1st Advantage MortgageThe median Oregon County household earns $43,069, and 24% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- A quick profile of Oregon County
- Household income in Oregon County
- The Oregon County job picture
- Housing costs in Oregon County
- Towns and communities in Oregon County
- How Oregon County compares with nearby counties
- More Oregon County figures
- Before borrowing in Oregon County
- Room for a loan payment in Oregon County
- Steps before you apply in Oregon County
- Lender oversight for Oregon County
- More guides for Oregon County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Oregon County
Roughly 8,673 residents live in Oregon County, Missouri, 93rd by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 790 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Oregon County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Oregon County, Thayer leads by population with about 2,333; 3 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Oregon County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Oregon County
The median household income in Oregon County is $43,069; statewide it is $70,702, so Oregon County runs 39% below Missouri as a whole. Only 111 Missouri counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Oregon County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.5% | +17.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.5% | -1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.9% | -10.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.1% | -6.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 17% of Oregon County households make $100,000 or more, and 42% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 23.6%, 11 points higher than the state's 12.6%. A household earning below the $43,069 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Oregon County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 15%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (5% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Oregon County averages 5.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.7% of the total (6.6% statewide).
| Sector | Oregon County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.6% | +3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +2.3 pts |
| Other services | 7.2% | +2.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Housing costs in Oregon County
A typical Oregon County rental runs $639 a month including utilities, which is 38% below Missouri. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 59% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,300, about 2.6 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 75%. Median construction year: 1978.
| Oregon County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $639/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $113,300 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 59% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.3% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 22% | 11% | n/a |
Because most Oregon 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Towns and communities in Oregon County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Oregon County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 3,283 people, so roughly 62% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Oregon County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thayer | city | 2,333 | $37,417 | $627 | 14 mi |
| Alton | city | 744 | $50,208 | $639 | 1 mi |
| Koshkonong | town | 198 | $28,182 | $743 | 15 mi |
| Thomasville | CDP | 8 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
How Oregon County compares with nearby counties
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Oregon County's, from 28 to 32 miles away. Shannon County leads the group on income ($55,222), Ripley County trails ($42,037), and Oregon County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Arkansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Oregon County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon County | - | $43,069 | $639/mo | 75% |
| Howell County, MO | 28 mi | $50,993 | $733/mo | 70% |
| Ripley County, MO | 29 mi | $42,037 | $654/mo | 79% |
| Carter County, MO | 31 mi | $50,000 | $656/mo | 61% |
| Fulton County, AR | 31 mi | $42,241 | $626/mo | 85% |
| Randolph County, AR | 32 mi | $50,911 | $674/mo | 74% |
| Shannon County, MO | 32 mi | $55,222 | $574/mo | 80% |
More Oregon County figures
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 16.3%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Indicator | Oregon County | All of Missouri | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.3% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.5% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.6% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.2% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Oregon County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 5.9% |
Before borrowing in Oregon County
A few patterns in the Oregon County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Hospital bills in Oregon County. For the 16% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Mobile home upkeep. 17% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Free help first. 24% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Rent squeeze. 59% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Room for a loan payment in Oregon County
Here is the Oregon County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,589 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $639, takes 18% of that
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $904 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Steps before you apply in Oregon County
Quick steps for Oregon County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Oregon County
Consumer lenders serving Oregon County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Missouri that is the Missouri Division of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Oregon County
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Oregon County household make?
About $43,069 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 39% below the Missouri median.
What do renters pay in Oregon County?
$639 a month at the median, about 18% of median household income.
Does this page cover Thayer?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Oregon County, such as Alton, Koshkonong, Thomasville.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Oregon County or elsewhere in Missouri, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Oregon 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.