St. Louis city
Missouri

What stands out

What stands out about St. Louis city: the overdose death rate is among the highest in America (62 per 100,000), the school test score is among the lowest in America (2.22 where 3.0 is grade level), and homeownership is among the lowest in America (45%). Within Missouri it ranks 1st of 115 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in St. Louis city, Missouri. 298,018 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -5,403).

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 $52,941 a year, lower than 72% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $79,002. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 13% 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 $2,308 a year.

Home

The median home costs $184K, cheaper than 70% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,066 a month. Property tax is 1.08% of home value, roughly $1,885 a year on that median home, higher than 66% of American counties. 45% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 72% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 62 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.4 years, shorter than 85% of American counties. There are 4,752 active physicians in the county, about 159.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.7 of 5 stars. 10.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than almost every county in America. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 66 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% 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 58% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 95 out of 100, riskier than 95% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 287 Mbps down, faster than 91% of American counties. There are 0 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 22 breweries, 25 museums, 1 National Park Service site.