New Madrid
Missouri

What stands out

Against every county in America, New Madrid County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the bottom 3% of American counties ($100K), population growth is in the bottom 3% of American counties (-1.8% a year), and violent crime is in the top 4% of American counties (5.1 per 1,000). Within Missouri it ranks 3rd of 113 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in New Madrid County, Missouri. 16,341 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.8% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -174).

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 $44,092 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,792. Unemployment runs 3.0%, lower than 66% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Missouri takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,892 a year.

Home

The median home costs $100K, cheaper than 97% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $733 a month. Property tax is 0.73% of home value, roughly $684 a year on that median home, lower than 62% of American counties. 65% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 23 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 70.5 years, shorter than 95% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 1.8 per 10,000 people. 11.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.82 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 74% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 54 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 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 61°F, highs near 70 and lows near 51, warmer than 70% of American counties. About 52 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 83 out of 100, riskier than 83% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 223 Mbps down, faster than 60% of American counties. 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.