A life in Iron County, Missouri

Where you are

You live in Iron County, Missouri. 9,538 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +123).

Missouri stopped taxing Social Security and public pensions for all residents in 2024 and has been cutting its top income-tax rate toward 4.5%. Home prices are well below the national average in both Kansas City and St. Louis. The state's property tax on vehicles, paid every year, surprises new arrivals; tornado exposure is high across the state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $53,401 a year, lower than 71% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,965. Unemployment runs 4.0%, higher than 69% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Missouri takes 4.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,403 a year.

Home

The median home costs $159K, cheaper than 80% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $671 a month. Property tax is 0.66% of home value, roughly $721 a year on that median home, lower than 70% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 87% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 17 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.1 years, shorter than 92% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 3.1 per 10,000 people. 10.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.13 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 72% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% of eligible voters turned out. Under Missouri law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 68 and lows near 44, warmer than 53% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 52 out of 100, riskier than 52% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 148 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Sources for this story

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• DataSpine derived — ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Missouri tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.