countyscore
37.5
County Score
Weather & Climate 62.4Soil Quality 60.6Property Tax 60.2

County Report Card

About St. Francois County, Missouri

Lagging Behind National Averages

St. Francois County earns a composite score of 37.3, falling well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects significant challenges across several key dimensions of livability.

Below the Missouri Standard

The county's score of 37.3 trails the Missouri average of 50.3 by a wide margin. Improving local safety and infrastructure will be critical to closing this gap with state peers.

Moderate Living Costs and Tax Rates

Housing remains relatively accessible with a cost score of 59.1 and median home values of $155,100. Tax favorability is a bright spot, scoring 57.9 with an effective tax rate of 0.749%.

Safety Concerns and Aging Infrastructure

The county struggles with a safety score of 11.9 and a water quality score of 16.7. These factors, combined with a health score of 26.9, present substantial hurdles for current residents.

Best for Value-Driven Homebuyers

This county suits buyers looking for entry-level home prices and reasonable tax bills who are comfortable managing local safety and water issues. It is a pragmatic choice for those prioritizing immediate housing affordability.

2040608010060.257.911.926.939.126.821.516.762.4Tax60.2Cost57.9Safety11.9Health26.9Schools39.1Income26.8Risk21.5Water16.7Weather62.437.5/100
This county
National avg
6 below average

St. Francois County DNA

Foverall

How St. Francois County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

St. Francois County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (57.9/100) but notably weak in Safety (11.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60.2+8.200000000000003
Cost
57.9+9.899999999999999
Safety
11.9-43.1
Health
26.9-23.1
Schools
39.1-14.899999999999999
Income
26.8-24.2
Risk
21.5-25.5
Water
16.7-41.3
Weather
62.4
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Compare mortgage rates in St. Francois County

Whether buying or refinancing in St. Francois County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$169,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$794/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$169,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,477/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

3.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

St. Francois County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Francois County

via TaxByCounty

St. Francois taxes near national average

St. Francois County's effective tax rate of 0.749% sits just above the national median of 0.71%, placing it near the 50th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $1,161 is comfortably below the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and a lighter tax approach. This positions St. Francois as a fairly typical American county for tax burden.

Slightly above Missouri's average

At 0.749%, St. Francois County's effective rate exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733% by just 2%. The median property tax of $1,161 is nearly at the state median of $1,199. St. Francois ranks near the state middle, neither particularly tax-friendly nor tax-heavy.

Middle ground in the eastern region

St. Francois County's 0.749% rate falls between lower-tax peers like St. Clair (0.639%) and higher-tax neighbors like Shelby County (0.896%). The county bridges the gap between the region's most and least tax-burdened communities. Its position reflects moderate local government spending relative to regional peers.

Your $155,100 home costs $1,161 yearly

A median-value home in St. Francois County generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,161—approximately $97 per month. Owners with mortgages typically pay around $1,245 when escrow is factored in. Over 30 years, that amounts to roughly $34,830 in property taxes.

St. Francois property owners should appeal

St. Francois County residents can challenge potentially inflated assessments through the county assessor's formal appeal process. Many homeowners discover their properties are overvalued, especially if home values have declined since the last full assessment. Filing an appeal is straightforward and can result in meaningful annual tax savings.

Income & Jobs in St. Francois County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Francois Income Below U.S. Average

St. Francois County's median household income of $54,813 trails the national median of $74,755 by $19,942. This gap reflects a county economy with less earning power than the typical American county.

Slightly Below Missouri's Average

St. Francois's $54,813 median income runs $4,690 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of Missouri's 114 counties by household income.

Competitive Income Among Peers

St. Francois's $54,813 sits between Shelby County ($52,127) and Ste. Genevieve ($61,310) nearby. The county earns more than St. Clair ($46,731) but significantly less than St. Louis County ($81,340).

Tight Housing-to-Income Ratio

St. Francois's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% is the highest among area counties, signaling tighter housing affordability pressures. With median home values at $155,100, budget-conscious planning becomes essential for local homebuyers.

Maximize Your Earnings Potential

St. Francois residents should prioritize skill development and career advancement to increase household income over time. Pairing wage growth with disciplined budgeting creates pathways to homeownership and financial security.

Safety in St. Francois County

via CrimeByCounty

Tracking Higher Incident Rates in St. Francois

St. Francois County holds a safety score of 95.9, which is slightly lower than the state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 2,604.2 per 100K people is higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

Above the Missouri Crime Average

The county's crime rate sits above the Missouri average of 1,926.2, suggesting higher local activity than in many neighboring rural areas. Ten reporting agencies actively monitor and manage public safety across the county.

Regional Comparisons Show Higher Risk

St. Francois experiences more frequent crime incidents per capita than the average Missouri county. This higher frequency is largely driven by property-related incidents rather than violent offenses.

Property Crime Exceeds National Benchmarks

Property crime is the primary concern at 2,337.8 per 100K, which exceeds the national average of 2,015.7. However, the violent crime rate of 266.4 per 100K remains lower than the national benchmark of 369.8.

Strategic Security for Local Homeowners

Because property crime rates exceed the national average, home security is a vital investment for local residents. Visible security cameras and deadbolts provide essential layers of defense in higher-activity areas.

Weather & Climate in St. Francois County

via WeatherByCounty

Mild and Moist Transitional Climate

St. Francois County averages 56.1°F annually, placing it significantly above the national median temperature. This region is characterized by higher-than-average humidity and rainfall.

A Wetter Corner of Missouri

At 45.2 inches of annual precipitation, St. Francois is noticeably wetter than the state average of 43.8 inches. Its 56.1°F annual temperature also ranks it among the warmer counties in Missouri.

Warmer Winters than St. Louis

The county enjoys milder winters than its northern neighbors, with a December-February average of 35.3°F. It sees fewer extreme heat days (32) than the urban core to its north.

Rainy Springs and Light Snow

The county receives just 8.7 inches of snow per year, as many winter storms transition quickly to rain. Summer remains warm with a July average of 77.7°F and plenty of moisture.

Manage Moisture and Moderate Heat

Homeowners should focus on basement waterproofing and drainage due to the high 45.2-inch annual rainfall. The 32 days of extreme heat suggest a need for reliable, but not constant, cooling.

Soil Quality in St. Francois County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Soil with High Potential

St. Francois County features acidic Entisols with a pH of 5.69, significantly lower than the state average of 6.09. Despite the acidity, the county maintains a respectable soil score of 60.6.

Fine-Textured Silty Clay Loams

A low 12.2% clay content combined with 51.6% silt creates a silty clay loam that is relatively easy to till. The 16.2% sand fraction provides just enough structure to keep the soil from compacting too easily.

Massive Organic Matter Reserves

The county boasts an extraordinary 15.57% organic matter, roughly triple the Missouri state average. This high organic content is an incredible asset for fertility, even though the available water capacity (0.157 in/in) is lower than average.

Well Drained for Development

Classified as well drained, this soil is excellent for preventing root rot and supporting building foundations. It falls into hydrologic group C, indicating moderate runoff potential when the soil is saturated.

Maximize Your Zone 6b Harvest

The high organic matter makes this a dream for heavy feeders like tomatoes and squash if you manage the pH. Leverage the 6b climate to get an early start on cool-season crops in these well-drained soils.

Lawn Care in St. Francois County

via LawnByCounty

Managing Mid-Range Lawn Difficulty

With a score of 56.5, St. Francois County is more challenging for lawn care than the state average. This Zone 6b area requires proactive maintenance to stay healthy compared to the broader Missouri landscape.

Plenty of Rain for Thirsty Turf

The county receives 45.2 inches of precipitation annually, which is higher than the state average of 43.7. This extra moisture helps offset the 32 extreme heat days, keeping grass greener for longer into the summer months.

Correcting Low Soil pH

The soil pH of 5.69 is quite acidic and typically requires lime amendments to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. On the plus side, the silty clay loam is well-drained, which prevents water from pooling around the roots of your grass.

Targeted Watering for Dry Zones

While most of the county is abnormally dry, 0.4% is already facing severe drought conditions. Target these vulnerable spots with consistent irrigation to mitigate the effects of the 28 weeks of drought seen last year.

Spring Seeding for Best Results

Target the window after April 13 to begin seeding your lawn with cool-season grasses like Perennial Ryegrass. You have 4,114 growing degree days to work with before the first frost hits around October 21.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St. Francois County's county score?
St. Francois County, Missouri has a composite county score of 37.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does St. Francois County rank among counties in Missouri?
St. Francois County ranks #107 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in St. Francois County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in St. Francois County is $1,188, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns St. Francois County a tax score of 60.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in St. Francois County?
The median household income in St. Francois County, Missouri is $57,477 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. St. Francois County earns an income score of 26.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is St. Francois County, Missouri a good place to live?
St. Francois County scores 37.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #107 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate St. Francois County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare St. Francois County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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