Rock
RANK #144 / 996 NAT · #8 / 22 MO · POP 226,984
1YR FORECAST: +3.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
Jefferson County, Missouri, south of St. Louis, offers a blend of suburban and rural living, with the Mississippi River forming its eastern border. A notable landmark is the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, one of only four remaining covered bridges in Missouri, built in 1872. Commutes to St. Louis are common, with Interstate 55 providing a direct route. The county features rolling hills, forests, and limestone bluffs, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation at places like Mastodon State Historic Site and Don Robinson State Park.
Life in Jefferson County often appeals to families and those seeking a less urban environment. While some areas are suburban, many communities retain a small-town feel. Public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in sectors such as data technology centers and infrastructure improvements. These developments aim to create jobs and enhance local services.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 8.8x — 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
CRG Data Center
CRG (developer), unnamed technology tenant
|
$6,000M | Proposed |
|
Big Hollow Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant & Battery Storage)
Ameren Missouri
|
$1,200M | Under Construction |
|
I-55 Improvements from Route Z to U.S. Route 67
MoDOT
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Crystal City Port Development with Access Roadway
Jefferson County Port Authority
|
$50M | Partially Funded |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (House Springs & other Neighborhood Solar projects)
Ameren Missouri
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Jefferson County ranks #144 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 86/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +2.2% and a median household income of $77,217 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Jefferson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $202,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $957/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Jefferson County are hiring — job growth of +2.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.5% YoY). Home values moved +4.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.69% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Jefferson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.