1st Advantage MortgageAbout 79% of Lucas County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $61,793. 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
- Lucas County at a glance
- Household income in Lucas County
- How Lucas County residents earn a living
- Lucas County housing compared with Iowa
- Lucas County and the counties next door
- Lucas County towns compared
- Lucas County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Lucas County
- Budget math at the Lucas County median
- Checklist for Lucas County applicants
- Lender oversight for Lucas County
- More guides for Lucas County
- Frequently asked questions
Lucas County at a glance
Roughly 8,716 residents live in Lucas County, Iowa, 83rd by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. It covers 431 square miles of land, or about 20 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lucas County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Chariton, with about 4,242 residents, or 49% of the county. With so few households sampled, Lucas County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Household income in Lucas County
Lucas County households have a median income of $61,793 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 90th of 99 in Iowa.
| Band | Lucas County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.2% | +9.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -5.1 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. Census counts 14.9% of Lucas County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.433 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Lucas County median.
How Lucas County residents earn a living
Retail trade employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. Retail trade stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Lucas County averages 5.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.6%). About 82% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Lucas County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 25.3% | +13.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -5.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.4% | -2.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.8% | -1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.7% | -1.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Lucas County housing compared with Iowa
A typical Lucas County rental runs $709 a month including utilities, which is 27% below Iowa. By the Census definition, 19% of Lucas County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $120,200, about 1.9 times the median household income. 79% of Lucas County households own their home and 21% rent. Median construction year: 1962.
| Home costs | Lucas County | Iowa | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $709/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $120,200 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 19% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.0% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Lucas County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Lucas County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (20 to 31 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Lucas County; Warren County is highest at $94,588 and Appanoose County lowest at $54,934.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas County | - | $61,793 | $709/mo | 79% |
| Wayne County, IA | 20 mi | $61,964 | $659/mo | 81% |
| Clarke County, IA | 24 mi | $71,641 | $931/mo | 72% |
| Marion County, IA | 24 mi | $78,680 | $884/mo | 78% |
| Warren County, IA | 24 mi | $94,588 | $973/mo | 82% |
| Monroe County, IA | 24 mi | $70,996 | $798/mo | 81% |
| Appanoose County, IA | 31 mi | $54,934 | $784/mo | 69% |
Lucas County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside Lucas County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 5,300 residents, leaving about 39% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chariton | city | 4,242 | $46,979 | $689 | 2 mi |
| Russell | city | 613 | $44,821 | $589 | 8 mi |
| Williamson | city | 190 | $45,000 | $631 | 5 mi |
| Lucas | city | 145 | $25,500 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Derby | city | 110 | $56,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
Lucas County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 8.0%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Lucas County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.8% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.0% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.3% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Lucas County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 48.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.6% |
| 60+ min | 10.9% |
Borrowing situations common in Lucas County
Based on the Lucas County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 18% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Lucas County budgets.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Consolidating cards in Lucas County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Budget math at the Lucas County median
How much room does a median Lucas County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Lucas County: $5,149
- 14% goes to median rent ($709)
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,505 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checklist for Lucas County applicants
A short checklist for Lucas County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Iowa.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Lucas County
Consumer lenders serving Lucas County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Iowa that is the Iowa Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Lucas County
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lucas County earn?
The median is $61,793; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Lucas County?
$709 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
Should Lucas County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Lucas County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Chariton?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Lucas County, such as Russell, Williamson, Lucas.
Is the fit check different in Lucas County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.