St. Thomas: Economy & Jobs
$89,688 is the median household income in St. Thomas (1.2× higher than Cole County median $74,876; 1.2× higher than Missouri median $72,119), with homes at a median value of $212,000. The surrounding county supports 54,302 jobs (avg $55,952).
- $72,231 avg taxable income per return — lower than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $89,688 — above the Missouri median ($72,118). Poverty rate 3.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 2.4× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 12.1% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 3.1% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 1.8% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $37,770 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $2,728,149 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $72,231 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $90,306 |
| Median Household Income | $89,688 (vs Missouri $72,119) |
| Poverty Rate | 3.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Public Admin |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $89,688 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. 14% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 13.5% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 54,302 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $3,038,347,576 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $55,952 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,876,400 |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 237 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 121,609 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 513.10 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Crop Totals, Cattle, Grain, Poultry Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 2,200 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 36,271 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 1,793,123 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 10 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 35 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 65 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 67 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 10 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 11 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (10)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (2)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Dollar General 11811 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 4.0 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | GALENA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $3,237,242,462 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 41,890.33 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 77,279 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 71.4% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 0.8% |
| Pct Walked | 13.5% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 39.6 years (vs Missouri 39.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 32.6% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | good |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12