Buchanan
Missouri

What stands out

What stands out about Buchanan County: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (338 Mbps), the average commute is in the bottom 9% of American counties (16 minutes), and the overdose death rate is in the top 12% of American counties (33 per 100,000). Within Missouri it ranks 2nd of 115 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Buchanan County, Missouri. 84,544 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -58).

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 $58,303 a year, lower than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $58,558. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 87% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 16 minutes each way.

Missouri takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,560 a year.

Home

The median home costs $195K, cheaper than 65% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $858 a month. Property tax is 0.81% of home value, roughly $1,215 a year on that median home, lower than 55% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 72% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 33 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.6 years, shorter than 63% of American counties. There are 190 active physicians in the county, about 22.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.91 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 73% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 24 points. 55% 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 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 44, colder than 53% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 69 out of 100, riskier than 70% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 338 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 4 museums.