1st Advantage MortgageThe median Pemiscot County household earns $40,089, and 30% of residents live below the poverty line. 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 Pemiscot County
- Housing costs in Pemiscot County
- Paychecks and income spread in Pemiscot County
- Employment and commuting in Pemiscot County
- Regional comparison for Pemiscot County
- Towns and communities in Pemiscot County
- Budget math at the Pemiscot County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Pemiscot County
- More Pemiscot County figures
- Who licenses lenders for Pemiscot County residents
- Checklist for Pemiscot County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Pemiscot County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pemiscot County's population at 14,958; only 67 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 493 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 30 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Pemiscot County is not part of any metropolitan area. Caruthersville is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 5,326 people (36% of the county total).
Housing costs in Pemiscot County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $695 in Pemiscot County versus $1,033 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 57% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $97,000, about 2.4 times the median household income. 56% of Pemiscot County households own their home and 44% rent. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Pemiscot County | Missouri | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $695/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $97,000 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 56% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.2% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 11% | n/a |
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?
Paychecks and income spread in Pemiscot County
At $40,089, the typical Pemiscot County household income is 39% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 114th among Missouri's 115 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Pemiscot County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 45.5% | +21.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.4% | -7.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.7% | -9.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -5.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 19% of Pemiscot County households make $100,000 or more, and 45% make less than $35,000. 29.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.519 here. None of these numbers decides a Pemiscot County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Pemiscot County
The biggest employer of Pemiscot County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (9% against 2%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 9.7% in Pemiscot County. About 80% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Pemiscot County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.7% | +5.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.3% | -1.1 pts |
| Other services | 9.8% | +5.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 8.6% | +7.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | +0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Regional comparison for Pemiscot County
Distances run center to center, from Dunklin County at 16 miles out to Mississippi County at 34. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Pemiscot County; Dyer County is highest at $58,154 and Lake County lowest at $28,814. Some neighbors are in Arkansas and Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Pemiscot County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pemiscot County | - | $40,089 | $695/mo | 56% |
| Dunklin County, MO | 16 mi | $47,849 | $648/mo | 62% |
| Lake County, TN | 19 mi | $28,814 | $532/mo | 48% |
| Dyer County, TN | 24 mi | $58,154 | $782/mo | 62% |
| New Madrid County, MO | 28 mi | $51,881 | $729/mo | 64% |
| Lauderdale County, TN | 32 mi | $49,879 | $774/mo | 64% |
| Mississippi County, AR | 34 mi | $52,548 | $830/mo | 60% |
Towns and communities in Pemiscot County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Pemiscot County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 10,707 residents, leaving about 28% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $54,600 at the median in Steele, $20,714 in Hayti Heights. Median rent ranges from $608 in Hayti Heights to $801 in Caruthersville. None of the 13 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caruthersville | city | 5,326 | $34,652 | $801 | 7 mi |
| Hayti | city | 2,090 | $24,881 | $660 | 3 mi |
| Steele | city | 1,493 | $54,600 | $707 | 9 mi |
| Hayti Heights | city | 540 | $20,714 | $608 | 2 mi |
| Wardell | town | 445 | $40,250 | $563 | 10 mi |
| Cooter | city | 285 | $46,250 | $663 | 11 mi |
| Holland | town | 141 | $37,375 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Pascola | village | 87 | $46,071 | $950 | 5 mi |
| Hayward | CDP | 83 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Deering | CDP | 74 | $65,227 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Homestown | city | 64 | $26,042 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Bragg City | town | 54 | $16,250 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Denton | CDP | 25 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Budget math at the Pemiscot County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Pemiscot County's medians:
- $40,089 a year is $3,341 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $695, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- At 36%, room after rent is $508 a month
If your rent is above $695, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Pemiscot County
Where the Pemiscot County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 13% of Pemiscot County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 30% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- 57% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
More Pemiscot County figures
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Pemiscot County | Missouri | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.5% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.3% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 29.6% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Who licenses lenders for Pemiscot County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Pemiscot County borrowers answers to the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Checklist for Pemiscot County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Pemiscot County?
$40,089 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 114th of 115 in the state.
What do renters pay in Pemiscot County?
$695 a month at the median, about 21% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Pemiscot County?
By population: Caruthersville, Hayti, Steele, Hayti Heights, Wardell. The county has 13 Census places in all.
Will a Pemiscot County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Pemiscot County?
Start with the Missouri Division of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.