St. Louis
Missouri

What stands out

If you had to describe St. Louis County in numbers, start here: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (99 of 100), the share working from home is in the top 9% of American counties (14%), and high-school completion is in the top 11% of American counties (94%). Within Missouri it ranks 1st of 115 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in St. Louis County, Missouri. 999,703 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -5,574).

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 $78,067 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $75,926. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 85% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Missouri takes 4.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,489 a year.

Home

The median home costs $290K, pricier than 67% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,129 a month. Property tax is 1.24% of home value, roughly $3,101 a year on that median home, higher than 75% of American counties. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.8 years, longer than 61% of American counties. There are 5,655 active physicians in the county, about 56.6 per 10,000 people. 6.6% 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 53% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 26 points. 72% 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 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 276 Mbps down, faster than 86% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 10 breweries, 16 museums, 1 National Park Service site.