The Town Files

25 Small Towns in Missouri With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 141 towns of 500–10,000 people in Missouri. #1 is Owensville, MO (3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25Versailles, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Versailles is a city of 2,539 people in Morgan County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on March 15, 1982.

    2,539 people · Morgan County · median home $117,500 · income $33,586 · Jan low 22°F · 10 in snow

    Full Versailles, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Versailles by decade3'501'60'703'801'901'001'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Licking, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Licking is a city of 2,851 people in Texas County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F3 on April 11, 1979.

    2,851 people · Texas County · median home $116,900 · income $35,652 · Jan low 21°F · 11 in snow

    Full Licking, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Licking by decade1'504'601'701'80'902'005'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Bethany, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Bethany is a city of 2,915 people in Harrison County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F4 on May 29, 2004.

    2,915 people · Harrison County · median home $121,700 · income $48,375 · Jan low 16°F · 21 in snow

    Full Bethany, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Bethany by decade1'505'601'70'80'904'003'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Portageville, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Portageville is a city of 2,942 people in New Madrid County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on November 24, 1973.

    2,942 people · New Madrid County · median home $152,400 · income $52,279 · Jan low 28°F · 7 in snow

    Full Portageville, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Portageville by decade1'50'602'70'802'903'003'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Cuba, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Cuba is a city of 3,181 people in Crawford County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on April 16, 1982.

    3,181 people · Crawford County · median home $136,600 · income $45,916 · Jan low 22°F · 12 in snow

    Full Cuba, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Cuba by decade'50'601'701'805'903'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Carrollton, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Carrollton is a city of 3,514 people in Carroll County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F4 on May 4, 1977.

    3,514 people · Carroll County · median home $110,200 · income $49,777 · Jan low 17°F · 13 in snow

    Full Carrollton, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Carrollton by decade1'503'604'70'801'904'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Camdenton, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Camdenton is a city of 3,960 people in Camden County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F3 on May 4, 2003.

    3,960 people · Camden County · median home $175,500 · income $54,375 · Jan low 25°F · 6 in snow

    Full Camdenton, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Camdenton by decade'504'602'702'801'903'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18California, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    California is a city of 4,498 people in Moniteau County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on May 12, 1980.

    4,498 people · Moniteau County · median home $152,700 · income $63,864 · Jan low 20°F · 10 in snow

    Full California, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of California by decade1'505'603'702'801'901'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17St. Robert, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    St. Robert is a city of 5,192 people in Pulaski County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an EF3 on December 31, 2010.

    5,192 people · Pulaski County · median home $225,300 · income $62,641 · Jan low 22°F · 10 in snow

    Full St. Robert, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of St. Robert by decade'502'601'702'803'903'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Trenton, Missouri

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Trenton is a city of 5,609 people in Grundy County, Missouri. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on April 10, 1965.

    5,609 people · Grundy County · median home $99,500 · income $50,015 · Jan low 16°F · 17 in snow

    Full Trenton, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Trenton by decade1'503'601'70'80'902'003'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Bowling Green, Missouri

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Bowling Green is a city of 4,195 people in Pike County, Missouri. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on June 12, 1970.

    4,195 people · Pike County · median home $128,800 · income $53,295 · Jan low 19°F · 16 in snow

    Full Bowling Green, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Bowling Green by decade'501'601'70'803'904'004'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Butler, Missouri

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Butler is a city of 4,220 people in Bates County, Missouri. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on March 12, 2006.

    4,220 people · Bates County · median home $145,400 · income $42,151 · Jan low 20°F · 10 in snow

    Full Butler, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Butler by decade2'503'601'70'801'902'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Macon, Missouri

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Macon is a city of 5,457 people in Macon County, Missouri. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F4 on April 23, 1975.

    5,457 people · Macon County · median home $151,800 · income $61,642 · Jan low 19°F · 16 in snow

    Full Macon, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Macon by decade1'501'603'703'802'903'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Louisiana, Missouri

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Louisiana is a city of 3,199 people in Pike County, Missouri. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on April 8, 1999.

    3,199 people · Pike County · median home $72,100 · income $38,673 · Jan low 19°F · 10 in snow

    Full Louisiana, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Louisiana by decade1'501'60'70'803'904'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11Palmyra, Missouri

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Palmyra is a city of 3,613 people in Marion County, Missouri. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F3 on May 10, 2003.

    3,613 people · Marion County · median home $184,200 · income $69,922 · Jan low 19°F · 13 in snow

    Full Palmyra, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Palmyra by decade'50'602'70'801'906'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Buffalo, Missouri

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Buffalo is a city of 3,290 people in Dallas County, Missouri. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an EF2 on February 28, 2012.

    3,290 people · Dallas County · median home $141,800 · income $39,896 · Jan low 20°F · 9 in snow

    Full Buffalo, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Buffalo by decade'501'601'70'80'902'004'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Fayette, Missouri

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Fayette is a city of 2,803 people in Howard County, Missouri. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F3 on March 12, 2006.

    2,803 people · Howard County · median home $146,700 · income $57,679 · Jan low 18°F · 12 in snow

    Full Fayette, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fayette by decade4'50'60'702'80'902'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8Chillicothe, Missouri

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chillicothe is a city of 9,107 people in Livingston County, Missouri. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an EF1 on October 24, 2021.

    9,107 people · Livingston County · median home $127,000 · income $54,493 · Jan low 16°F · 14 in snow

    Full Chillicothe, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chillicothe by decade2'501'602'70'802'90'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Centralia, Missouri

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Centralia is a city of 4,541 people in Boone County, Missouri. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on April 8, 1999.

    4,541 people · Boone County · median home $174,300 · income $66,438 · Jan low 19°F · 16 in snow

    Full Centralia, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Centralia by decade3'501'601'70'802'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6St. Clair, Missouri

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    St. Clair is a city of 4,791 people in Franklin County, Missouri. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F4 on February 24, 1956.

    4,791 people · Franklin County · median home $157,700 · income $41,820 · Jan low 23°F · 14 in snow

    Full St. Clair, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of St. Clair by decade2'501'60'70'80'901'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Sullivan, Missouri

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Sullivan is a city of 6,906 people in Franklin County, Missouri. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an EF2 on May 11, 2016.

    6,906 people · Franklin County · median home $163,200 · income $63,370 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

    Full Sullivan, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sullivan by decade'50'60'70'80'903'001'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
    Photo: Andrea Booher (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Ste. Genevieve is a city of 4,999 people in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an EF2 on October 24, 2021.

    4,999 people · Ste. Genevieve County · median home $172,400 · income $48,097 · Jan low 24°F · 4 in snow

    Full Ste. Genevieve, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ste. Genevieve by decade1'50'60'70'802'901'00'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Clinton, Missouri

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Clinton is a city of 9,174 people in Henry County, Missouri. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on December 4, 1956.

    9,174 people · Henry County · median home $155,400 · income $51,250 · Jan low 19°F · 11 in snow

    Full Clinton, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Clinton by decade1'50'601'70'80'901'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Vandalia, Missouri

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Vandalia is a city of 3,553 people in Audrain County, Missouri. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an EF1 on December 27, 2008.

    3,553 people · Audrain County · median home $84,500 · income $50,313 · Jan low 19°F · 16 in snow

    Full Vandalia, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Vandalia by decade'501'60'70'801'903'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Owensville, Missouri

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Owensville is a city of 2,757 people in Gasconade County, Missouri. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Missouri town: 23); the strongest was an F2 on April 29, 1984.

    2,757 people · Gasconade County · median home $139,800 · income $49,149 · Jan low 18°F · 12 in snow

    Full Owensville, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Owensville by decade'50'60'701'80'901'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Missouri rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 141 towns of 500–10,000 people in Missouri (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: