Shelby
Missouri

What stands out

Against every county in America, Shelby County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), the home price against local income is in the bottom 5% of American counties (1.3 years of income), and population growth is in the bottom 9% of American counties (-1.1% a year). Within Missouri it ranks 27th of 115 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Shelby County, Missouri. 6,049 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -42).

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 $50,387 a year, lower than 78% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,151. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 89% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Missouri takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,188 a year.

Home

The median home costs $196K, cheaper than 64% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $636 a month. Property tax is 0.92% of home value, roughly $786 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 79% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.8 years, longer than 62% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 1.7 per 10,000 people. 11.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 63% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 74% 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 54°F, highs near 65 and lows near 43, colder than 59% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 20 out of 100, safer than 80% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 168 Mbps down, slower than 64% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.