1st Advantage MortgageWorth County households have a median income of $47,847 and median rent of $381 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
- Getting oriented in Worth County
- Work, industries and travel time in Worth County
- Household income in Worth County
- Renting and owning in Worth County
- Places inside Worth County
- Worth County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Worth County's medians
- Worth County households compared
- Before borrowing in Worth County
- Checklist for Worth County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Worth County residents
- More guides for Worth County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Worth County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Worth County's population at 1,934; only 114 of Missouri's 115 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 267 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 7 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Worth County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (6 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Grant City, with about 959 residents, or 50% of the county. Because Worth County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Work, industries and travel time in Worth County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Worth County residents work in education and health care and 20% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (20% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 1.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Worth County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -2.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.3% | +18.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.8% | +5.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.3% | -4.9 pts |
| Public administration | 5.2% | +0.9 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.
Household income in Worth County
Half of Worth County households take in less than $47,847 a year and half take in more, 32% below the Missouri median of $70,702. In the state ranking that is 107th of 115.
| Household income | Worth County | vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.2% | +11.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 16.5% | -8.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.5 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 20% clear $100,000. Census counts 20.6% of Worth County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. 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 Worth County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $381 in Worth County versus $1,033 statewide. By the Census definition, 18% of Worth County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,600, about 2.0 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 82%. Half the housing stock was built before 1961.
| Measure | Worth County | Missouri | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $381/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $96,600 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 18% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.9% | 5.2% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Worth County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Worth County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 65% of Worth County residents live in one of the 6. No Worth County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant City | town | 959 | $45,192 | $480 | 0 mi |
| Sheridan | town | 181 | $31,250 | $298 | 11 mi |
| Allendale | village | 46 | $73,333 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Worth | village | 34 | $122,917 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Denver | village | 20 | $24,792 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Irena | village | 19 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
Worth County next to its neighbors
Gentry County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Decatur County, is 38 miles off. Income ranges from $54,367 in Harrison County to $73,346 in Ringgold County; all six of these neighbors top Worth County's median. Some neighbors are in Iowa. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Worth County resident follows Missouri rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worth County | - | $47,847 | $381/mo | 82% |
| Gentry County, MO | 19 mi | $55,848 | $636/mo | 74% |
| Ringgold County, IA | 20 mi | $73,346 | $710/mo | 78% |
| Taylor County, IA | 23 mi | $67,740 | $765/mo | 78% |
| Harrison County, MO | 24 mi | $54,367 | $703/mo | 71% |
| Nodaway County, MO | 26 mi | $59,315 | $786/mo | 62% |
| Decatur County, IA | 38 mi | $59,044 | $611/mo | 70% |
Debt-to-income at Worth County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Worth County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $47,847 a year is $3,987 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $381, takes 10% of that
- $1,015: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,413 a month
If your rent is above $381, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Worth County households compared
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.9%, against 8.8% for Missouri.
| People and households | Worth County | Missouri | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.5 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.1% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.9% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.8% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.6% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.6% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
Before borrowing in Worth County
What the Worth County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Older households. A 48.5 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Assistance before credit. With a 21% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Worth County loan.
- Consolidating cards in Worth County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Checklist for Worth County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Worth County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Missouri license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Worth County residents
Worth County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Missouri Division of Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Missouri guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Worth County
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Worth County?
$47,847 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 107th of 115 in the state.
How does Worth County rent compare with Missouri?
$381 locally versus $1,033 for the state, 63% below.
What are the biggest places in Worth County?
By population: Grant City, Sheridan, Allendale, Worth, Denver. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does living in Worth County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Worth County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Is there a Worth County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Missouri it is the Missouri Division of Finance.