1st Advantage MortgageThe median Warren County household earns $81,209, and 8% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Missouri license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Warren County
- Work, industries and travel time in Warren County
- How much Warren County households make
- Warren County housing compared with Missouri
- Towns and communities in Warren County
- Warren County and the counties next door
- Warren County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Warren County
- Budget math at the Warren County median
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Warren County
Warren County is home to about 37,177 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 32nd most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Packed into 429 square miles, that is close to 87 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (8 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Warrenton, with about 9,066 residents, or 24% of the county.
Work, industries and travel time in Warren County
By the Census industry count, 18% of employed Warren County residents work in education and health care and 15% in manufacturing. Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.7% in Warren County. 27% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. 3.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Warren County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.0% | -6.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.0% | +3.8 pts |
| Construction | 12.8% | +6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.4% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -2.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | +2.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Warren County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Warren County households make
The median household income in Warren County is $81,209; statewide it is $70,702, so Warren County runs 15% above Missouri as a whole. Only 8 Missouri counties post a higher median.
| Band | Warren County | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.4% | -5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.7% | +5.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | -0.3 pts |
Some 18% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 39% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.0% of Warren County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.409 (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 Warren County median.
Warren County housing compared with Missouri
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $995 in Warren County versus $1,033 statewide. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 14% spend half or more. With a median value of $260,400, a typical Warren County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. 80% of Warren County households own their home and 20% rent. The median year built is 1998.
| Warren County | Missouri | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $995/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $260,400 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Warren 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.
Towns and communities in Warren County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Warren County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 19,589 people, so roughly 47% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $150,833 at the median in Innsbrook, $58,750 in Truesdale. Rent is cheapest in Truesdale ($833) and steepest in Warrenton ($964). No Warren County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrenton | city | 9,066 | $61,031 | $964 | 4 mi |
| Wright City | city | 5,240 | $80,152 | $894 | 8 mi |
| Marthasville | city | 2,328 | $112,083 | $953 | 11 mi |
| Foristell | city | 1,096 | $116,581 | $883 | 11 mi |
| Truesdale | city | 990 | $58,750 | $833 | 4 mi |
| Innsbrook | village | 843 | $150,833 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Pendleton | village | 23 | $111,250 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Three Creeks | village | 3 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
Warren County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Warren County's, from 20 to 38 miles away. Income ranges from $64,232 in Gasconade County to $104,692 in St. Charles County; 3 of these neighbors top Warren County's median. Some neighbors are in Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Warren County resident follows Missouri rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren County | - | $81,209 | $995/mo | 80% |
| Montgomery County, MO | 20 mi | $65,500 | $788/mo | 73% |
| Lincoln County, MO | 23 mi | $89,278 | $961/mo | 79% |
| Franklin County, MO | 25 mi | $73,165 | $893/mo | 77% |
| St. Charles County, MO | 26 mi | $104,692 | $1,370/mo | 81% |
| Gasconade County, MO | 29 mi | $64,232 | $743/mo | 81% |
| Calhoun County, IL | 38 mi | $93,203 | $583/mo | 89% |
Warren County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. 7.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Warren County | Missouri | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.5% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.4% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.0% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.0% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Warren County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 17.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.4% |
| 60+ min | 12.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Warren County
Based on the Warren County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Commuter costs. 27% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Budget math at the Warren County median
Here is the Warren County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $81,209 a year is $6,767 of gross monthly income
- 15% goes to median rent ($995)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,712 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $995, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Warren County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Warren County-area credit union.
- Verify the Missouri license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
Consumer lenders serving Warren County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Missouri that is the Missouri Division of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Missouri guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Missouri guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Warren County household make?
About $81,209 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 15% above the Missouri median.
How does Warren County rent compare with Missouri?
$995 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 4% below.
Should Warren County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Warren 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 Warren County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Warrenton, Wright City, Marthasville, Foristell, Truesdale and 3 more.
Are Warren County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.