1st Advantage MortgageThe median Pettis County household earns $60,430, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Missouri before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Pettis County
- The Pettis County job picture
- Income in Pettis County compared with Missouri
- Pettis County housing compared with Missouri
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Pettis County towns compared
- Who lives in Pettis County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Pettis County borrowers
- What a median Pettis County budget can carry
- Steps before you apply in Pettis County
- Lender oversight for Pettis County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Pettis County
Roughly 43,397 residents live in Pettis County, Missouri, 26th by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. It covers 682 square miles of land, or about 64 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Pettis County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Sedalia, with about 22,003 residents, or 51% of the county.
The Pettis County job picture
The biggest employer of Pettis County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by manufacturing (20%). Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward manufacturing (20% against 11%). The survey's unemployment rate for Pettis County averages 3.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). About 76% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Pettis County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.8% | -2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.5% | +8.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.8% | -3.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Income in Pettis County compared with Missouri
The median household income in Pettis County is $60,430; statewide it is $70,702, so Pettis County runs 15% below Missouri as a whole.
| Household income | Pettis County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.0% | +2.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.4% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.6% | -2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -5.6 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. 15.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). A household earning below the $60,430 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Pettis County housing compared with Missouri
A typical Pettis County rental runs $885 a month including utilities, which is 14% below Missouri. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. With a median value of $166,300, a typical Pettis County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 69% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1974.
| Housing | Pettis County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $885/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $166,300 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.8% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 11% | n/a |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 27 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Cooper County leads the group on income ($70,625), Benton County trails ($52,567), and Pettis County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pettis County | - | $60,430 | $885/mo | 69% |
| Cooper County, MO | 27 mi | $70,625 | $782/mo | 76% |
| Johnson County, MO | 28 mi | $67,272 | $932/mo | 64% |
| Saline County, MO | 29 mi | $57,931 | $739/mo | 70% |
| Benton County, MO | 29 mi | $52,567 | $773/mo | 84% |
| Morgan County, MO | 31 mi | $53,412 | $721/mo | 80% |
| Henry County, MO | 36 mi | $57,926 | $768/mo | 75% |
Pettis County towns compared
6 Census places fall mainly inside Pettis County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 24,528 residents, leaving about 43% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $50,990 in Sedalia to $65,648 in La Monte. Median rent ranges from $778 in La Monte to $929 in Smithton. Live in one of these Pettis County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedalia | city | 22,003 | $50,990 | $877 | 3 mi |
| La Monte | city | 1,126 | $65,648 | $778 | 8 mi |
| Smithton | city | 535 | $55,288 | $929 | 11 mi |
| Green Ridge | city | 496 | $62,974 | $1,057 | 10 mi |
| Houstonia | city | 273 | $39,337 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Hughesville | village | 95 | $51,250 | n/a | 8 mi |
Who lives in Pettis County, in numbers
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 12.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Pettis County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.4% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.4% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.3% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.6% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
What the numbers mean for Pettis County borrowers
Where the Pettis County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 13% of Pettis County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
What a median Pettis County budget can carry
Here is the Pettis County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,036 a month: gross income for a household at the Pettis County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($885)
- Under a 35% cap, $1,763 total minus rent leaves $878
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,381 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Steps before you apply in Pettis County
A short checklist for Pettis County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Pettis County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Pettis County, check the Missouri Division of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pettis County a high-income county?
Its $60,430 median ranks 57th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Pettis County rent compare with Missouri?
$885 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 14% below.
What are the biggest places in Pettis County?
By population: Sedalia, La Monte, Smithton, Green Ridge, Houstonia. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Can Pettis County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Missouri county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Pettis County?
Start with the Missouri Division of Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.