70% |
| Fulton County, AR | 27 mi | $42,241 | $626/mo | 85% |
| Oregon County, MO | 28 mi | $43,069 | $639/mo | 75% |
| Ozark County, MO | 33 mi | $44,163 | $631/mo | 82% |
| Douglas County, MO | 37 mi | $45,985 | $700/mo | 81% |
| Texas County, MO | 38 mi | $50,036 | $665/mo | 77% |
| Shannon County, MO | 38 mi | $55,222 | $574/mo | 80% |
Howell County households compared
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 11.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Howell County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.8% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.7% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.3% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.0% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Howell County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
What the numbers mean for Howell County borrowers
What the Howell County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Howell County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 20% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Howell County borrower sees (free reports).
Budget math at the Howell County median
How much room does a median Howell County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,249 gross per month ($50,993 / 12)
- 17% goes to median rent ($733)
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $967 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Four steps for Howell County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Missouri.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Licensing and complaints for Howell County
The Missouri Division of Finance is the place to verify any lender's Missouri license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Howell County household make?
About $50,993 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 28% below the Missouri median.
Is Howell County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $733 against $1,033 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Howell County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 70% of Howell County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Howell County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers West Plains, Mountain View, Willow Springs, Pomona, Brandsville and 1 more.
Does living in Howell 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 Howell County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.