Perry
Missouri

What stands out

Three things set Perry County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the bottom 6% of American counties (2.1%) and the share working from home is in the bottom 6% of American counties (3%). Within Missouri it ranks 11th of 115 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Perry County, Missouri. 18,970 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +76).

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 $61,486 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,010. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 94% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Missouri takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,709 a year.

Home

The median home costs $233K, cheaper than 51% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $905 a month. Property tax is 0.74% of home value, roughly $1,332 a year on that median home, lower than 61% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 71% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.8 years, longer than 62% of American counties. There are 12 active physicians in the county, about 6.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 9.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.06 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 59% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 61 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 65% 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 57°F, highs near 68 and lows near 47, warmer than 57% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 60 out of 100, riskier than 60% of American counties; the county has had 29 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 187 Mbps down, slower than 56% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.