Branson: Economy & Jobs
$51,978 is the median household income in Branson (1.1× below Taney County median $56,497; 1.4× below Missouri median $70,702), with homes at a median value of $251,000. The surrounding county supports 7,300 jobs (avg $38,944).
- $67,712 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Missouri $81,145).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $51,978 — below the Missouri median ($66,498). Poverty rate 20.2% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 31% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 4.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 23.1% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 31.4% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 20.2% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 3.0% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $15,310 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,036,678 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $67,712 (vs Missouri $81,145) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $62,629 |
| Median Household Income | $51,978 (vs Missouri $66,498) |
| Poverty Rate | 20.2% |
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 | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Arts Food |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $51,978 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.3% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 8% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 17.50 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 8.2% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 7,300 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $284,284,520 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $38,944 |
| 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 | 3.3% (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 | 2 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 86,500 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 43,250.00 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Field Crops, Other |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 738 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 5,250 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 193,951 |
| 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 | 3 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 20 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 9 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Grooming | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Real Estate Offices | 12 |
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 | 31 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 13 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 6 |
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 (16)
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 | Walgreens 3594 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 33 |
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 | BRANSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
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 | $264,652,706 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 8,516.31 (vs Missouri $6,704) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 31,076 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 67.2% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 4.4% |
| Pct Walked | 8.2% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 39.3 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 42.0% |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12