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St. Francois County, MO

RANK #577 / 996  ·  POP 66,814  ·  MO

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%

St. Francois County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why St. Francois County?

St. Francois County, Missouri, stands out for its unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance, particularly evident in towns like Bonne Terre and Farmington. Bonne Terre is home to the historic Bonne Terre Mine, a former lead mine now famous for its underground lake and tours, including scuba diving opportunities. Located about an hour south of St. Louis, the county offers a community feel with access to outdoor recreation. St. Francois State Park, encompassing forested ridges and the Big River, provides extensive hiking, equestrian trails, canoeing, and camping. The region's landscape, part of the St. Francois Mountains, features rugged hills and clear streams. Life in St. Francois County offers a balance of small-town living with convenient access to larger city amenities. Public schools in the county are generally above average, with Farmington Senior High School and Jefferson Elementary School among the top-ranked. The economy is supported by sectors such as healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing, with employers like BJC Parkland Health Center and Farmington Correctional Center. Recent economic developments include infrastructure improvements in Farmington, with county and state contributions to road projects and a new roundabout.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.1x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+4.7%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+1.2%

Below national median

Climate & Terrain
1.7

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
16x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

St. Francois County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
66,814
-0.53% YoY
Median Household Income
$53,083
Median Home Value
$141,700
+1.19% 12mo
Median Rent
$748
Average Annual Pay
$43,743
+5.6% YoY
Employment
23,026
+3.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3746
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.81%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$190,000
Days on Market
76
Slower market
Months of Supply
3.7
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
95.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
20.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
22.5%
Building Permits (2024)
149
Single-Family Permits
85

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.7% 81 percentile
Population Growth -0.5% 10 percentile
Income Growth +6.1% 9 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 40 percentile
Home Price Change +1.2% 48 percentile
Price/Rent 16x 28 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is St. Francois County, MO a good place to move to?

St. Francois County has a Boom Town Index score of 42/100, ranking #577 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +3.3% and a median household income of $53,083, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is St. Francois County affordable?

The median home value in St. Francois County is $141,700 with median rent at $748/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3746, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is St. Francois County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +3.3%. Home values changed +1.2% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to St. Francois County?

Yes — 4.81% of St. Francois County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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