1st Advantage MortgageThe median Ralls County household earns $65,388, and 11% 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
- Ralls County at a glance
- Income in Ralls County compared with Missouri
- Jobs and commutes in Ralls County
- Ralls County housing compared with Missouri
- The counties around Ralls County
- Towns and communities in Ralls County
- Room for a loan payment in Ralls County
- Before borrowing in Ralls County
- People and households in Ralls County
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Ralls County at a glance
Roughly 10,428 residents live in Ralls County, Missouri, 84th by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. It covers 470 square miles of land, or about 22 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Ralls County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (6 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Hannibal, with about 16,771 residents, or 161% of the county.
Income in Ralls County compared with Missouri
Half of Ralls County households take in less than $65,388 a year and half take in more, 8% below the Missouri median of $70,702. Only 32 Missouri counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Ralls County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.8% | +0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.5% | +4.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.8% | -0.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -3.8 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. 11.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.410 here. A household earning below the $65,388 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Ralls County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 14%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (6% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Ralls County averages 4.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Ralls County workers | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 7.0% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -1.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.4% | +4.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Ralls County housing compared with Missouri
Renters in Ralls County pay a median of $749 a month, 27% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. 28% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 9% spend half or more. Home values center on $168,200, or 2.6 years of median income. 86% of Ralls County households own their home and 14% rent. Median construction year: 1980.
| Housing | Ralls County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $749/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $168,200 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 86% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 28% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.8% | 5.2% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The counties around Ralls County
Marion County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Shelby County, is 34 miles off. Marion County leads the group on income ($62,903), Shelby County trails ($51,594), and Ralls County out-earns 6 of the six. Some neighbors are in Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Ralls County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralls County | - | $65,388 | $749/mo | 86% |
| Marion County, MO | 19 mi | $62,903 | $808/mo | 69% |
| Pike County, MO | 24 mi | $54,989 | $778/mo | 73% |
| Monroe County, MO | 26 mi | $54,516 | $689/mo | 74% |
| Audrain County, MO | 29 mi | $59,448 | $693/mo | 72% |
| Pike County, IL | 34 mi | $59,777 | $676/mo | 78% |
| Shelby County, MO | 34 mi | $51,594 | $625/mo | 77% |
Towns and communities in Ralls County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Ralls County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 22,521 residents, leaving about 0% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $50,313 in Vandalia to $63,021 in New London. No Ralls County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hannibal | city | 16,771 | $53,721 | $805 | 13 mi |
| Vandalia | city | 3,140 | $50,313 | $814 | 17 mi |
| New London | city | 1,130 | $63,021 | $755 | 7 mi |
| Perry | city | 640 | $50,795 | $550 | 11 mi |
| Center | city | 537 | $59,375 | $400 | 3 mi |
| Rensselaer | village | 243 | $77,750 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Saverton | CDP | 60 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Room for a loan payment in Ralls County
Here is the Ralls County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,449 a month: gross income for a household at the Ralls County median
- 14% goes to median rent ($749)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,213 a month
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,594 a month
If your rent is above $749, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in Ralls County
Based on the Ralls County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 17% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
People and households in Ralls County
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. 5.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Ralls County | All of Missouri | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.0% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Ralls County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Ralls County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
Ralls County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Missouri state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ralls County a high-income county?
Its $65,388 median ranks 33rd of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Ralls County?
$749 a month at the median, about 14% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Ralls County?
By population: Hannibal, Vandalia, New London, Perry, Center. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Ralls County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Ralls County check a lender's license?
With the Missouri Division of Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.