Lake Ozark: Economy & Jobs
Lake Ozark reports a median household income of $74,176 (1.3× higher than Miller County median $56,736; about the same as Missouri median $70,702), with homes at a median value of $278,100. The surrounding county supports 17,655 jobs (avg $46,820).
- $78,777 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Missouri $81,145).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $74,176 — above the Missouri median ($66,498). Poverty rate 18.6% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 38% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 3.7× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 16.5% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 38.0% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 18.6% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 2.4% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $21,690 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,708,674 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $78,777 (vs Missouri $81,145) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $91,703 |
| Median Household Income | $74,176 (vs Missouri $66,498) |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $74,176 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.7% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 7% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 7.0% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 17,655 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $826,581,299 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $46,820 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,876,400 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% (vs Missouri 2.6%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 44 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 8,981 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 204.10 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Cattle, Hogs, Crop Totals, Grain |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,533 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 15,070 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 671,839 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 9 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 32 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 11 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 88 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 29 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 11 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (3)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Target Stores T- 1914 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 11 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $367,092,148 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 8,587.96 (vs Missouri $6,704) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 42,745 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 75.0% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 0.8% |
| Pct Walked | 7.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 42.1 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 35.8% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12