1st Advantage MortgageThe median Stoddard County household earns $57,957, and 15% 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
- Who lives in Stoddard County
- Income in Stoddard County compared with Missouri
- Stoddard County housing compared with Missouri
- Work, industries and travel time in Stoddard County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Stoddard County
- Budget math at the Stoddard County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Stoddard County
- Who lives in Stoddard County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Stoddard County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Stoddard County's population at 28,470; only 37 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 823 square miles, that works out to roughly 34.6 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 11 Census places inside Stoddard County, Dexter leads by population with about 7,891; 10 of the 11 are incorporated.
Income in Stoddard County compared with Missouri
The median household income in Stoddard County is $57,957; statewide it is $70,702, so Stoddard County runs 18% below Missouri as a whole. Only 65 Missouri counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Stoddard County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.6% | +5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.4% | +4.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.7% | -3.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.4 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. 15.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.426 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Stoddard County median.
Stoddard County housing compared with Missouri
A typical Stoddard County rental runs $760 a month including utilities, which is 26% below Missouri. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 30% of renter households here. With a median value of $143,300, a typical Stoddard County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 72%. Median construction year: 1976.
| Housing | Stoddard County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $760/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $143,300 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.4% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 11% | n/a |
Work, industries and travel time in Stoddard County
The biggest employer of Stoddard County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (14%). Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (6% against 2%). The survey's unemployment rate for Stoddard County averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Stoddard County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.1% | +2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +1.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.2% | -1.0 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 36 miles). 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Stoddard County; Bollinger County is highest at $63,814 and Wayne County lowest at $47,226.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stoddard County | - | $57,957 | $760/mo | 72% |
| New Madrid County, MO | 24 mi | $51,881 | $729/mo | 64% |
| Scott County, MO | 25 mi | $62,782 | $873/mo | 71% |
| Butler County, MO | 27 mi | $49,089 | $780/mo | 65% |
| Bollinger County, MO | 33 mi | $63,814 | $694/mo | 82% |
| Wayne County, MO | 33 mi | $47,226 | $665/mo | 75% |
| Mississippi County, MO | 36 mi | $48,160 | $762/mo | 63% |
Places inside Stoddard County
11 Census places fall mainly inside Stoddard County; the 11 biggest are below. They account for 15,187 residents, leaving about 47% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $59,688 at the median in Advance, $41,838 in Bloomfield. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexter | city | 7,891 | $51,701 | $765 | 4 mi |
| Bloomfield | city | 2,069 | $41,838 | $783 | 3 mi |
| Bernie | city | 1,725 | $48,438 | $768 | 12 mi |
| Advance | city | 1,450 | $59,688 | $706 | 18 mi |
| Puxico | city | 846 | $47,500 | $635 | 14 mi |
| Bell City | city | 496 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Essex | city | 413 | $62,536 | $694 | 5 mi |
| Penermon | village | 102 | $17,625 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Dudley | city | 99 | $50,750 | $638 | 9 mi |
| Grayridge | CDP | 96 | $40,313 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Baker | village | 0 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Budget math at the Stoddard County median
Here is the Stoddard County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,830 a month: gross income for a household at the Stoddard County median
- Rent at the median, $760, takes 16% of that
- $930: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,413 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Stoddard County
A few patterns in the Stoddard County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Consolidating cards in Stoddard County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Who lives in Stoddard County, in numbers
17% of Stoddard County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 11.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Stoddard County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.7% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.3% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.2% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.6% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Stoddard County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.8% |
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
Stoddard County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Missouri Division of Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Stoddard County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Stoddard County?
$57,957 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 66th of 115 in the state.
Is Stoddard County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $760 against $1,033 statewide, and 30% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Stoddard County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Stoddard County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Stoddard County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Dexter, Bloomfield, Bernie, Advance, Puxico and 6 more.
Will a Stoddard County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.