RANK #8 / 1001 NAT · #1 / 22 MO · POP 53,894
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +43%
Pulaski County, Missouri, distinguishes itself with a unique blend of military heritage and Ozark natural beauty, intersected by the historic Route 66. Waynesville, the county seat, offers a glimpse into the past with its 1903 Courthouse Museum and the Old Stagecoach Stop, the county's oldest building, which once served as a Civil War hospital. The county is centrally located along Interstate 44, roughly two hours west of St. Louis and one hour east of Springfield, Missouri, making it accessible while maintaining a distinct community feel. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore 39,000 acres of Mark Twain National Forest, float the Gasconade and Big Piney Rivers, or fish for smallmouth bass and trout in various waterways. Roubidoux Spring in Laughlin Park is a notable spot for cave diving and a local swimming area, also recognized as a Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Cherokee Campsite.
Life in Pulaski County is shaped significantly by Fort Leonard Wood, a major U.S. Army training installation that borders St. Robert and Waynesville. This military presence contributes to a diverse population, including many military families and retirees drawn to the area's lower cost of living and scenic environment. The economy is largely influenced by the fort, which trains over 80,000 military and civilians annually and houses the U.S. Army Engineer, Chemical, and Military Police schools. Beyond the military, the county's position along Route 66 supports a tourism sector with unique roadside attractions and local businesses. Public schools in the Waynesville R-VI School District, which serves Fort Leonard Wood, St. Robert, and most of Waynesville, are above average. Commute options within the county include local bus services.
Pulaski County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +6.2% YoY, population +0.1%, 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
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.9x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
AVAIO Digital Leo Data Center (Pulaski County, AR)
AVAIO Digital Partners
|
$6,000M | Under Construction |
|
Mammoth Solar Farm
Doral Renewables LLC
|
$4,500M | Planned |
|
Google 'Project Boar' Data Center (Pulaski County, AR)
Google
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Liberty Elementary School
Waynesville R-VI School District, Wright Construction Services
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Fort Leonard Wood Airport Terminal Expansion
Fort Leonard Wood
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Pulaski County ranks #8 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 99/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.3% year-over-year). Median household income here is $64,466.
Housing in Pulaski County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $189,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,112/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Pulaski County's job market is contracting (-1.3% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.1% change). Home values are +6.2% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.23% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pulaski County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Pulaski County is now valued at $189,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.