1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Vernon County is $734 a month against a median household income of $52,230, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Vernon County offer.
On this page
- Vernon County at a glance
- How much Vernon County households make
- Where Vernon County differs from the rest of Missouri
- Renting and owning in Vernon County
- Employment and commuting in Vernon County
- The counties around Vernon County
- Vernon County communities by population
- $4,352 a month: the Vernon County median budget
- Age, degrees and coverage in Vernon County
- Local borrowing considerations for Vernon County
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Vernon County
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Vernon County at a glance
With an estimated 19,687 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Vernon County ranks 56th of 115 in Missouri for population. It covers 826 square miles of land, or about 24 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Vernon County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 12 Census places inside Vernon County, Nevada leads by population with about 7,925; 12 of the 12 are incorporated.
How much Vernon County households make
Half of Vernon County households take in less than $52,230 a year and half take in more, 26% below the Missouri median of $70,702.
| Household income | Vernon County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.8% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 51.1% | +8.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.5% | -7.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.7% | -7.0 pts |
Some 30% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 19% have six-figure incomes. Vernon County counts about 3,699 residents below the poverty line, 18.8% of the population. For a borrower in Vernon 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.
Where Vernon County differs from the rest of Missouri
- Few Missouri counties match Vernon County on households without a vehicle: 11.4% here, 6.6% for the state, ranking 4th highest of 115. Without a car, transit and ride costs belong in the budget before any payment.
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Vernon County sits near the bottom of Missouri at 19%, 13th lowest of 115. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
- Vernon County ranks 14th highest of 115 Missouri counties for the share of workers who work from home: 11.8%, against 13.0% statewide. Remote and self-employed income may need tax returns as proof.
Renting and owning in Vernon County
$734 a month is the median gross rent in Vernon County, 29% below the state. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 35% in Vernon County, 46% statewide. Home values center on $158,800, or 3.0 years of median income. In Vernon County, 71% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median home was built in 1976, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Nationally, Vernon County's $734 rent is 16% below the middle county.
| Measure | Vernon County | Missouri | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burdened owners | 33% | 22% | +11.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 46% | -11.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 9.8% | 5.2% | +4.7 pts |
| Owners | 71% | 68% | +3.2 pts |
| Median home value | $158,800 | $230,300 | 31% lower |
| Median gross rent | $734/mo | $1,033/mo | 29% lower |
| Vacant units | 13% | 11% | +1.9 pts |
Employment and commuting in Vernon County
Education and health care (27%), retail trade (15%) and manufacturing (12%) lead Vernon County's job mix. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. Unemployment in Vernon County, ACS five-year: 4.2%; Missouri: 4.0%. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. Only 11.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Vernon County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.9% | +3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.1% | +1.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.5% | +5.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.9% | -0.3 pts |
Self-employed in Vernon County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The counties around Vernon County
Distances run center to center, from Barton County at 24 miles out to Crawford County at 37. Bates County leads the group on income ($60,733), Cedar County trails ($48,181), and Vernon County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Vernon County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon County | - | $52,230 | $734/mo | 71% |
| Barton County, MO | 24 mi | $51,635 | $805/mo | 68% |
| Bourbon County, KS | 28 mi | $59,238 | $752/mo | 74% |
| Cedar County, MO | 28 mi | $48,181 | $767/mo | 74% |
| Bates County, MO | 28 mi | $60,733 | $786/mo | 75% |
| St. Clair County, MO | 34 mi | $53,043 | $622/mo | 76% |
| Crawford County, KS | 37 mi | $52,844 | $849/mo | 61% |
Vernon County communities by population
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 48% of Vernon County residents live in one of the 12. This guide covers each of the 12 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | city | 7,925 | $42,813 | $720 | 1 mi |
| Sheldon | city | 443 | $41,848 | $617 | 13 mi |
| Walker | city | 359 | $40,417 | $663 | 7 mi |
| Schell City | city | 224 | $46,250 | $569 | 17 mi |
| Bronaugh | city | 163 | $52,917 | $1,000 | 13 mi |
| Moundville | town | 98 | $56,667 | $665 | 8 mi |
| Richards | town | 49 | $45,804 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Milo | village | 47 | $35,500 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Deerfield | village | 43 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Metz | town | 7 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Harwood | village | 6 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Stotesbury | town | 0 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
$4,352 a month: the Vernon County median budget
Vernon County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $4,352 a month: gross income for a household at the Vernon County median
- Median rent: $734, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 43% cap, $1,872 total minus rent leaves $1,138
Two-income households and single earners in Vernon County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Age, degrees and coverage in Vernon County
17% of Vernon County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Vernon County | vs Missouri | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.6% | -15.8 pts | -5.6 pts |
| Poverty rate | 18.8% | +6.2 pts | +5.6 pts |
| No health insurance | 14.4% | +5.6 pts | +6.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 11.4% | +4.7 pts | +6.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | +2.9 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 41.9 | +2.9 yrs | +0.4 yrs |
| Work from home | 11.8% | -1.2 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | +0.2 pts | -0.2 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Vernon County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Vernon County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Vernon County borrowers.
- 14% uninsured. In Vernon County, ask for an itemized bill and a payment plan first (medical bills).
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Before you sign
A short checklist for Vernon County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Licensing and complaints for Vernon County
Consumer lenders serving Vernon County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Missouri that is the Missouri Division of Finance. If a Vernon County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Missouri page has statewide figures to set beside Vernon County's.
Keep exploring
No city in Vernon County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $52,230 a good income in Vernon County?
It is the county median, so half of Vernon County households earn more and half less; 19% earn $100,000 or more.
How does Vernon County rent compare with Missouri?
$734 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 29% below.
I own my home in Vernon County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 71% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
How many towns are in Vernon County?
The Census Bureau counts 12 places mainly in the county, led by Nevada, Sheldon, Walker, Schell City, Bronaugh.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Vernon County or elsewhere in Missouri, the same rules apply.