1st Advantage MortgageThe median Webster County household earns $71,155, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Who lives in Webster County
- What Webster County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Webster County
- Webster County housing compared with Missouri
- The communities that make up Webster County
- Webster County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Webster County's medians
- What the numbers mean for Webster County borrowers
- Webster County households compared
- Four steps for Webster County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Webster County
- More guides for Webster County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Webster County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Webster County's population at 40,500; only 27 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 593 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 68 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Springfield, MO metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Webster County, Marshfield leads by population with about 7,696; 6 of the 6 are incorporated.
What Webster County households earn
Webster County households have a median income of $71,155 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 115 in Missouri.
| Yearly household income | Webster County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.8% | -1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.3% | +4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.6% | +0.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -3.3 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.2% of Webster County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. A household earning below the $71,155 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Webster County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward construction (12% against 7%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.8% in Webster County. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Webster County | Gap to Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 11.7% | +4.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.4% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.4% | -2.1 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Webster County housing compared with Missouri
Renters in Webster County pay a median of $789 a month, 24% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. 33% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. With a median value of $228,800, a typical Webster County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. 77% of Webster County households own their home and 23% rent. The median year built is 1991.
| Housing | Webster County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $789/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $228,800 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 11% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The communities that make up Webster County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Webster County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 16,183 residents, leaving about 60% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Rogersville has the highest median household income on the list ($70,485) and Niangua the lowest ($45,179), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $693 in Niangua to $972 in Rogersville. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | city | 7,696 | $67,642 | $710 | 5 mi |
| Rogersville | city | 4,908 | $70,485 | $972 | 16 mi |
| Seymour | city | 2,179 | $51,591 | $731 | 11 mi |
| Fordland | city | 594 | $53,571 | $741 | 9 mi |
| Niangua | city | 537 | $45,179 | $693 | 8 mi |
| Diggins | village | 269 | $76,667 | $640 | 8 mi |
Webster County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Wright County at 22 miles out to Douglas County at 30. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Webster County; Christian County is highest at $83,437 and Douglas County lowest at $45,985.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster County | - | $71,155 | $789/mo | 77% |
| Wright County, MO | 22 mi | $47,909 | $625/mo | 77% |
| Greene County, MO | 26 mi | $61,479 | $989/mo | 57% |
| Christian County, MO | 28 mi | $83,437 | $1,058/mo | 76% |
| Dallas County, MO | 29 mi | $53,464 | $642/mo | 76% |
| Laclede County, MO | 30 mi | $53,282 | $809/mo | 68% |
| Douglas County, MO | 30 mi | $45,985 | $700/mo | 81% |
Debt-to-income at Webster County's medians
How much room does a median Webster County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $5,930 a month: gross income for a household at the Webster County median
- Less median rent of $789, which is 13% of it
- $1,583: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Webster County's.
What the numbers mean for Webster County borrowers
Where the Webster County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Webster County households compared
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 15.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Webster County | All of Missouri | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.0 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.3% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.9% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.5% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.5% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.2% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.8% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Webster County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Four steps for Webster County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Webster County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Licensing and complaints for Webster County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Webster County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Webster County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Webster County a high-income county?
Its $71,155 median ranks 19th of 115 Missouri counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Webster County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $789 against $1,033 statewide, and 33% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Webster County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 77% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Webster County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Marshfield, Rogersville, Seymour, Fordland, Niangua.
Will a Webster County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.