1st Advantage MortgageStone County households have a median income of $63,520 and median rent of $896 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Stone County
- Income in Stone County compared with Missouri
- Renting and owning in Stone County
- Work, industries and travel time in Stone County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Stone County
- Stone County and the counties next door
- Stone County households compared
- Reading the Stone County data as a borrower
- Debt-to-income at Stone County's medians
- Who licenses lenders for Stone County residents
- Before you sign
- More guides for Stone County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Stone County
Roughly 32,048 residents live in Stone County, Missouri, 37th by population among the state's 115 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 464 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 69 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Stone County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Branson is the biggest of its 12 Census places, at roughly 12,817 people (40% of the county total).
Income in Stone County compared with Missouri
The median household income in Stone County is $63,520; statewide it is $70,702, so Stone County runs 10% below Missouri as a whole.
| Households earning | Stone County | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.5% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.4% | +4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -2.8 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 13.9% of Stone County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.447 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Renting and owning in Stone County
Renters in Stone County pay a median of $896 a month, 13% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $249,000, about 3.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 83% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1992.
| Stone County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $896/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $249,000 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Stone County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Work, industries and travel time in Stone County
The biggest employer of Stone County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by arts, lodging and food service (15%). Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 8% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Stone County averages 7.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.0%). Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 3.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Stone County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.8% | -2.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.9% | +6.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.3% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.9% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.0% | -4.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Stone County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Stone County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 21,887 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $37,132 in Crane to $56,364 in Reeds Spring. Rent is cheapest in Crane ($696) and steepest in Shell Knob ($1,274). This guide covers each of the 12 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branson | city | 12,817 | $51,978 | $961 | 13 mi |
| Kimberling City | city | 2,476 | $49,692 | $864 | 7 mi |
| Crane | city | 1,760 | $37,132 | $696 | 12 mi |
| Shell Knob | CDP | 1,486 | $54,925 | $1,274 | 13 mi |
| Reeds Spring | city | 1,112 | $56,364 | $872 | 4 mi |
| Galena | city | 550 | $48,542 | $856 | 4 mi |
| Branson West | city | 536 | $52,656 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Blue Eye | town | 446 | $32,917 | $844 | 16 mi |
| Indian Point | village | 387 | $58,438 | n/a | 9 mi |
| McCord Bend | village | 138 | $36,250 | $760 | 4 mi |
| Hurley | city | 98 | n/a | $1,080 | 13 mi |
| Coney Island | village | 81 | $51,875 | $1,167 | 11 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Stone County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 36 miles). 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Stone County; Christian County is highest at $83,437 and Carroll County lowest at $54,230. Some neighbors are in Arkansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Stone County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone County | - | $63,520 | $896/mo | 83% |
| Barry County, MO | 21 mi | $58,346 | $766/mo | 77% |
| Christian County, MO | 22 mi | $83,437 | $1,058/mo | 76% |
| Taney County, MO | 24 mi | $56,497 | $926/mo | 67% |
| Carroll County, AR | 29 mi | $54,230 | $856/mo | 77% |
| Lawrence County, MO | 32 mi | $61,215 | $800/mo | 74% |
| Greene County, MO | 36 mi | $61,479 | $989/mo | 57% |
Stone County households compared
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 9.4%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| Residents | Stone County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.6 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.8% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.9% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.9% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.1% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Stone County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.3% |
| 60+ min | 5.7% |
Reading the Stone County data as a borrower
Where the Stone County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Stone County budgets.
- Fixed incomes. Stone County's median age is 54.6. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Debt-to-income at Stone County's medians
How much room does a median Stone County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $63,520 a year is $5,293 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $896 uses 17%
- At 35%, room after rent is $957 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,486 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $896, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Who licenses lenders for Stone County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Stone County borrowers answers to the Missouri Division of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Stone County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Stone County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Missouri borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Stone County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stone County a high-income county?
Its $63,520 median ranks 40th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Stone County?
$896 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Should Stone County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 83% of Stone County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Stone County?
By population: Branson, Kimberling City, Crane, Shell Knob, Reeds Spring. The county has 12 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Stone County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.