1st Advantage MortgageIn Johnson County, Missouri, the typical household earns $67,272 a year and the typical rent is $932. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Missouri license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Johnson County
- Work, industries and travel time in Johnson County
- Household income in Johnson County
- Housing costs in Johnson County
- Regional comparison for Johnson County
- The communities that make up Johnson County
- More Johnson County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Johnson County
- A Johnson County household budget, worked through
- Lender oversight for Johnson County
- A Johnson County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Johnson County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Johnson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Johnson County's population at 54,732; only 20 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. It covers 829 square miles of land, or about 66 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Johnson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 9 Census places inside Johnson County, Warrensburg leads by population with about 19,582; 7 of the 9 are incorporated.
Work, industries and travel time in Johnson County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Johnson County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Education and health care stands out: 27% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Johnson County averages 4.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). About 79% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Johnson County workers | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.0% | +2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.5% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +1.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -3.6 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.
Household income in Johnson County
Johnson County households have a median income of $67,272 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 26th of 115 in Missouri.
| Households earning | Johnson County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.9% | -2.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 50.0% | +7.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.7% | -0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -4.3 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 29% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 11.8% of Johnson County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Johnson County median.
Housing costs in Johnson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $932 in Johnson County versus $1,033 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $235,700, about 3.5 times the median household income. 64% of Johnson County households own their home and 36% rent. Median construction year: 1990.
| Housing | Johnson County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $932/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $235,700 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.1% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 11% | n/a |
Regional comparison for Johnson County
Lafayette County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Ray County, is 40 miles off. Cass County leads the group on income ($87,535), Henry County trails ($57,926), and Johnson County out-earns 2 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County | - | $67,272 | $932/mo | 64% |
| Lafayette County, MO | 23 mi | $80,612 | $928/mo | 76% |
| Henry County, MO | 25 mi | $57,926 | $768/mo | 75% |
| Pettis County, MO | 28 mi | $60,430 | $885/mo | 69% |
| Cass County, MO | 30 mi | $87,535 | $1,205/mo | 76% |
| Jackson County, MO | 34 mi | $68,577 | $1,197/mo | 59% |
| Ray County, MO | 40 mi | $74,573 | $782/mo | 77% |
The communities that make up Johnson County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Johnson County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 29,558 residents, leaving about 46% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $51,917 in Leeton to $63,056 in Holden. Median rent ranges from $809 in Holden to $1,306 in Whiteman AFB. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrensburg | city | 19,582 | $57,067 | $921 | 5 mi |
| Whiteman AFB | CDP | 3,517 | $54,641 | $1,306 | 14 mi |
| Knob Noster | city | 2,838 | $62,353 | $826 | 13 mi |
| Holden | city | 1,989 | $63,056 | $809 | 10 mi |
| Leeton | city | 660 | $51,917 | $870 | 13 mi |
| Kingsville | city | 360 | $67,171 | $874 | 14 mi |
| Centerview | city | 248 | $60,000 | $688 | 2 mi |
| Chilhowee | town | 232 | $56,458 | $725 | 11 mi |
| La Tour | CDP | 132 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
More Johnson County figures
29% of Johnson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Johnson County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.1% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.5% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.2% |
| 60+ min | 9.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Johnson County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Johnson County borrowers.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
A Johnson County household budget, worked through
Johnson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,606 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $932 uses 17%
- $1,086: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,479 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Lender oversight for Johnson County
Johnson County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Missouri Division of Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
A Johnson County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Johnson County residents:
- Price the Johnson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Johnson County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Johnson County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Johnson County household make?
About $67,272 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 5% below the Missouri median.
How much is rent in Johnson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $932 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Johnson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Warrensburg, Whiteman AFB, Knob Noster, Holden, Leeton and 4 more.
Is the fit check different in Johnson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Johnson County residents?
The Missouri Division of Finance licenses consumer lenders in Missouri; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.