1st Advantage MortgageNewton County (60,118 residents) has a $66,301 median household income and $817 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. For a Newton County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the Missouri license.
On this page
- Newton County by the numbers
- Labor force snapshot: Newton County
- Newton County income bands
- How Newton County ranks in Missouri
- The Newton County housing market in figures
- Places inside Newton County
- Regional comparison for Newton County
- Local borrowing considerations for Newton County
- Newton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Room for a loan payment in Newton County
- Four steps for Newton County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- More guides for Newton County
- Frequently asked questions
Newton County by the numbers
With an estimated 60,118 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Newton County ranks 19th of 115 in Missouri for population. It covers 625 square miles of land, or about 96 people per square mile. Newton County counts toward the Joplin, MO-KS metro in the 2023 OMB delineation, so regional figures for Joplin, MO-KS include it. Neosho (13,224 people) heads the county's list of 19 Census places, 19 incorporated and 0 census-designated.
Labor force snapshot: Newton County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Newton County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward manufacturing (19% against 11%). 5.9% of Newton County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 34% of Newton County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 9% need 45 or more. Households without a car make up 3.9% of the total (6.6% statewide).
| Where residents work | Newton County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.4% | -3.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.2% | +8.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | -2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Newton County income bands
Median household income in Newton County: $66,301 (6% below Missouri, $70,702).
| Yearly household income | Newton County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.0% | -0.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.7% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.2% | -3.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -2.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Newton County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. Newton County counts about 8,104 residents below the poverty line, 13.5% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.442 here. For a borrower in Newton County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
How Newton County ranks in Missouri
The 3 Newton County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Missouri, and what each means for a borrower:
- Newton County ranks 9th highest of 115 Missouri counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 5.9%, against 4.0% statewide. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
- Population: 60,118 in Newton County. Only 18 of 115 Missouri counties are higher. More people usually means more banks and credit unions to compare nearby.
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Newton County sits near the bottom of Missouri at 9%, 22nd lowest of 115. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
The Newton County housing market in figures
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $817 in Newton County versus $1,033 statewide. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 38% in Newton County, 46% statewide. With a median value of $190,700, a typical Newton County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 77%, renters 23%. The median year built is 1984. Nationally, Newton County's $817 rent is 7% below the middle county.
| Measure | Newton County | Missouri | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 77% | 68% | +8.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 13.4% | 5.2% | +8.2 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 46% | -8.0 pts |
| Median gross rent | $817/mo | $1,033/mo | 21% lower |
| Median home value | $190,700 | $230,300 | 17% lower |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | +1.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 11% | 11% | -0.2 pts |
At a $190,700 median value, many Newton County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Places inside Newton County
19 Census places fall mainly inside Newton County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 23,103 residents, leaving about 62% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $97,813 at the median in Leawood, $46,023 in Seneca. Median rent ranges from $745 in Neosho to $902 in Seneca. No Newton County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 19.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neosho | city | 13,224 | $57,891 | $745 | 5 mi |
| Granby | city | 2,745 | $48,864 | $846 | 4 mi |
| Seneca | city | 1,906 | $46,023 | $902 | 16 mi |
| Loma Linda | town | 1,239 | $92,292 | $879 | 15 mi |
| Diamond | town | 914 | $73,587 | $863 | 6 mi |
| Leawood | village | 512 | $97,813 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Shoal Creek Drive | village | 485 | $99,583 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Fairview | town | 371 | $67,083 | $858 | 15 mi |
| Saginaw | village | 332 | $58,269 | $1,097 | 11 mi |
| Stella | town | 275 | $42,500 | $675 | 13 mi |
| Newtonia | town | 244 | $65,714 | $850 | 9 mi |
| Shoal Creek Estates | village | 218 | $81,250 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Grand Falls Plaza | town | 168 | $59,583 | $1,563 | 14 mi |
| Stark City | town | 133 | $56,750 | $1,069 | 9 mi |
Regional comparison for Newton County
Six nearby counties, 19 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Lawrence County, $61,215. Poorest: Ottawa County, $49,947. Newton County: $66,301. The list crosses into Kansas, Oklahoma, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton County | - | $66,301 | $817/mo | 77% |
| McDonald County, MO | 19 mi | $52,375 | $767/mo | 67% |
| Jasper County, MO | 21 mi | $60,694 | $973/mo | 63% |
| Ottawa County, OK | 26 mi | $49,947 | $788/mo | 68% |
| Lawrence County, MO | 31 mi | $61,215 | $800/mo | 74% |
| Barry County, MO | 31 mi | $58,346 | $766/mo | 77% |
| Cherokee County, KS | 33 mi | $57,668 | $799/mo | 76% |
Local borrowing considerations for Newton County
Based on the Newton County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Newton County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 13% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Newton County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 12.7%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Newton County | vs Missouri | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.5% | -8.9 pts | +1.4 pts |
| Work from home | 8.6% | -4.4 pts | -0.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 12.7% | +4.0 pts | +4.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | -2.8 pts | -1.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.5% | +2.3 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | +1.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
| Median age | 40.2 | +1.2 yrs | -1.3 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | +0.9 pts | +0.3 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Newton County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.7% |
Room for a loan payment in Newton County
How much room does a median Newton 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, Newton County: $5,525
- 15% goes to median rent ($817)
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,117 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,669 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Four steps for Newton County borrowers
Steps that save money for Newton County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- 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.
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
Before sharing details with a lender, a Newton County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. Nationally, Newton County residents can file with the CFPB.
More guides for Newton County
Next step up from Newton County:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Newton County?
$66,301 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 29th of 115 in the state.
How much is rent in Newton County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $817 a month; 38% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Newton County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Newton County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
How many towns are in Newton County?
The Census Bureau counts 19 places mainly in the county, led by Neosho, Granby, Seneca, Loma Linda, Diamond.
Will a Newton County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.