RANK #497 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 22 MO · POP 229,458
1YR FORECAST: +2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Jefferson County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.5% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 21.0x — 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Jefferson County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
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 1001 counties.
Jefferson County scores 50/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#497). Median household income is $82,851 and job growth is running at +0.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Jefferson County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $237,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.35, with rents averaging $979/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Jefferson County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted +4.5% 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 3.09% 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.