Signals
Boone
Starkville
Growth
53 · Top 44%
vs40 · Bottom 33%
Climate
64 · Bottom 44%
vs76 · Top 15%
Physical resilience
59 · Top 45%
vs64 · Top 39%
Housing affordability
48 · Bottom 2%
vs76 · Bottom 18%
Access
78 · Top 47%
vs79 · Top 46%
Economic stability
16 · Bottom 6%
vs19 · Bottom 8%
Measured values
| Metric | Boone | Starkville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,123 | 61,743 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $51,693 | $48,750 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,167 | $30,385 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 176/sq mi | 70/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $358,900 | $208,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,127 | $897 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 62.1% | 52.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48.1% | 41.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 25.5% | 23.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 354 | 67 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.4 | 1.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -30.7% | 11.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 22°F | 32°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 59.1" | 58.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 42 mi | 28 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.0 min | 23.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 31.4 | 27.4 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Boone
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Starkville
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, tornado.
Your best match
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Boone
53
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Area Score
Starkville
59
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Boone, NC Micro Area · Starkville, MS Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology