1st Advantage MortgageIn Reynolds County, Missouri, the typical household earns $45,028 a year and the typical rent is $655. 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
- Reynolds County, MO: the basics
- The Reynolds County job picture
- How much Reynolds County households make
- Housing costs in Reynolds County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Reynolds County
- The counties around Reynolds County
- A Reynolds County household budget, worked through
- Reynolds County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Reynolds County
- Missouri rules that apply in Reynolds County
- Checklist for Reynolds County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Reynolds County, MO: the basics
Roughly 6,010 residents live in Reynolds County, Missouri, 104th by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 808 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 7 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Reynolds County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Ellington, with about 1,057 residents, or 18% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Reynolds County figure on this page as a rough guide.
The Reynolds County job picture
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 14%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 10.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Only 7.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Reynolds County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.2% | +10.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.1% | -3.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | -0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Reynolds County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Reynolds County households make
Half of Reynolds County households take in less than $45,028 a year and half take in more, 36% below the Missouri median of $70,702. Only 109 Missouri counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Reynolds County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.3% | +13.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.8% | -10.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.6% | -7.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 16% of Reynolds County households make $100,000 or more, and 37% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 17.3%, 5 points higher than the state's 12.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.441 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Reynolds County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Reynolds County
A typical Reynolds County rental runs $655 a month including utilities, which is 37% below Missouri. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 24% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $151,700, about 3.4 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 80%.
| Home costs | Reynolds County | Missouri | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $655/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $151,700 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 22% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Reynolds 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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Reynolds County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Reynolds County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 1,637 residents, leaving about 73% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Reynolds County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellington | city | 1,057 | $36,205 | $674 | 9 mi |
| Bunker | city | 336 | $23,750 | $477 | 15 mi |
| Centerville | city | 244 | $37,321 | $335 | 5 mi |
The counties around Reynolds County
Six nearby counties, 23 to 35 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. All of the six report a higher median household income than Reynolds County; Dent County is highest at $56,312 and Wayne County lowest at $47,226.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reynolds County | - | $45,028 | $655/mo | 80% |
| Iron County, MO | 23 mi | $48,850 | $664/mo | 75% |
| Shannon County, MO | 27 mi | $55,222 | $574/mo | 80% |
| Carter County, MO | 29 mi | $50,000 | $656/mo | 61% |
| Dent County, MO | 33 mi | $56,312 | $660/mo | 76% |
| Wayne County, MO | 34 mi | $47,226 | $665/mo | 75% |
| Madison County, MO | 35 mi | $54,434 | $808/mo | 74% |
A Reynolds County household budget, worked through
Here is the Reynolds County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $3,752 gross per month ($45,028 / 12)
- Median rent: $655, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $696 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Reynolds County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reynolds County residents: age, schooling, coverage
15% of Reynolds County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 12.2%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| People and households | Reynolds County | Missouri | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.1 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.0% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.7% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.2% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.4% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.7% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.3% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 10.9% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Reynolds County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 11.1% |
Before borrowing in Reynolds County
A few patterns in the Reynolds County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Vehicle repairs. 18% of Reynolds County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 19% 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.
Missouri rules that apply in Reynolds County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Reynolds County borrowers answers to the Missouri Division of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Checklist for Reynolds County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Reynolds County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Missouri license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reynolds County a high-income county?
Its $45,028 median ranks 110th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Reynolds County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $655 against $1,033 statewide, and 24% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Reynolds County?
By population: Ellington, Bunker, Centerville. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Can Reynolds 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.
Is there a Reynolds County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Missouri it is the Missouri Division of Finance.