Boone
Missouri

What stands out

Against every county in America, Boone County is unusual in three ways: unemployment is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.0%), homeownership is in the bottom 5% of American counties (58%), and high-school completion is in the top 8% of American counties (95%). Within Missouri it ranks 5th of 115 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Boone County, Missouri. 184,043 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +424).

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 $66,564 a year, higher than 66% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,677. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 96% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Missouri takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,948 a year.

Home

The median home costs $334K, pricier than 76% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $929 a month. Property tax is 0.92% of home value, roughly $2,181 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.7 years, longer than 82% of American counties. There are 1,928 active physicians in the county, about 104.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 7.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.97 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 57% of American counties. 95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 13 points. 67% 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 66 and lows near 46, warmer than 51% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 87 out of 100, riskier than 87% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 210 Mbps down, faster than 55% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 3 museums.