About one in 3 of Independence’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Kennett (36%), Senath (3%) and Paragould (3%). Half commute less than 16 miles.

Kennett

36%

Senath

Paragould, AR

Caruthersville

37%Work in townlive and work in Independence 16 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 3,998Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Independence →

Health in Independence

D⁻

Health Grade D−

Healthier than 3% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Missouri

1better than MO·21worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 10 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits 1▲ 2▼ 1 close Care 4▼ 3 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

13.5%Fewer binge drinkersMO 16.3% · better 21.9%More adults facing food insecurityMO 13.7% · worse

Care nearby

Piggott Community HospitalPiggott · 14.1 mi · ER · rural critical access

Otto Bean Dental ClinicKennett · 0.8 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 63857, 63852, 63876 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Independence →

Natural hazards in Independence

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 84% of U.S. communities.

🏚️ Earthquakes🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes

11Does Independence flood?paid flood claims since 1979 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 18 declared for Dunklin County MapIndependence vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Independence →

Climate in Independence

Full climate →

Independence has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 29°, and about 3 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

48° / 31°Winter

71° / 49°Spring

89° / 69°Summer

72° / 50°Fall

How much snow does Independence get?About 3 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 1, with the last in spring around Mar 31.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Independence →

Schools in Independence

All Independence schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Independence’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 80% of Missouri’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

See how Independence’s schools compare in MO →

DistrictKENNETT 39Schools8

South Elem. C+Elementary · Grades 3–5 · 420 students H. Byron Masterson Elem.Elementary · Grades K–2 · 417 students Kennett Middle C-Middle · Grades 6–8 · 392 students Kennett High B-High · Grades 9–12 · 493 students Kennett Career Tech. CTR.High · Grades 9–12 Early Childhood CTR.Prekindergarten · Grades PK · 85 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MO. Ratings are from neighbors.