CountyScore

Jefferson County

Missouri · MO

#107 in Missouri
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Missouri

Jefferson ranks in top 30 nationally

Jefferson County's composite score of 70.5 places it at the 70th percentile nationally, significantly above the national median of 50.0. This positions it among the more livable counties across the country, driven by strong income levels and reasonable taxes.

Solid middle performer in Missouri

With a score of 70.5, Jefferson ranks near Missouri's state average of 74.8, holding its own among the state's 115 counties. It's neither a top-tier nor struggling county—a reliable middle option for many Missourians.

Highest income of this group

Jefferson County boasts a median household income of $80,522 and an income score of 35.9—the strongest earnings profile in this county set. Combined with a tax score of 78.7 and effective rate of 0.839%, residents keep more of what they earn.

Higher housing costs reflect suburban reality

Median home values reach $218,800 and rent averages $972 per month, pushing the cost score to 73.0—less affordable than smaller rural peers. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable, leaving important livability questions unanswered.

Best for higher-income suburban families

Jefferson County suits professional families earning solid incomes who can afford suburban housing costs in exchange for strong schools and services (data pending). This is Missouri's gateway to suburban living—convenient, reasonably taxed, and economically stable.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax78.7Cost73SafetyComing SoonHealth69.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.9Risk9.5WaterComing Soon
🏛78.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡9.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Houston County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $80,743
Tift County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $53,165
Christian County
Kentucky
65.1
Median income: $54,190
Berrien County
Michigan
65.1
Median income: $63,152
Lee County
Mississippi
65.1
Median income: $67,144

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson County has higher taxes than most

At 0.839%, Jefferson County's effective tax rate ranks in the upper tier nationally, exceeding Missouri's average of 0.733% and pushing well above the national median of 0.935%. The median annual property tax here is $1,835 on a median home valued at $218,800—still well below the national median property tax of $2,690.

Jefferson ranks among Missouri's highest-tax counties

Jefferson County's 0.839% effective rate places it in the upper quartile of Missouri's 115 counties, making it one of the pricier places to own property in the state. The median tax of $1,835 is 53% higher than Missouri's median of $1,199, reflecting both higher home values and higher tax rates.

Jefferson taxes significantly higher than peers

Jefferson County's 0.839% rate substantially exceeds most regional neighbors: Lafayette County (0.766%), Jasper County (0.739%), and Lawrence County (0.606%). Among the eight-county region, only Knox County at 0.802% comes close, though Jefferson's higher home values mean higher absolute tax bills.

A $218,800 home costs about $1,835 yearly

The median Jefferson County homeowner pays approximately $1,835 annually in property taxes on a typical home. With mortgage escrow, that rises to $1,953; without a mortgage, the bill drops to $1,586.

Appeal your assessment if it feels too high

Many property owners in high-tax counties like Jefferson are overassessed relative to actual market value. If your tax burden seems disproportionate to your home's worth, a formal appeal to the county assessor could result in meaningful tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson County beats national affordability

With a rent-to-income ratio of 14.5%, Jefferson County renters spend less on housing than the national average of 18.3%, signaling strong affordability relative to income. Median household income of $80,522 also outpaces the nation by $5,767, providing a financial cushion many counties lack.

One of Missouri's most affordable counties

Jefferson County ranks among Missouri's most balanced housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio below the state average of 15.6%. Its $972 median rent aligns with state patterns, but higher incomes make the burden lighter than in most peer counties.

Premium housing, premium income advantage

Jefferson County's median rent of $972 is higher than neighboring Laclede ($796) and Lawrence ($785), but its $80,522 median income is substantially stronger. This income advantage explains why Jefferson residents report better affordability despite paying more in absolute rent dollars.

Housing costs are manageable here

Renters spend $972 monthly while homeowners average $1,168—both reasonable shares of a $80,522 median household income. Housing accounts for roughly 14–17% of pre-tax income, positioning Jefferson as one of the more comfortable counties in the region.

Jefferson offers suburban balance

If you value proximity to Saint Louis metro employment with stronger affordability than the urban core, Jefferson County delivers solid housing value for higher incomes. Your purchasing power here supports both rental and ownership without stretching your budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson outearns the nation

Jefferson County's median household income of $80,522 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $5,767 annually. This positions Jefferson above the U.S. average, placing households in the upper-middle income tier nationally.

Top earner in Missouri

Jefferson County leads Missouri with a median household income of $80,522, more than $21,000 above the state average of $59,503. This commanding advantage makes Jefferson the state's income leader among counties surveyed.

Jefferson dominates regional earnings

Jefferson's $80,522 median income significantly outpaces nearby Lafayette County ($79,091) and dwarfs rural neighbors like Johnson County ($67,123). This economic strength reflects Jefferson's role as a prosperous suburban and professional hub in the St. Louis metro area.

Housing costs are very manageable

Jefferson's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% ranks well below the national standard of 18%, indicating strong housing affordability. With median home values at $218,800, residents enjoy both affordable rent and reasonable homeownership costs relative to their incomes.

Maximize wealth-building opportunities

Jefferson households have the income stability to maximize retirement contributions, diversify investments, and explore wealth-building strategies like home equity and portfolio growth. With above-average earnings and manageable housing costs, Jefferson residents are well-positioned to build substantial long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson beats national health averages

Jefferson County's 75.0-year life expectancy edges closer to the U.S. average of 78.9 years—though still a meaningful 3.9-year gap remains. Just 17.6% of residents report poor or fair health, significantly better than the national average. Jefferson emerges as one of Missouri's healthier counties relative to broader U.S. trends.

Jefferson ranks well within Missouri

At 75.0 years, Jefferson's life expectancy exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year state average by 0.7 years, placing it solidly in the upper half statewide. With only 17.6% of residents in poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties—Jefferson demonstrates stronger population health outcomes. The county's low uninsured rate (9.5%) underscores better access than most of the state.

Jefferson leads regional health metrics

Jefferson's 75.0-year life expectancy matches Lafayette County (74.9 years) and exceeds Jasper (73.8 years) and Lawrence (73.6 years) by 1-2 years. Its 17.6% poor/fair health rate is the best among regional peers, including Johnson County (17.5%, nearly tied). This consistency suggests Jefferson has created more stable health conditions across its population.

Coverage is strong, but provider gaps exist

Jefferson's 9.5% uninsured rate is well below Missouri's 12.5% average, indicating stronger insurance uptake across the county. However, with just 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access to routine care may involve longer waits or travel, despite adequate mental health services (116 per 100K). This suggests Jefferson residents' good insurance coverage doesn't guarantee quick appointments with family doctors.

Maintain your coverage to stay healthy

If you're uninsured or between jobs, Jefferson's strong insurance baseline means help is likely available through employer plans, Medicaid, or marketplace options. Visit Healthcare.gov to compare plans, or contact a local benefits counselor to protect your coverage. Keeping insurance steady helps you access those primary care providers and avoid gaps in preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson faces above-average U.S. risk

Jefferson County's composite risk score of 90.52 places it in the upper tier nationally, with a Relatively Moderate rating. This score reflects exposure to multiple significant hazards that exceed typical American county risk profiles.

Missouri's highest-risk county

Jefferson County leads Missouri with a composite score of 90.52, nearly 40 points above the state average of 50.56. The county faces the state's most concentrated natural disaster exposure.

Substantially riskier than peers

Jefferson's 90.52 score far exceeds neighboring Johnson County (54.93) and Lafayette County (52.51). The county's risk level is notably higher than most other areas in central Missouri.

Earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes converge

Jefferson experiences high earthquake risk (93.42), flood risk (91.38), and tornado risk (95.10)—among Missouri's highest levels across all three hazards. This triple threat makes it one of the state's most hazard-exposed counties.

Layer multiple insurance protections

Jefferson homeowners must secure flood insurance and verify tornado coverage immediately, given the county's extreme exposure to both hazards. Consider earthquake insurance as well; ask your agent about bundle discounts for comprehensive multi-hazard protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.