1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Mississippi County is $762 a month against a median household income of $48,160, about 19% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Mississippi County, MO: the basics
- What it costs to live in Mississippi County
- Employment and commuting in Mississippi County
- Mississippi County income bands
- What stands out in Mississippi County
- Mississippi County and the counties next door
- Charleston and the rest of Mississippi County
- More Mississippi County figures
- Before borrowing in Mississippi County
- Room for a loan payment in Mississippi County
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Mississippi County
- Beyond Mississippi County
- Frequently asked questions
Mississippi County, MO: the basics
With an estimated 11,902 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Mississippi County ranks 76th of 115 in Missouri for population. It covers 412 square miles of land, or about 29 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Mississippi County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 8 Census places inside Mississippi County, Charleston leads by population with about 4,482; 7 of the 8 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Mississippi County
Mississippi County rent at the median: $762 a month, utilities in ($1,033 in Missouri). Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. Home values center on $109,000, or 2.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 63% of homes. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Mississippi County | Missouri | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $109,000 | $230,300 | 53% lower |
| Owners | 63% | 68% | -5.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 9.7% | 5.2% | +4.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $762/mo | $1,033/mo | 26% lower |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | -1.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 46% | +0.4 pts |
Employment and commuting in Mississippi County
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Mississippi County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 9% locally and 2% for Missouri. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 8%; under 15 minutes: 34%.
| Sector | Mississippi County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 9.3% | +7.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.1% | -3.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.2% | +1.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Mississippi County income bands
Median household income in Mississippi County: $48,160 (32% below Missouri, $70,702).
| Band | Mississippi County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.5% | +16.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.9% | -4.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.1% | -6.6 pts |
41% under $35,000 and 22% at $100,000 or more: that is the Mississippi County income split. Census counts 19.0% of Mississippi County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.432 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 Mississippi County median.
What stands out in Mississippi County
Where Mississippi County lands at the extremes of Missouri's county rankings:
- Households without a vehicle: 14.4% in Mississippi County. Only 1 of 115 Missouri counties are higher. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- Mississippi County ranks 9th lowest of 115 Missouri counties for median home value: $109,000, against $230,300 statewide. Lower values mean less equity to tap, so unsecured loans are the usual route.
- Mississippi County ranks 12th lowest of 115 Missouri counties for median household income: $48,160, against $70,702 statewide. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
Mississippi County and the counties next door
Carlisle County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Alexander County, is 25 miles off. Income ranges from $38,217 in Fulton County to $66,164 in Ballard County; 4 of these neighbors top Mississippi County's median. Some neighbors are in Illinois and Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Mississippi County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi County | - | $48,160 | $762/mo | 63% |
| Carlisle County, KY | 18 mi | $62,439 | $792/mo | 80% |
| Fulton County, KY | 20 mi | $38,217 | $570/mo | 62% |
| Hickman County, KY | 21 mi | $60,867 | $718/mo | 71% |
| Scott County, MO | 21 mi | $62,782 | $873/mo | 71% |
| Ballard County, KY | 22 mi | $66,164 | $817/mo | 76% |
| Alexander County, IL | 25 mi | $47,043 | $656/mo | 78% |
Charleston and the rest of Mississippi County
Places, by size: the top 8 of 8. Roughly 26% of Mississippi County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Bertrand ($54,688) and Charleston ($33,952) mark the top and bottom of Mississippi County's income range among larger places. From Charleston to the smallest crossroads, Mississippi County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | city | 4,482 | $33,952 | $774 | 7 mi |
| East Prairie | city | 2,902 | $34,637 | $750 | 6 mi |
| Bertrand | city | 732 | $54,688 | $650 | 10 mi |
| Wyatt | city | 243 | $24,773 | $598 | 12 mi |
| Anniston | town | 241 | n/a | $670 | 2 mi |
| Whiting | CDP | 179 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Wilson City | village | 79 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Pinhook | village | 0 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
More Mississippi County figures
15% of Mississippi County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Uninsured, Mississippi County: 10.9%; Missouri: 8.8%.
| Measure | Mississippi County | Gap to Missouri | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.7% | -17.7 pts | -7.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 16.4% | +8.2 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 4.9% | -8.1 pts | -3.8 pts |
| No vehicle | 14.4% | +7.7 pts | +8.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 19.0% | +6.5 pts | +5.9 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.9% | +2.2 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Median age | 41.1 | +2.1 yrs | -0.4 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | -1.3 pts | -1.7 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Before borrowing in Mississippi County
What the Mississippi County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Mississippi County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Help that costs nothing. About 2,266 Mississippi County residents live in poverty; see free options before a loan.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Room for a loan payment in Mississippi County
Mississippi County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,013 before taxes
- Less median rent of $762, which is 19% of it
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $843 left for all other debt payments
These are gross figures; take-home pay in Mississippi County will be lower after taxes and deductions.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Mississippi County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Mississippi County
Consumer lenders serving Mississippi County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Missouri that is the Missouri Division of Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Missouri page has statewide figures to set beside Mississippi County's.
Beyond Mississippi County
No city in Mississippi County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $48,160 a good income in Mississippi County?
It is the county median, so half of Mississippi County households earn more and half less; 22% earn $100,000 or more.
What is the median rent in Mississippi County, MO?
$762 a month, utilities included, or $9,144 a year.
Does this page cover Charleston?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Mississippi County, such as East Prairie, Bertrand, Wyatt.
Is the fit check different in Mississippi County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Mississippi County check a lender's license?
With the Missouri Division of Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.