1st Advantage MortgageAbout 64% of New Madrid County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $51,881. 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
- Who lives in New Madrid County
- Housing costs in New Madrid County
- What New Madrid County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in New Madrid County
- Counties near New Madrid County
- Towns and communities in New Madrid County
- What a median New Madrid County budget can carry
- Before borrowing in New Madrid County
- More New Madrid County figures
- Who licenses lenders for New Madrid County residents
- Four steps for New Madrid County borrowers
- More guides for New Madrid County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in New Madrid County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts New Madrid County's population at 15,731; only 64 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. It covers 675 square miles of land, or about 23 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, New Madrid County is not part of any metropolitan area. Portageville is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 2,825 people (18% of the county total).
Housing costs in New Madrid County
A typical New Madrid County rental runs $729 a month including utilities, which is 29% below Missouri. By the Census definition, 43% of New Madrid County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $111,800, or 2.2 years of median income. 64% of New Madrid County households own their home and 36% rent. Median construction year: 1975.
| Housing | New Madrid County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $729/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $111,800 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 11.7% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 11% | n/a |
What New Madrid County households earn
At $51,881, the typical New Madrid County household income is 21% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 93 Missouri counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | New Madrid County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.6% | +11.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.2% | -7.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -4.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of New Madrid County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. 17.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.498 here. None of these numbers decides a New Madrid County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in New Madrid County
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 12%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 6% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for New Madrid County averages 3.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). About 87% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | New Madrid County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.2% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +2.3 pts |
| Public administration | 8.0% | +3.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.2% | -1.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near New Madrid County
Lake County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Scott County, is 32 miles off. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than New Madrid County; Scott County is highest at $62,782 and Lake County lowest at $28,814. The list crosses into Kentucky, Tennessee, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Madrid County | - | $51,881 | $729/mo | 64% |
| Lake County, TN | 20 mi | $28,814 | $532/mo | 48% |
| Stoddard County, MO | 24 mi | $57,957 | $760/mo | 72% |
| Mississippi County, MO | 26 mi | $48,160 | $762/mo | 63% |
| Fulton County, KY | 26 mi | $38,217 | $570/mo | 62% |
| Pemiscot County, MO | 28 mi | $40,089 | $695/mo | 56% |
| Scott County, MO | 32 mi | $62,782 | $873/mo | 71% |
Towns and communities in New Madrid County
The table lists the 14 largest of 14 Census places in New Madrid County, by population. Together all 14 hold about 10,167 people, so roughly 35% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $63,750 at the median in Parma, $32,254 in Morehouse. This guide covers each of the 14 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portageville | city | 2,825 | $52,279 | $764 | 12 mi |
| New Madrid | city | 2,662 | $57,727 | $786 | 6 mi |
| Lilbourn | city | 905 | $40,625 | $646 | 2 mi |
| Morehouse | city | 715 | $32,254 | $475 | 18 mi |
| Gideon | city | 662 | $41,538 | $489 | 17 mi |
| Parma | city | 596 | $63,750 | $575 | 9 mi |
| Matthews | city | 561 | $42,695 | $749 | 12 mi |
| Marston | city | 400 | $35,000 | $682 | 6 mi |
| Risco | city | 288 | $48,000 | $696 | 9 mi |
| Howardville | city | 179 | $13,281 | $375 | 4 mi |
| Canalou | city | 177 | $46,875 | n/a | 11 mi |
| North Lilbourn | village | 95 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
| Catron | town | 59 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
| Tallapoosa | city | 43 | $55,750 | n/a | 11 mi |
What a median New Madrid County budget can carry
New Madrid County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $51,881 a year is $4,323 of gross monthly income
- 17% goes to median rent ($729)
- Under a 40% cap, $1,729 total minus rent leaves $1,000
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in New Madrid County
Where the New Madrid County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
More New Madrid County figures
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. About 11% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | New Madrid County | All of Missouri | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.7% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
Who licenses lenders for New Madrid County residents
The Missouri Division of Finance is the place to verify any lender's Missouri license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Missouri state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for New Madrid County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Missouri borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for New Madrid County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical New Madrid County household make?
About $51,881 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 27% below the Missouri median.
How much is rent in New Madrid County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $729 a month; 43% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the New Madrid County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 14 Census places: Portageville, New Madrid, Lilbourn, Morehouse, Gideon.
Are New Madrid 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 New Madrid 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.