1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in McDonald County is $767 a month against a median household income of $52,375, about 18% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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
- McDonald County in brief
- McDonald County at the extremes
- McDonald County housing compared with Missouri
- McDonald County income bands
- Labor force snapshot: McDonald County
- Regional comparison for McDonald County
- McDonald County towns compared
- Age, degrees and coverage in McDonald County
- Budget math at the McDonald County median
- What the numbers mean for McDonald County borrowers
- Missouri lender licensing
- Steps before you apply in McDonald County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
McDonald County in brief
McDonald County is home to about 23,701 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 46th most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Land area is 539 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 44 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, McDonald County is not part of any metropolitan area. Anderson is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 2,685 people (11% of the county total).
McDonald County at the extremes
Where McDonald County lands at the extremes of Missouri's county rankings:
- Few Missouri counties match McDonald County on the share of mobile homes: 27.8% here, 5.2% for the state, ranking the highest of 115. Repairs on manufactured homes are a common loan purpose; get written quotes.
- McDonald County ranks 4th lowest of 115 Missouri counties for the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 12%, against 32% statewide. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- McDonald County ranks 5th highest of 115 Missouri counties for the uninsured rate: 18.4%, against 8.8% statewide. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
McDonald County housing compared with Missouri
McDonald County rent at the median: $767 a month, utilities in ($1,033 in Missouri). Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. With a median value of $154,700, a typical McDonald County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. In McDonald County, 67% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| McDonald County | Missouri | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile homes | 27.8% | 5.2% | +22.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 46% | -9.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 22% | +3.4 pts |
| Median home value | $154,700 | $230,300 | 33% lower |
| Median gross rent | $767/mo | $1,033/mo | 26% lower |
| Owners | 67% | 68% | -0.8 pts |
McDonald County income bands
McDonald County households have a median income of $52,375 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 91st of 115 in Missouri.
| Yearly household income | McDonald County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +8.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.8% | +3.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.4% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.8% | -5.9 pts |
On the low end, 32% of McDonald County households report under $35,000; at the top, 22% report $100,000-plus. 16.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). None of these numbers decides a McDonald County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Labor force snapshot: McDonald County
The biggest employer of McDonald County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 23% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). McDonald County over-indexes on manufacturing: 23% versus 11% in Missouri. Unemployment in McDonald County, ACS five-year: 6.8%; Missouri: 4.0%. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | McDonald County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.4% | +12.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.2% | +4.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.1% | -8.2 pts |
| Construction | 12.4% | +5.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.1% | -3.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.4% | -0.6 pts |
Self-employed in McDonald County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Regional comparison for McDonald County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 40 miles). Benton County leads the group on income ($93,506), Ottawa County trails ($49,947), and McDonald County out-earns 1 of the six. The list crosses into Arkansas, Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald County | - | $52,375 | $767/mo | 67% |
| Newton County, MO | 19 mi | $66,301 | $817/mo | 77% |
| Benton County, AR | 21 mi | $93,506 | $1,277/mo | 67% |
| Barry County, MO | 29 mi | $58,346 | $766/mo | 77% |
| Ottawa County, OK | 29 mi | $49,947 | $788/mo | 68% |
| Delaware County, OK | 30 mi | $56,676 | $913/mo | 77% |
| Jasper County, MO | 40 mi | $60,694 | $973/mo | 63% |
McDonald County towns compared
9 Census places fall mainly inside McDonald County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 8,563 residents, leaving about 64% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $54,250 at the median in Goodman, $30,978 in Pineville. Rent is cheapest in Southwest City ($622) and steepest in Goodman ($863). This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | city | 2,685 | $53,966 | $731 | 6 mi |
| Noel | city | 1,913 | $41,483 | $641 | 10 mi |
| Goodman | city | 1,092 | $54,250 | $863 | 8 mi |
| Southwest City | town | 992 | $44,625 | $622 | 17 mi |
| Pineville | city | 736 | $30,978 | $640 | 4 mi |
| Lanagan | town | 483 | $49,000 | $678 | 6 mi |
| Jane | town | 292 | $46,250 | $880 | 6 mi |
| Rocky Comfort | CDP | 253 | $66,125 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Ginger Blue | village | 117 | $39,153 | n/a | 7 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Age, degrees and coverage in McDonald County
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. Uninsured, McDonald County: 18.4%; Missouri: 8.8%.
| McDonald County | vs Missouri | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 | -0.8 yrs | -3.3 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.3% | -20.1 pts | -9.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 17.1% | +8.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 18.4% | +9.7 pts | +10.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | -0.9 pts | +0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 8.1% | -5.0 pts | -0.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | +4.2 pts | +3.6 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | +2.8 pts | +2.4 pts |
| Minutes to work | McDonald County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 24.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.8% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Budget math at the McDonald County median
DTI math using McDonald County medians ($52,375 income, $767 rent):
- $4,365 a month: gross income for a household at the McDonald County median
- Rent at the median, $767, takes 18% of that
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,110 a month
A household below the $52,375 median has less room than this, often none.
What the numbers mean for McDonald County borrowers
What the McDonald County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 18% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 28% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Consolidating cards in McDonald County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Missouri lender licensing
No county office licenses personal lenders. For McDonald County, check the Missouri Division of Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Steps before you apply in McDonald County
Before you apply, wherever you live in McDonald County:
- Price the McDonald County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Missouri borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Keep exploring
No city in McDonald County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical McDonald County household make?
About $52,375 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 26% below the Missouri median.
Is McDonald County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $767 against $1,033 statewide, and 36% of renter households are cost-burdened.
How many towns are in McDonald County?
The Census Bureau counts 9 places mainly in the county, led by Anderson, Noel, Goodman, Southwest City, Pineville.
Can McDonald County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Missouri county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a McDonald County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Missouri it is the Missouri Division of Finance.