RANK #431 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 22 MO · POP 188,043
1YR FORECAST: +1.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Boone County, Missouri, is perhaps best known as home to the University of Missouri in Columbia, the state's flagship university and the first public university west of the Mississippi River. Located in central Missouri, the county is situated halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, with Interstate 70 providing a direct route for commuters. The community offers a blend of urban amenities in Columbia and smaller town charm in places like Ashland and Rocheport. Outdoor recreation is accessible with areas like Rock Bridge Memorial State Park and the Katy Trail, which spans the state, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying natural scenery.
Life in Boone County appeals to a diverse population, including families, young professionals, and retirees, drawn by its educational institutions and healthcare options. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with districts like Columbia and Southern Boone County R-I noted for their performance. The economy is diverse, with education and healthcare serving as major employment sectors, anchored by the University of Missouri and large healthcare providers. Recent economic activity also includes investments in manufacturing and technology, contributing to the county's economic landscape.
Boone County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.4% YoY, population +1.2%, wages +4.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
MU Combined Heat and Power Plant
Curators of the University of Missouri
|
$82M | Operating |
|
Columbia (MO) Natural Gas Power Plant
City of Columbia - (MO)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Amazon Warehouse WMO3
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
New Residential Construction (Multiple Developments)
Various Home Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Boone County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#431). Median household income is $72,758 and job growth is running at +1.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Boone County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $272,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,088/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Boone County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted +2.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.7% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Boone County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.