RANK #468 / 1001 NAT · #16 / 22 MO · POP 92,915
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
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.
Christian County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.1% YoY, population +1.9%, wages +2.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 26.5x — 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 →
| 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 1001 counties.
Christian County scores 53/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#468). Median household income is $83,437 and job growth is running at +1.0%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Christian County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $274,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,058/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Christian County's population is growing — up +1.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +1.0%). Home values shifted +1.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.93% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Christian County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.