La Plata ( lah PLAY-tə) is a city in Macon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,257 at the 2020 census, down from 1,366 in 2010. La Plata is located next to the Adair County line and is on a mainline of the BNSF Railway. The town is best known for La Plata station, which provides passenger rail service to Chicago and Los Angeles.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code63549

Area code660

Living in La Plata

Housing in La Plata

$127K▲ 2.5% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical La Plata home is worth about $127,000, up 2.5% in a year, 53% below the Missouri typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in La Plata

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). La Plata's police department reported only 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

La Plata 0.8

Missouri 4.7

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

La Plata 1.6

Missouri 20.1

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in La Plata

Full picture →

Most working residents leave La Plata for work: only 13% work in town. The top destinations are Kirksville (24%), Macon (11%) and Moberly (4%). Half commute less than 19 miles.

Kirksville

24%

Macon

11%

Moberly

Atlanta

13%Work in townlive and work in La Plata 19 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 318Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in La Plata →

Health in La Plata

Health Grade C

Healthier than 30% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 67% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Missouri

1better than MO·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 26 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

81%More adults treating high blood pressureMO 77.2% · better 10.9%More adults who have had cancerMO 8.6% · worse

Care nearby

Northeast Regional Medical CenterKirksville · 12.8 mi · ER

Ob/Gyn Specialty GroupKirksville · 12.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for La Plata · CMS · HRSAHealth in La Plata →

Natural hazards in La Plata

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 46% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes🌡️ Heat waves

0Does La Plata flood?no paid flood claims on record 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to La Plata

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in La Plata →

Climate in La Plata

Full climate →

La Plata has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 86°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 19 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

38° / 20°Winter

63° / 41°Spring

84° / 63°Summer

65° / 43°Fall

How much snow does La Plata get?About 19 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 18, with the last in spring around Apr 19.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in La Plata

All La Plata schools →

School Grade B

The public schools La Plata’s kids attend outperform 56% of Missouri’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictLA PLATA R-IISchools2

La Plata Elem. B+Elementary · Grades K–6 · 145 students La Plata High C-High · Grades 7–12 · 150 students

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