Ralls
Missouri

What stands out

Three things set Ralls County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is among the highest in America (87%), the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 3% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000), and unemployment is in the bottom 11% of American counties (2.3%). Within Missouri it ranks 1st of 115 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Ralls County, Missouri. 10,356 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +114).

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 $62,615 a year, higher than 56% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,377. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 89% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Missouri takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,762 a year.

Home

The median home costs $256K, pricier than 58% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $759 a month. Property tax is 0.79% of home value, roughly $1,138 a year on that median home, lower than 56% of American counties. 87% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 68% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.5 years, shorter than 54% of American counties. There are 3 active physicians in the county, about 2.9 per 10,000 people. 9.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.98 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 60% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 57 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 70% 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 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 13 out of 100, safer than 87% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 206 Mbps down, faster than 53% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.