1st Advantage MortgageAbout 82% of Jefferson County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $82,851. 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
- Jefferson County by the numbers
- Jefferson County housing compared with Missouri
- What Jefferson County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Jefferson County
- The counties around Jefferson County
- Places inside Jefferson County
- Debt-to-income at Jefferson County's medians
- Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Jefferson County, in numbers
- Who licenses lenders for Jefferson County residents
- Four steps for Jefferson County borrowers
- More guides for Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
Jefferson County by the numbers
Jefferson County is home to about 229,458 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 7th most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Land area is 656 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 350 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Arnold is the biggest of its 25 Census places, at roughly 20,956 people (9% of the county total).
Jefferson County housing compared with Missouri
Renters in Jefferson County pay a median of $979 a month, 5% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. By the Census definition, 39% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $237,200, or 2.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 82%. The median year built is 1987.
| Jefferson County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $979/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $237,200 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 6% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jefferson County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
What Jefferson County households earn
Half of Jefferson County households take in less than $82,851 a year and half take in more, 17% above the Missouri median of $70,702.
| Income band | Share in Jefferson County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.1% | -6.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.8% | +6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.0% | -0.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 40% of Jefferson County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. 9.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.395 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Jefferson County
The biggest employer of Jefferson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (12%). Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward construction (11% against 7%). The survey's unemployment rate for Jefferson County averages 3.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). About 80% drive to work alone and 24% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.7% of the total (6.6% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jefferson County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.4% | +1.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.9% | +4.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.2% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jefferson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The counties around Jefferson County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 31 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Jefferson County; Monroe County is highest at $102,880 and Washington County lowest at $56,043. Some neighbors are in Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jefferson County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $82,851 | $979/mo | 82% |
| Monroe County, IL | 20 mi | $102,880 | $1,042/mo | 85% |
| St. Louis County, MO | 27 mi | $82,936 | $1,209/mo | 69% |
| Washington County, MO | 29 mi | $56,043 | $684/mo | 78% |
| Franklin County, MO | 31 mi | $73,165 | $893/mo | 77% |
| St. Louis city, MO | 31 mi | $56,160 | $997/mo | 45% |
| St. Francois County, MO | 31 mi | $57,477 | $794/mo | 68% |
Places inside Jefferson County
25 Census places fall mainly inside Jefferson County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 95,350 residents, leaving about 58% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $52,500 in De Soto to $133,083 in LaBarque Creek. Median rent ranges from $809 in De Soto to $1,690 in Herculaneum. This guide covers each of the 25 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold | city | 20,956 | $78,370 | $1,112 | 15 mi |
| Festus | city | 13,201 | $73,532 | $922 | 8 mi |
| Murphy | CDP | 8,285 | $72,233 | $1,056 | 16 mi |
| De Soto | city | 6,470 | $52,500 | $809 | 8 mi |
| Pevely | city | 6,055 | $56,000 | $875 | 8 mi |
| Barnhart | CDP | 5,785 | $95,811 | $1,565 | 9 mi |
| Imperial | CDP | 5,488 | $90,028 | $1,446 | 11 mi |
| Herculaneum | city | 5,071 | $93,438 | $1,690 | 8 mi |
| Crystal City | city | 4,718 | $72,598 | $1,062 | 9 mi |
| High Ridge | CDP | 3,714 | $70,917 | $983 | 14 mi |
| Hillsboro | city | 3,500 | $77,500 | $973 | 2 mi |
| Byrnes Mill | city | 3,189 | $98,576 | $1,137 | 13 mi |
| Raintree Plantation | CDP | 2,047 | $77,532 | n/a | 3 mi |
| LaBarque Creek | CDP | 1,457 | $133,083 | n/a | 13 mi |
Debt-to-income at Jefferson County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Jefferson County's medians:
- $6,904 a month: gross income for a household at the Jefferson County median
- Less median rent of $979, which is 14% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,507 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,990 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $979, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Jefferson County data as a borrower
What the Jefferson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Jefferson County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Who lives in Jefferson County, in numbers
25% of Jefferson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.6%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Jefferson County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.5% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.0% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.2% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 16.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
Who licenses lenders for Jefferson County residents
Consumer lenders serving Jefferson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Missouri that is the Missouri Division of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Jefferson County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Jefferson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Jefferson County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson County a high-income county?
Its $82,851 median ranks 8th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Jefferson County?
$979 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
Does this page cover Arnold?
Yes, along with the other 24 Census places in Jefferson County, such as Festus, Murphy, De Soto.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jefferson County or elsewhere in Missouri, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Jefferson County?
Start with the Missouri Division of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.