Phelps County

Phelps County is located in south-central Missouri, within the northern Ozarks and along the Interstate 44 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield. Established in 1857 and named for U.S. Representative John S. Phelps, the county developed around rail and highway transportation and has long served as a regional center for surrounding rural areas. Phelps County is mid-sized by Missouri standards, with a population of roughly 45,000 residents. The county’s landscape includes rolling hills, forests, and river valleys, with the Gasconade River and Mark Twain National Forest influencing land use and recreation. Rolla, the county seat, anchors local government and commerce and is home to the Missouri University of Science and Technology, giving the area an educational and research presence alongside manufacturing, services, and agriculture. The county combines small-city amenities in Rolla with predominantly rural communities elsewhere.

Phelps County is located in south-central Missouri along the Interstate 44 corridor, with Rolla as the county seat and a regional hub for education and transportation. The county lies within the Ozarks region and is part of the broader central Missouri economic area.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts profile for Phelps County, Missouri, the county’s population size is reported in the most recent decennial census and updated annual estimates shown on that page (QuickFacts presents both counts and estimates where available).

Age & Gender

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Phelps County, county-level age distribution (including median age and key age brackets) and sex composition (percent female/male) are published in the demographic characteristics tables provided on the QuickFacts profile.

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Phelps County, the county’s racial composition (e.g., White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Two or more races) and Hispanic or Latino (of any race) population share are reported directly in the race and ethnicity section.

Household & Housing Data

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Phelps County, the county’s household and housing indicators include measures such as persons per household, owner-occupied housing rate, median value of owner-occupied housing units, median selected monthly owner costs and gross rent, and total housing units (as available in the QuickFacts tables).

For local government and planning resources, visit the Phelps County official website.

Phelps County (anchored by Rolla and surrounded by lower-density rural areas) relies heavily on terrestrial broadband and cellular coverage; distance from dense metro infrastructure can widen neighborhood-level gaps in reliable, high-speed connectivity, shaping how consistently residents can use email for work, school, and services.

Direct county-level email usage rates are not routinely published; broadband and device access are commonly used proxies for the practicality of regular email use. The U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) and its American Community Survey provide Phelps County indicators such as household broadband subscriptions and computer ownership, which track the likelihood of having dependable email access at home. Age structure also influences adoption: older populations tend to have lower rates of routine use of online communication tools than prime working-age adults, making the county’s age distribution (available via Census demographic profiles) a relevant proxy. Gender distributions are available from the same sources but are generally less predictive of email access than age and connectivity factors.

Infrastructure constraints are reflected in service-availability and funding maps from the FCC National Broadband Map and Missouri’s state broadband initiatives, which document gaps and upgrades affecting reliable email connectivity.

Phelps County is in south-central Missouri, anchored by Rolla (home to Missouri University of Science and Technology) and surrounded by lower-density rural areas and forested/karst terrain typical of the northern Ozarks. This mix of a small urban center, dispersed rural housing, and hilly topography can affect mobile connectivity because signal propagation and backhaul deployment are more challenging outside population centers. Basic county context is available from Census.gov QuickFacts for Phelps County and local references such as the Phelps County website.

Key distinction: network availability vs. household adoption

• Network availability refers to whether mobile providers report service coverage at a location (often modeled/predicted and reported to regulators).
• Household adoption refers to whether residents subscribe to mobile service and/or use mobile as their primary internet connection, which is measured by surveys and subscription datasets.

County-level mobile metrics are not consistently published in a single source; availability data is typically modeled coverage, while adoption data is often published at state level or as survey microdata rather than county summaries. The sections below identify the best-established sources and the limitations of county-specific estimates.

Mobile penetration or access indicators (adoption)

Cellular subscription and “cellular-only” households

• County-specific “mobile penetration” (share of individuals with a mobile subscription) is not routinely released as an official county statistic by federal agencies in a single table.
• For household telephone-service adoption, the most widely cited benchmark is the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) “wireless substitution” series, which measures the share of U.S. households that are wireless-only (cell phones only, no landline). This series is national and state-level, not reliably county-level. Reference: CDC/NCHS Wireless Substitution (NHIS).
• For internet subscriptions, the American Community Survey (ACS) provides county-level estimates of whether households have an internet subscription and the type (including cellular data plans). This is a core county-level indicator for mobile internet adoption. Primary source access is through data.census.gov (ACS tables on computer and internet use; table names and availability vary by release year).

Mobile service affordability and access support signals

• Participation in federal affordability programs has historically served as an indirect indicator of lower-income connectivity constraints. Program status and reporting are federal and provider-administered and not consistently published as county-wide mobile adoption metrics. Reference: FCC (program and broadband data resources).

Limitation: The ACS can identify households with cellular-data-plan subscriptions, but it does not measure “mobile penetration” in the sense of active SIMs per capita, nor does it measure indoor signal quality or experienced speeds.

Mobile internet usage patterns and network technology availability (4G/5G)

Reported coverage and technology layers (availability)

• The primary regulatory dataset for mobile broadband availability is the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection (BDC), which includes provider-reported mobile coverage footprints by technology generation (e.g., LTE and 5G variants). County summaries and map-based queries can be derived from the FCC’s mapping tools and downloadable data. Reference: FCC National Broadband Map.
• The FCC map distinguishes types of 5G where reported (for example, 5G “NR” and related categories) and provides availability information that is not equivalent to adoption.

Typical county pattern in mixed urban–rural Missouri settings (availability framing, not adoption)

• In counties with one principal city (Rolla) and extensive rural areas, 4G LTE availability is generally more geographically continuous than 5G, with 5G more likely to be concentrated near the city, along major corridors, and in higher-demand areas where carriers have upgraded radios and backhaul.
• Terrain (hills, forests, and valleys) can create coverage variability even inside “served” polygons, particularly for higher-frequency 5G layers that tend to have shorter effective range than many LTE deployments.

Limitation: FCC availability is based on provider submissions and modeling. It does not directly represent experienced performance (speed, latency, congestion) at a specific address or indoors.

Observed performance (speed/quality) data sources

• Crowdsourced and measurement-based datasets exist, but they are typically not official county adoption statistics. A federal, public measurement program used for broadband performance context is FCC Measuring Broadband America (methodologies and periodic reports; mobile detail varies by publication).

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• At the household level, smartphones dominate internet access devices nationally, and the ACS provides local estimates for device categories such as smartphone, desktop/laptop, and tablet in “computer type” questions. County-level device-type distributions can be extracted for Phelps County through data.census.gov.
• Device ownership patterns commonly vary between:
  • Smartphones (primary personal device and common for mobile-only connectivity)
  • Tablets (often supplemental)
  • Laptops/desktops (more tied to fixed broadband availability and workplace/school needs)
• Dedicated mobile hotspots and fixed wireless receivers are not consistently distinguished as “device types” in public county tables, and many are counted under subscription types rather than hardware categories.

Limitation: Publicly released county tables typically describe household device availability rather than active device counts, handset capability (4G vs 5G phones), or carrier-specific device mixes.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Phelps County

Population distribution and institutions

• Rolla functions as a local population and employment center, and the presence of a large university influences daytime population, data demand concentration, and device ownership profiles typical of college communities. Baseline population and density context is available from Census.gov QuickFacts.
• Rural portions of the county have more dispersed housing, which often correlates with fewer towers per square mile and greater reliance on mobile broadband where fixed broadband options are limited (availability and adoption must be verified via FCC and ACS, respectively).

Terrain and land cover

• Ozark topography and forested areas can reduce line-of-sight and increase signal attenuation, contributing to pockets of weaker service and greater indoor/outdoor performance gaps. Terrain effects primarily influence service quality rather than whether coverage is reported as available.

Income, age, and household composition

• Lower-income households are more likely to rely on smartphones as their primary connection and may be more sensitive to plan costs and data caps; older populations often show lower smartphone adoption and different usage patterns. These relationships are well established in national surveys, while Phelps County-specific breakdowns are most directly obtained through ACS demographic cross-tabs on data.census.gov rather than a single published county report.

County-specific data availability summary (what is and is not directly measurable)

• Network availability (4G/5G): Best obtained from the FCC National Broadband Map (provider-reported mobile coverage). This shows where service is reported, not how many households subscribe.
• Household adoption and device indicators: Best obtained from ACS on data.census.gov, including household internet subscription types (including cellular data plans) and device availability (including smartphones).
• Direct “mobile penetration” (subscriptions per capita) and handset capability mix (share of 5G phones): Not typically published as official county-level statistics; carrier proprietary datasets and some commercial analytics exist but are not standard public references.
• State broadband planning context: Missouri broadband planning and mapping resources provide statewide program context and may include regional analyses. Reference: Missouri Department of Economic Development broadband resources.

Practical interpretation for Phelps County (evidence-based framing)

• Availability: FCC mobile coverage datasets are the authoritative public reference for whether LTE and 5G are reported as available in specific parts of Phelps County, with stronger multi-technology availability generally expected near Rolla and along major routes than in sparsely populated, rugged areas.
• Adoption: ACS tables provide the most direct county-level indicators of how many households rely on cellular data plans for internet access and how commonly smartphones are present in households, enabling a clear separation between service being available and being used.

Phelps County is in south‑central Missouri along the Interstate 44 corridor, anchored by Rolla (home to Missouri University of Science and Technology), with additional population in St. James and surrounding rural communities. The county’s mix of a university town, a regional healthcare and logistics footprint, and nearby agricultural areas tends to produce social media patterns that blend student-driven usage with broader, mainstream adult adoption typical of Missouri.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• Local (county-specific) social media penetration: Not published in a reliable, regularly updated form at the county level by major survey organizations.
• Best available benchmarks used to approximate local context (U.S. adult usage):
  • About 7 in 10 U.S. adults use at least one social media site (national benchmark). Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Use in 2023.
  • Missouri counties with a college-centered hub (Rolla) often track at or above national usage for ages 18–29, while more rural portions tend to resemble the lower-usage end of national adult ranges for older groups (pattern consistent with national age gradients reported by Pew).

Age group trends

National survey data consistently show social media use skewing younger, with high use persisting through middle age:

• 18–29: Highest overall social media use; also highest concentration of heavy users across multiple platforms. Source: Pew Research Center social media use tables.
• 30–49: High usage, typically second-highest after 18–29.
• 50–64: Moderate usage, with platform selection shifting toward Facebook and YouTube.
• 65+: Lowest usage overall, with Facebook and YouTube dominating among those who do use social media.

Local context note: Rolla’s university presence increases the share of residents in the 18–29 range compared with many fully rural counties, supporting higher adoption of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube among younger adults.

Gender breakdown

County-specific gender splits are not reliably published by major survey programs; national patterns provide the most defensible reference:

• Overall social media use by gender: Pew reports broadly similar overall adoption among men and women, with platform-level differences more pronounced than overall usage. Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Use in 2023.
• Common platform-level differences (national):
  • Women tend to be more represented on Pinterest and somewhat more on Instagram.
  • Men tend to be more represented on Reddit and some other discussion/community platforms. (See platform-specific demographic tables in the Pew report linked above.)

Most-used platforms (percent using; U.S. adult benchmarks)

Reliable platform usage percentages are generally available at the national level (not county level). Pew’s most-cited U.S. adult platform use estimates include:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• WhatsApp: ~29%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• X (formerly Twitter): ~22%
• Reddit: ~22%
  Source: Pew Research Center: Social Media Use in 2023.

Interpretation for Phelps County: Platform ordering typically resembles the national pattern—YouTube and Facebook as near-universal staples across ages, with Instagram/TikTok/Snapchat concentrated in younger cohorts (reinforced by the Rolla student population), and LinkedIn associated with professional users (engineering/tech and healthcare roles are locally salient).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Multi-platform use is common among younger adults: National data show younger users are more likely to use several platforms, supporting cross-posting and short-form video consumption (TikTok/Instagram/YouTube). Source: Pew Research Center social media report.
• Video is a primary mode of engagement: YouTube’s reach (83% of adults nationally) indicates video viewing and search-like behavior (how-to, local information, entertainment) as a dominant pattern; this is consistent with mixed urban–rural areas where YouTube functions as both entertainment and utility media.
• Community and local information flows skew toward Facebook: Nationally high Facebook usage (68%) aligns with common local behaviors such as following community groups, school and civic pages, event announcements, and marketplace activity.
• Short-form video and creator-led discovery are strongest among younger residents: TikTok (33% of adults nationally) and Instagram (47%) capture attention through algorithmic feeds; college-age populations typically drive higher-than-average concentration of these behaviors within counties that include a major campus community.
• Platform preference by life stage: National patterns show older adults who use social media concentrate on fewer platforms (often Facebook and YouTube), while younger adults diversify across visually oriented and messaging-adjacent networks (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok). Source: Pew Research Center.

Phelps County family and associate-related public records primarily include vital records (birth and death) and court records affecting family status. Missouri birth and death certificates are state vital records; Phelps County requests are typically handled through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Bureau of Vital Records and may also be available through local vital-records offices. Adoption records are generally created and maintained through the circuit court and are not public; access is restricted under Missouri confidentiality rules.

Marriage licenses and related filings are maintained by the county recorder. The Phelps County Recorder of Deeds provides information on recorded documents and local procedures.

Family-related court case files (e.g., dissolutions, custody, guardianships, adoptions) are maintained by the 25th Judicial Circuit Court (Phelps County). Public case docket information is available through the statewide Missouri Case.net system; detailed documents are typically accessed through the circuit clerk’s office at the courthouse.

Access methods include online searches (Case.net and any county-provided recorder search tools) and in-person requests at the recorder’s office, circuit clerk, or appropriate vital-records office. Privacy restrictions commonly apply to adoption files, certain juvenile matters, and some protected personal identifiers; certified copies of vital records are limited to eligible requesters under DHSS rules.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage license application and marriage license: Created when a couple applies to marry in Phelps County through the Recorder of Deeds.
• Marriage certificate / marriage return: The officiant completes and returns proof that the ceremony occurred; the Recorder records the completed return as the official local marriage record.

Divorce records

• Divorce case file: Maintained by the Circuit Court and typically includes the petition, summons/returns of service, motions, and related filings.
• Divorce decree (judgment): The final court order dissolving the marriage; part of the Circuit Court record.

Annulment records

• Annulment case file and judgment: Annulments are court proceedings; records are maintained by the Circuit Court in the same manner as other civil/domestic relations matters.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage records (Phelps County Recorder of Deeds)

• Filing office: Phelps County Recorder of Deeds records marriage licenses and completed marriage returns for marriages licensed in the county.
• Access methods:
  • Certified copies are obtained from the Recorder of Deeds, generally by in-person or written request; fees and identification requirements are set by local office procedures and Missouri law.
  • Index/verification: Many counties provide public access to basic index information (names/date/license number) via in-office search or online systems, where available.

Divorce and annulment records (Phelps County Circuit Court)

• Filing office: Phelps County Circuit Court (25th Judicial Circuit) maintains divorce and annulment case records.
• Access methods:
  • Court copies: Copies of judgments/decrees and other filings are available through the Circuit Clerk’s office, subject to court access rules and redactions.
  • Case information systems: Missouri courts provide statewide case information via Case.net (public access varies by case type and confidentiality rules). Link: https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/.

State-level marriage record repository (Missouri)

• Missouri Bureau of Vital Records maintains statewide marriage records beginning in July 1948 (and earlier in some cases through local records). Certified copies may be available through the state in addition to county copies. Link: https://health.mo.gov/data/vitalrecords/.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage licenses / returns

Common elements include:

• Full names of both parties (including maiden name where applicable)
• Date and place of marriage (ceremony date and location)
• Date license issued; license number and recording information
• Ages or dates of birth (varies by era and form)
• Places of residence; sometimes place of birth
• Officiant name/title and officiant’s certification
• Witness information (varies by form and era)

Divorce decrees (judgments)

Common elements include:

• Court name, county, case number, and filing/judgment dates
• Names of the parties
• Findings and orders regarding dissolution of the marriage
• Orders concerning child custody/parenting arrangements and child support (when applicable)
• Maintenance (spousal support) provisions (when applicable)
• Property division and debt allocation (when applicable)
• Restoration of a prior name (when requested and granted)

Annulment judgments

Common elements include:

• Court, county, case number, and judgment date
• Names of the parties
• Legal basis and findings supporting annulment
• Orders addressing children, support, or property issues as applicable to the proceeding

Privacy and legal restrictions

Marriage records

• Marriage records held by a county Recorder of Deeds are generally treated as public records, with certified copies issued under established procedures.
• Some personal identifiers may be limited or redacted on copies provided to the public to comply with privacy practices and applicable law.

Divorce and annulment records

• Missouri court records are generally public, but access is limited for:
  • Confidential or sealed cases (by statute or court order)
  • Protected personal information (subject to redaction rules), including items such as Social Security numbers and certain financial account identifiers
  • Certain family court-related records that may have restricted public display in electronic systems even when available at the courthouse in redacted form

Identity and eligibility controls

• Agencies and courts commonly require identification and fees for certified copies.
• Access may be restricted to specific forms (e.g., certified vs. non-certified copies) and to records that are not sealed or confidential under Missouri law or court order.

Phelps County is in south-central Missouri along the I‑44 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield. The county seat is Rolla, which functions as the primary service, education, and employment center, influenced strongly by the presence of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). The county includes a mix of small towns and rural areas; population and housing are concentrated in and around Rolla, St. James, and Newburg, with outlying areas characterized by lower-density settlement and larger-lot residential properties.

Education Indicators

Public school systems and schools (names)

Public K–12 education in Phelps County is provided primarily through:

• Rolla 31 School District (Rolla area)
• St. James R‑1 School District (St. James area)
• Newburg R‑II School District (Newburg area)

School-by-school counts and official school names are maintained by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in its district and school directories; the most authoritative consolidated reference is DESE’s district/school information and report card system (Missouri DESE). A single, countywide public-school count is not consistently presented as a standalone statistic across federal datasets; district directories are the most reliable source for enumerating campuses.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• High school graduation rate: Missouri’s official district- and building-level graduation rates are published by DESE through annual accountability reporting (DESE Accountability/Report Card). Countywide graduation rates are not always reported as a single figure; the best proxy is the weighted performance of the major districts serving the county.
• Student–teacher ratios: District-level staffing and enrollment used to derive student–teacher ratios are also reported through DESE. In practice, ratios vary by district and grade span (elementary vs. secondary) and are best taken from the most recent DESE district profiles rather than national county averages.

Data note: This summary emphasizes the official state accountability source because it is the standard reference for Missouri public school staffing, enrollment, and outcomes; county-aggregated ratios/rates are not uniformly published across all sources.

Adult educational attainment (county level)

Adult education attainment is most commonly reported from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5‑year estimates (U.S. Census Bureau data portal). For Phelps County, the county profile reflects:

• A comparatively large “some college/associate degree” share due to local higher-education presence.
• High school diploma (or equivalent) as the modal attainment level for many rural portions of the county.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher elevated relative to many nearby rural counties, influenced by Missouri S&T and associated professional employment.

Data note: Exact current percentages for “high school diploma or higher” and “bachelor’s degree or higher” should be taken from the latest ACS 5‑year table Educational Attainment (S1501) for Phelps County on data.census.gov, which is the standard, annually refreshed county source.

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP)

• STEM pathway influence: Missouri S&T (Rolla) is a major regional STEM institution and contributes to STEM enrichment, research exposure, and college-going culture in the Rolla area (Missouri S&T).
• Career and technical education (CTE): Missouri public districts typically offer CTE programs aligned with DESE frameworks (agriculture, health services, manufacturing/industrial technology, business/IT), with program availability varying by district and facilities (Missouri DESE Career Education).
• Advanced Placement/dual credit: AP and dual-credit participation is commonly offered at Missouri high schools, with availability and course lists reported at the district/building level in local course catalogs and DESE reporting.

School safety measures and counseling resources

• Safety planning: Missouri districts operate under state requirements for emergency preparedness and safety planning, typically including controlled building access, visitor management, drills, and coordination with local law enforcement; district-specific measures are documented in local board policies and safety plans, with overarching state guidance reflected through DESE resources.
• Student support and counseling: Public schools generally provide counseling services (academic planning, social-emotional supports, crisis response) through school counselors and/or contracted providers; staffing levels and program descriptions are district-specific and are typically documented in district profiles, handbooks, and DESE staffing reports.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment (most recent year)

The standard public source for county unemployment is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) (BLS LAUS). Phelps County’s unemployment rate should be referenced from the latest annual average or most recent monthly release in LAUS; the county’s labor market generally tracks regional Missouri patterns, with employment levels influenced by:

• Higher education (Missouri S&T)
• Healthcare and social assistance
• Retail and accommodation/food services along the I‑44 corridor
• Public administration and corrections

Data note: This summary does not state a specific numeric unemployment rate because the “most recent year” changes monthly; LAUS is the definitive, continuously updated series.

Major industries and employment sectors

Based on standard county sector composition for the Rolla micropolitan area and typical ACS/BLS sector reporting, major employment sectors include:

• Educational services (university and K–12)
• Healthcare and social assistance (regional hospitals/clinics and long-term care)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (I‑44 travel corridor effects and college-town demand)
• Public administration (county/city government and justice-related employment)
• Construction and manufacturing (smaller share than major metro areas but present through regional contractors and light industry)

Sector shares and counts are commonly derived from ACS “industry by occupation” tables and BLS/QCEW where available (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages).

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational structure commonly includes:

• Education, training, and library occupations (driven by school systems and university)
• Healthcare practitioners and support (clinical and support roles)
• Service occupations (food service, hospitality)
• Sales and office occupations (retail, administration)
• Construction and extraction; installation/maintenance/repair (regional building and infrastructure needs)

The most consistent county-level occupation breakdown is available through ACS occupation tables in data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns, mean commute time, and work location

• Commute mode: Predominantly drive-alone, consistent with rural and small-city Missouri commuting patterns; limited transit share.
• Mean travel time to work: Reported by ACS as “mean travel time to work.” In counties like Phelps, mean commute times tend to be moderate, reflecting local employment in Rolla and short-to-mid distance commuting from rural areas into town. The definitive value is the latest ACS 5‑year estimate (table DP03 on data.census.gov).
• Local vs. out-of-county work: A substantial share of residents work within the county (notably in Rolla), with an additional share commuting along the I‑44 corridor to nearby counties for construction, logistics, healthcare, and industrial work. ACS “place of work” and commuting flow products provide the best proxy; the Census OnTheMap/LODES commuting flows tool is commonly used for county commute patterns (Census OnTheMap).

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership and rental share

The homeownership rate and renter share are most consistently sourced from the ACS (tables in DP04: Housing Characteristics on data.census.gov). Phelps County typically reflects:

• Higher homeownership in rural parts of the county (single-family and manufactured housing on larger parcels)
• Higher renter concentration in Rolla, influenced by Missouri S&T student housing demand and the local workforce rental market

Data note: The most recent countywide owner/renter percentages are provided in the latest ACS 5‑year DP04 profile.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value: Reported in ACS DP04; this is the standard, comparable measure across counties.
• Trend context: Like much of Missouri and the U.S., Phelps County experienced upward pressure on home values in the early 2020s, with moderation in transaction volume during higher interest-rate periods. County-specific median value trends are best verified using ACS time series (multiple 5‑year releases) and/or local assessor sales data.

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent: Reported in ACS DP04. In Phelps County, rents are typically highest in Rolla and nearby neighborhoods with proximity to the university, major employers, and commercial corridors. Outlying communities generally show lower median rents and more limited multifamily inventory.

Housing types and built form

Common housing patterns include:

• Single-family detached homes as the dominant countywide type
• Apartments and multi-unit rentals concentrated in Rolla (including student-oriented complexes)
• Manufactured housing present in rural and semi-rural areas
• Rural lots/acreage homes outside incorporated areas, often relying on well/septic systems

These characteristics align with ACS housing-type distributions and local land-use patterns around the I‑44 corridor and rural townships.

Neighborhood characteristics and proximity to amenities

• Rolla: Higher density, more rental options, and closer proximity to Missouri S&T, regional medical services, retail, and restaurants. Neighborhoods near campus and along major arterials generally have more multifamily units and student rentals.
• St. James/Newburg and unincorporated areas: More owner-occupied single-family homes and larger parcels; access to amenities tends to be oriented to local schools, highway access, and small-town commercial nodes, with more frequent car-dependent travel for specialized services.

Property tax overview (rate and typical cost)

Property tax in Missouri is administered locally and varies by taxing district (school, county, city, fire, etc.). The most transparent public references are:

• County assessor/collector information for tax rates and bills (Phelps County official website)
• Statewide contextual information via the Missouri Department of Revenue and local assessment guidance (Missouri Department of Revenue)

Data note: A single “average property tax rate” can vary materially inside the county (Rolla vs. rural districts). Typical annual homeowner property tax cost is best estimated by combining the home’s assessed value (Missouri residential assessment ratio) with the applicable local levy shown on the tax bill; countywide medians are not consistently published as one definitive figure across all jurisdictions.*