1st Advantage MortgageAbout 85% of Knox County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $57,788. 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
- Getting oriented in Knox County
- Household income in Knox County
- What it costs to live in Knox County
- Employment and commuting in Knox County
- How Knox County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Knox County
- A Knox County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Knox County
- Knox County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Knox County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Knox County
Roughly 3,756 residents live in Knox County, Missouri, 113th by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 504 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 7 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Edina is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 1,250 people (33% of the county total). Because Knox County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Knox County
At $57,788, the typical Knox County household income is 12% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 69th of 115.
| Household income | Knox County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +8.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.0% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.0% | -9.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -3.6 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 21% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 11.9%, 1 point lower than the state's 12.6%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Knox County median.
What it costs to live in Knox County
Renters in Knox County pay a median of $666 a month, 36% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. By the Census definition, 21% of Knox County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $101,400, about 1.8 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 85%. Median construction year: 1965.
| Knox County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $666/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $101,400 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 21% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.4% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Knox 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.
Employment and commuting in Knox County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Knox County residents work in retail trade and 20% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 17% locally and 2% for Missouri. The survey's unemployment rate for Knox County averages 1.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 22% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Knox County workers | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 20.5% | +9.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.0% | -4.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.6% | +15.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 9.8% | +3.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 3.8% | -3.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Knox County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How Knox County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Scotland County at 21 miles out to Schuyler County at 30. Income ranges from $51,594 in Shelby County to $68,913 in Scotland County; 4 of these neighbors top Knox County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox County | - | $57,788 | $666/mo | 85% |
| Scotland County, MO | 21 mi | $68,913 | $511/mo | 82% |
| Lewis County, MO | 22 mi | $59,934 | $644/mo | 76% |
| Shelby County, MO | 24 mi | $51,594 | $625/mo | 77% |
| Adair County, MO | 24 mi | $61,536 | $772/mo | 61% |
| Clark County, MO | 29 mi | $51,781 | $612/mo | 78% |
| Schuyler County, MO | 30 mi | $61,205 | $382/mo | 80% |
The communities that make up Knox County
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Knox County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 1,704 people, so roughly 55% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Knox County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edina | city | 1,250 | $42,396 | $655 | 3 mi |
| Hurdland | city | 173 | $34,125 | $742 | 8 mi |
| Knox City | city | 103 | $43,750 | $656 | 7 mi |
| Newark | village | 75 | $68,000 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Novelty | village | 63 | $69,167 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Baring | city | 40 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Plevna | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
A Knox County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Knox County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,816 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $666 uses 14%
- $1,405: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Borrowing situations common in Knox County
Where the Knox County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 25% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Knox County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Knox County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. About 25% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Knox County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.9% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 25.5% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 22.4% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.1% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 1.9% |
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Knox County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Knox County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Missouri borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Lender oversight for Knox County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Knox County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Knox County a high-income county?
Its $57,788 median ranks 69th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Knox County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $666 a month; 21% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Knox County?
By population: Edina, Hurdland, Knox City, Newark, Novelty. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Are Knox County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Knox 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.