1st Advantage MortgageIn Osage County, Missouri, the typical household earns $76,681 a year and the typical rent is $639. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Osage County
- The Osage County job picture
- Household income in Osage County
- Housing costs in Osage County
- Counties near Osage County
- Places inside Osage County
- Room for a loan payment in Osage County
- Borrowing situations common in Osage County
- More Osage County figures
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- A Osage County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Osage County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Osage County
With an estimated 13,402 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Osage County ranks 73rd of 115 in Missouri for population. Spread over 607 square miles, that works out to roughly 22.1 residents per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Jefferson City, MO metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Linn, with about 1,197 residents, or 9% of the county.
The Osage County job picture
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Osage County residents work in education and health care and 14% in public administration. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 14% locally and 4% for Missouri. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.7% in Osage County. 16% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home.
| Where residents work | Osage County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -4.1 pts |
| Public administration | 14.2% | +9.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.1% | -4.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Osage County
The median household income in Osage County is $76,681; statewide it is $70,702, so Osage County runs 8% above Missouri as a whole.
| Household income | Osage County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.9% | +0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.9% | -3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 31.0% | +5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -2.5 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 37% clear $100,000. 8.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.483 here. None of these numbers decides a Osage County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Osage County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $639 in Osage County versus $1,033 statewide. 38% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. Home values center on $223,300, or 2.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 79%. The median year built is 1982.
| Cost | Osage County | Missouri figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $639/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $223,300 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Osage County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Counties near Osage County
Six nearby counties, 19 to 39 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $56,736 in Miller County to $74,876 in Cole County; none of these neighbors top Osage County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osage County | - | $76,681 | $639/mo | 79% |
| Gasconade County, MO | 19 mi | $64,232 | $743/mo | 81% |
| Maries County, MO | 21 mi | $59,455 | $590/mo | 78% |
| Cole County, MO | 23 mi | $74,876 | $834/mo | 68% |
| Callaway County, MO | 26 mi | $74,176 | $887/mo | 76% |
| Miller County, MO | 35 mi | $56,736 | $763/mo | 74% |
| Montgomery County, MO | 39 mi | $65,500 | $788/mo | 73% |
Places inside Osage County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Osage County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 2,503 residents, leaving about 81% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Osage County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linn | city | 1,197 | $36,176 | $714 | 1 mi |
| Westphalia | city | 415 | $61,136 | $596 | 8 mi |
| Freeburg | village | 401 | $48,125 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Chamois | city | 375 | $39,833 | $640 | 15 mi |
| Meta | city | 115 | $42,708 | $544 | 20 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Osage County
How much room does a median Osage 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, Osage County: $6,390
- Median rent: $639, or 10 cents of every gross dollar
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,917 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Osage County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Borrowing situations common in Osage County
A few patterns in the Osage County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
More Osage County figures
25% of Osage County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 4.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Osage County | Missouri | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.7% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.4% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Osage County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
The Missouri Division of Finance is the place to verify any lender's Missouri license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Missouri guide.
A Osage County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Osage County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Osage County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Osage County
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Osage County household make?
About $76,681 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 8% above the Missouri median.
How does Osage County rent compare with Missouri?
$639 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 38% below.
I own my home in Osage County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Osage County?
By population: Linn, Westphalia, Freeburg, Chamois, Meta. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Are Osage 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.