RANK #563 / 996 · POP 89,568 · MO
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Christian County, Missouri, situated in the Ozark Mountains, offers a blend of small-town character and access to larger urban centers like Springfield and Branson. The county seat, Ozark, and the largest city, Nixa, are notable towns. Nixa's unique name is said to derive from "Nix," German slang for "nothing," combined with the "A" from an early resident's name, Nicholas A. Inman, symbolizing its origin as a crossroads. The area is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and rivers like the James and Finley, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing. Commuting to Springfield is common, and public transit options like OATS Transit serve the county.
Life in Christian County appeals to families and young professionals, drawn by highly-rated public schools, particularly in Nixa and Ozark. The community maintains a rural feel with low crime rates. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture and forestry, has diversified to include manufacturing in sectors such as plastics and electric motors. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and retail, with new commercial projects underway in Ozark. The county's proximity to Springfield also provides access to healthcare and a broader job market.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Black Mountain Energy Storage System
Black Mountain Energy Storage
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Ozark Marketplace Retail Development
Local development group
|
$50M | Planned |
|
CoxHealth Rehabilitation Hospital
CoxHealth
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Route CC-J-NN Cooperative Project
Christian County, Ozark Special Road District, Cities of Fremont Hills, Nixa, Ozark
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Christian County has a Boom Town Index score of 44/100, ranking #563 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.8% and a median household income of $75,787, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Christian County is $229,200 with median rent at $937/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3307, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.8%. Home values changed +0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.09% of Christian County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.