St. Charles County

The St. Charles County economy is thriving, with a per capita income of $64,563, above Missouri’s state average. The poverty rate for working-age individuals (4.1%) is significantly lower than the state’s 12.3%. Employment has remained strong, with an unemployment rate of 2.1% in 2022, among the lowest in the state. The county also has fewer barriers to employment, with lower-than-average disability rates (8.5%) and only 5.9% of residents speaking a language other than English at home.

Key industries driving the region include transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, and professional services, with rapid growth in warehousing (18.5%) and information services (7.1%). The county has high industry concentrations in transportation equipment manufacturing, warehousing, and plastics manufacturing. Job demand is highest for retail sales, customer service representatives, truck drivers, and healthcare professionals, with registered nurses, software developers, and operations managers among the most sought-after high-skill positions. Employers report hiring challenges, citing a shortage of skilled applicants as a key issue, and many are addressing this with on-the-job training programs.

Looking ahead, employment is projected to grow across multiple sectors, particularly in food services, healthcare, and professional services. Employers continue to focus on talent retention, with 86% increasing wages and 64% offering flexible work schedules to remain competitive. Despite workforce challenges, St. Charles County remains one of Missouri’s most economically stable and fastest-growing regions, with a strong labor force and expanding job opportunities.