CountyScore

St. Charles County

Missouri · MO

#110 in Missouri
62.7
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Charles County, Missouri

St. Charles outperforms national baseline

St. Charles County's composite score of 63.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it above average for U.S. counties overall. This 27th-percentile ranking reflects a community that offers better livability than most American counties.

Below Missouri's state average

At 63.6, St. Charles County lags slightly behind Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking it in the middle-to-lower tier of state counties. Despite national strength, it faces stronger competition within Missouri's county landscape.

Higher incomes drive the economy

St. Charles County stands out with a median household income of $102,912, significantly above the state and national averages. An income score of 50.6 and tax score of 70.6 reflect a community with stronger earning potential and moderate tax burden.

Housing costs create affordability gap

The county's cost score of 61.5 reflects higher housing expenses, with median home values at $296,800 and median rent at $1,312/month—among the region's priciest. Safety, school, health, and environmental data are not yet available for a complete livability assessment.

Best for affluent suburban families

St. Charles County appeals to higher-income families seeking suburban comfort and earning opportunities near a major metro area. This is a county where you'll pay more for housing but gain access to better incomes and moderate taxes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax70.6Cost61.5SafetyComing SoonHealth78.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome50.6Risk7.4WaterComing Soon
🏛70.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼50.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.4
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 St. Charles County with another county →

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Woodford County
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Deep Dives

St. Charles County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in St. Charles County

via TaxByCounty

St. Charles taxes exceed national norms

St. Charles County's effective tax rate of 1.125% ranks in the 72nd percentile nationally, well above the national median of 0.71%. The county's median property tax of $3,340 exceeds the national median of $2,690 by 24%, even though home values are closer to parity. This makes St. Charles one of the higher-tax counties outside traditional high-tax states.

St. Charles ranks second highest in state

At 1.125%, St. Charles County's effective rate is 54% higher than Missouri's state average of 0.733%. Only St. Louis County surpasses it statewide with a 1.225% rate, making these two counties the state's tax leaders. The median property tax of $3,340 is 179% above the state median of $1,199.

Significantly higher than regional peers

St. Charles County's 1.125% rate towers above neighboring St. Francois County (0.749%) and Stoddard County (0.654%) by 50% and 72% respectively. Only the neighboring St. Louis County region compares in tax burden. This gap reflects regional variation in local government spending and debt service across eastern Missouri.

Your $296,800 home costs $3,340 yearly

A median-value home in St. Charles County generates an estimated annual property tax of $3,340—approximately $278 per month. Owners with mortgages pay closer to $3,370 when escrow is included. Over a 30-year mortgage, that's roughly $100,200 in property taxes.

St. Charles property appeals save money

Given St. Charles County's high tax burden, many homeowners benefit from formal assessment appeals to challenge potentially inflated valuations. The county assessor's office accepts appeals during specific periods, and overassessments are common enough to justify the modest effort required. Even a 5% reduction in assessed value yields annual savings of $167 for typical properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Charles County

via CostByCounty

St. Charles housing costs meet income

St. Charles County renters spend 15.3% of income on housing, a rate that aligns closely with national affordability norms despite higher absolute costs. The county's $102,912 median household income—37% above the national average—absorbs $1,312 monthly rents comfortably compared to less-wealthy regions.

Competitive affordability among St. Louis suburbs

St. Charles ranks in the middle tier of Missouri counties for affordability, with a 15.3% rent-to-income ratio just shy of the state average of 15.6%. Higher incomes offset steeper housing costs, positioning it as an accessible suburban option relative to St. Louis city.

Premium pricing, premium incomes

St. Charles rents ($1,312/month) exceed nearby Shelby County by $742 and Stoddard County by $575, but household incomes here average $102,912—the highest among peer counties. This wealth differential makes St. Charles housing manageable despite higher absolute prices.

Suburban spending on housing

St. Charles households earning $102,912 annually ($8,576/month) dedicate $1,312 to rent or $1,506 to mortgage, consuming 15-18% of gross income for housing. This leaves substantial room for discretionary spending compared to lower-income counties struggling with affordability.

St. Charles for suburban seekers

St. Charles County appeals to higher-earning households seeking suburban amenities near St. Louis without the city's premium rents. Compare your current rent-to-income ratio: if it exceeds 20%, moving here could free up hundreds monthly while gaining better schools and services.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Charles County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Charles Surpasses National Income Benchmarks

St. Charles County's median household income of $102,912 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $28,157, placing it in the top income tier nationally. This strong earnings power reflects a prosperous regional economy and skilled workforce.

Missouri's Second-Wealthiest County

At $102,912, St. Charles ranks among the highest-earning counties statewide, trailing only the wealthiest Missouri counties. The median income runs $43,409 above Missouri's state average of $59,503, signaling exceptional regional prosperity.

St. Charles Leads the Region

St. Charles County's $102,912 median income substantially outpaces nearby counties: St. Louis County ($81,340), Ste. Genevieve ($61,310), and Shelby ($52,127). This commanding lead reflects St. Charles's strong job market and higher-wage employment base.

Income Supports Higher Housing Costs

St. Charles's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% remains healthy despite median home values of $296,800. Strong household incomes comfortably cover both mortgage and living expenses in this affluent county.

Leverage Your Income Edge

St. Charles residents earning above $100,000 annually have exceptional capacity to invest in diversified portfolios, education, and long-term wealth building. Working with a financial advisor to optimize tax strategies and retirement savings can multiply your advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Charles County

via HealthByCounty

St. Charles leads the nation in longevity

At 79.1 years, St. Charles County residents have a life expectancy well above the U.S. average of 74.5 years—a striking 4.6-year advantage that reflects robust healthcare and healthy living. Only 14.2% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to 21% nationally, making St. Charles one of Missouri's healthiest counties.

St. Charles dominates Missouri's health rankings

St. Charles's 79.1-year life expectancy towers 4.8 years above Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, placing it among the state's top-performing counties. The county's 6.2% uninsured rate is dramatically lower than Missouri's 12.5% average, showing strong healthcare access and coverage.

St. Charles far outpaces surrounding counties

St. Charles's 79.1-year life expectancy is 3.6 years higher than Ste. Genevieve (76.5) and 3.1 years higher than St. Louis County (76.3), the two nearest competitors. With 47 primary care providers and 235 mental health providers per 100K, St. Charles has healthcare density that rivals urban centers, far exceeding regional averages.

Provider abundance enables routine, quality care

St. Charles residents enjoy 47 primary care providers per 100K—more than triple the national average—meaning most patients can access preventive and routine care quickly. The 235 mental health providers per 100K create a robust behavioral health ecosystem, ensuring those seeking counseling or psychiatric services face minimal delays.

Maintain coverage with annual plan reviews

Even in well-insured St. Charles, annual coverage reviews ensure you have the best plan for your family's needs and budget. Take time during open enrollment to compare marketplace plans and employer options at Healthcare.gov to lock in the right coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Charles County

via RiskByCounty

St. Charles County: Moderately Higher Risk

St. Charles County's composite risk score of 92.59 earns a "Relatively Moderate" rating, nearly double Missouri's state average of 50.56. This reflects significant exposure to multiple natural disaster hazards.

Among State's Highest-Risk Counties

St. Charles County ranks among Missouri's most hazard-prone areas, with its 92.59 composite score exceeding the state average substantially. Only a handful of Missouri counties face comparable overall disaster risk.

Riskier Than Most Regional Peers

St. Charles County (92.59) faces significantly higher risk than Shelby County (15.94) and St. Clair County (25.64) in the same region. Its risk profile aligns most closely with other major Missouri urban centers.

Tornadoes, Floods, and Earthquakes Dominate

St. Charles County confronts severe tornado risk (96.37), significant flood danger (94.24), and substantial earthquake exposure (94.62). Combined, these three hazards create a complex disaster environment requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Comprehensive Coverage Essential Here

St. Charles County residents should prioritize flood insurance, tornado-resistant construction standards, and comprehensive homeowners coverage. Given the county's elevated multi-hazard risk, additional protections could prove invaluable.

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.