RANK #90 / 996 · POP 226,984 · MO
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.0%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 8.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 996 counties.
Jefferson County has a Boom Town Index score of 91/100, ranking #90 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.2% and a median household income of $77,217, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Jefferson County is $202,500 with median rent at $957/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3813, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.2%. Home values changed +4.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.69% of Jefferson County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.