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St. Joseph, MO

Missouri

St. Joseph is a mid-size city in Missouri with a population of 71,542. Residents earn $55,578 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
71,542 Population 1,624/sq mi density
$55,578 Median Income $31,499 per capita
$144,200 Home Value
$884 Median Rent 30.8% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 280 sunny days/yr
454 Violent Crime/100K 5,557 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$55,578 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$144,200 home value, $884/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
454 violent crimes/100K (20% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,578
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $144,200
49% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 454/100K
20% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.7%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $884
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.4%
35% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.6%
10% higher than US avg

How St. Joseph Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population71,542
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density1,624/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 80%
Veterans7.4%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,578
Per Capita$31,499
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty13.6%
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$144,200
Rent$884
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units33,137
Rent Burden30.8%

Crime

F
Violent454/100K
Property5,557/100K
Murder2.6/100K
Assault264/100K
Burglary880/100K

Health

Obesity43.4%
Uninsured11.4%
Smoking20.0%
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain30.9 in/yr
Sunny Days280/yr
Elevation1,102 ft (336 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.7%
High School+89.1%
Graduate+6.8%
School Score5.51

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute17 min
Broadband83.7%
EV Stations5

Is St. Joseph a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, St. Joseph receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. St. Joseph offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in St. Joseph is $55,578, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. 13.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in St. Joseph is $144,200, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $884 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 454 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,557 per 100,000, 184% above the national average.

Education

22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

St. Joseph experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 280 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 30.9 inches, including 6.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

St. Joseph has a population of 71,542 with a density of 1,624 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.4%), with 1.7% Hispanic, 6.7% Black.

Population

71,542
Total Population
1,624
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
44.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

St. Joseph vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.6%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.4%
45% below US avg

Social Characteristics

St. Joseph vs U.S. Average

The median household income in St. Joseph is $55,578, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: St. Joseph vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,578
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,499

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.6%
10% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Cost of Living90.80 (100=avg)

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.5 min
Drive Alone79.1%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in St. Joseph is $144,200, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $884 (24% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$144,200
49% below US avg
Median List Price$200,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$200,000
$/Sq Ft$125
Homes Sold67
Sale-to-List Ratio96.0%
Price Drops26.5%
Inventory189

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$884
24% below US avg
Rent Burden30.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$732
1 Bedroom$775
2 Bedrooms$970
3 Bedrooms$1,265
4 Bedrooms$1,457

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.4%
Housing Units33,137
Median Year Built1961

Property Tax

In St. Joseph, 43.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.4% of residents lack health insurance. 20.0% are current smokers. 25.8% report depression. 32.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: St. Joseph vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.4%
35% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure34.9%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.7%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.0%
43% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity32.3%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.3%
Short Sleep40.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.4%
Uninsured11.4%
33% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.1%
Dental Visits55.9%

Food & Exercise

St. Joseph has a violent crime rate of 454 per 100,000 residents, 20% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,557 per 100,000 (184% above US avg). The murder rate is 2.6 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: St. Joseph vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent454.3/100K
20% above US avg
Murder2.6/100K
59% below US avg
Rape72.5/100K
Robbery115.2/100K
Assault264.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,557.2/100K
184% above US avg
Burglary880.0/100K
Theft4,264.3/100K
Vehicle Theft412.8/100K
Arson15.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
St. Joseph has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.9 inches. The area enjoys 280 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average14°F (-10°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days280 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.9 inches
19% below US avg
Snowfall6.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,102 ft (336 m)
Area44.0 sq mi (114.1 km²)
Population Density1,624/sq mi
Coordinates42.9133°N, 94.2272°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.2-point margin. 83.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.6%
D 22.4%

Winner: Republican by 54.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.7%
33% below US avg
High School+89.1%
Graduate Degree+6.8%
School Test Score5.51
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density1,624/sq mi
Total Area44.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.7%
EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations8

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.5 min
Drive Alone79.1%
Public Transit0.3%
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Algona, IA 5,414 pop · 11.3 mi Humboldt, IA 4,761 pop · 13.2 mi Eagle Grove, IA 3,588 pop · 23.7 mi Britt, IA 1,919 pop · 25.0 mi Pocahontas, IA 1,536 pop · 25.4 mi Emmetsburg, IA 3,651 pop · 26.8 mi Fort Dodge, IA 24,788 pop · 28.0 mi Clarion, IA 2,775 pop · 28.1 mi Manson, IA 1,653 pop · 31.0 mi Belmond, IA 2,678 pop · 31.7 mi Laurens, IA 1,234 pop · 31.8 mi Garner, IA 3,062 pop · 34.1 mi Graettinger, IA 1,038 pop · 34.6 mi Webster City, IA 7,769 pop · 37.4 mi
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