CountyScore

Adair County

Missouri · MO

#31 in Missouri
72.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Adair County, Missouri

Adair Scores Well Above National Average

With a composite score of 74.6, Adair County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This 49% advantage over the national baseline reflects strong affordability and favorable tax conditions that benefit residents.

Right at Missouri's Sweet Spot

Adair County's 74.6 score essentially matches Missouri's state average of 74.8, positioning it squarely within the middle-to-upper range of Missouri counties. It ranks competitively statewide without standing out as exceptional or lagging.

Tax Breaks and Housing Affordability Lead

Adair's tax score of 80.9 reflects a low effective tax rate of just 0.759%, while its cost score of 83.4 means median home values sit at an accessible $159,500 and rent averages $782/month. These two pillars make the county particularly attractive to budget-conscious families and retirees.

Income Growth Remains a Gap

The county's income score of 20.3 is substantially lower than its tax and cost advantages, with median household income at $56,583—below what many residents might seek for long-term financial security. Several dimensions including safety, health, schools, and water quality have not yet been assessed, leaving a fuller picture pending.

Best for Budget-First, Family-Second Seekers

Adair County suits individuals and couples prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher wages and comprehensive amenities. Those willing to accept modest incomes in exchange for financial breathing room will find genuine value here.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax80.9Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth65.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.3Risk71.3WaterComing Soon
🏛80.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Adair County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Geneva County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $50,951
Winston County
Alabama
72.1
Median income: $48,032
Stone County
Arkansas
72.1
Median income: $38,531
Montezuma County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $63,005
Rio Grande County
Colorado
72.1
Median income: $62,166

Deep Dives

Adair County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Adair County

via TaxByCounty

Adair County pays well below national average

At 0.759%, Adair County's effective property tax rate sits firmly below the national median of 0.863%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay just $1,210 annually on a median home valued at $159,500—roughly half the national median property tax of $2,690.

Slightly above Missouri's typical tax burden

Adair County ranks in the middle of Missouri's 114 counties with an effective rate of 0.759%, edging just above the state average of 0.733%. The county's median tax of $1,210 sits just above Missouri's state median of $1,199.

Higher taxes than most northern neighbors

Adair County's 0.759% rate exceeds Andrew County's 0.762%—wait, Andrew actually edges it out slightly. Compared to Barry County's 0.571% in the southwest and Benton County's 0.557%, Adair sits in the middle-to-upper range of the region.

Expect about $1,210 annually

A home valued at the county median of $159,500 generates roughly $1,210 in annual property taxes in Adair County. For mortgage-owning homeowners, that figure climbs slightly to $1,245 when accounting for escrow adjustments.

Your assessment might be too high

Across Missouri, many homeowners discover their properties are overassessed during routine tax appeals. If your home's assessed value doesn't align with recent sales of comparable properties, filing an appeal through your county assessor's office could reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Adair County

via CostByCounty

Adair's rent burden slightly outpaces the nation

Adair County renters spend 16.6% of their income on rent, slightly above the national norm and edging past Missouri's 15.6% state average. With a median household income of $56,583—well below the national median of $74,755—housing costs consume a meaningful share of local earnings.

Middle-of-the-road affordability within Missouri

Adair ranks near the state median for housing affordability, with rental costs and owner expenses that reflect typical rural Missouri conditions. The county's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio sits just above state average, positioning it neither among the most nor least affordable Missouri counties.

Rents higher than nearby counties

Adair's median rent of $782 exceeds neighbor Audrain County ($698) and state average ($768), though owner costs remain modest at $725 monthly. Similar income levels across this region mean renters in Adair face proportionally steeper housing bills than those just across county lines.

Where Adair's housing dollar goes

Renters allocate $782 monthly while homeowners pay $725, with median home values at $159,500 reflecting this region's modest real estate market. The typical household's $56,583 annual income means housing consumes roughly 16–17% of gross earnings—leaving sufficient room for other necessities but with limited margin for savings.

Consider Adair if renting appeals more

For remote workers or those relocating from higher-cost states, Adair offers manageable rents and stable home values—though incomes here run lower than national averages. Compare your local rent-to-income ratio: if you're paying more than 16% of income on housing now, Adair may offer breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Adair County

via IncomeByCounty

Adair lags behind national income levels

Adair County's median household income of $56,583 falls $18,172 below the national median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower tier nationally, suggesting residents earn meaningfully less than the typical American household.

Below average for Missouri

At $56,583, Adair's median household income sits $2,920 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. The county ranks in the bottom half of Missouri's counties, indicating a local economy that underperforms compared to its peers statewide.

Lower income than adjacent counties

Adair's $56,583 median income trails neighboring Andrew County's $74,007 by $17,424, though it modestly exceeds Audrain County's $56,232. The wide income gap with Andrew suggests varying economic strength across the region.

Rent absorbs modest share of income

At 16.6%, Adair's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters retain healthy spending power. The median home value of $159,500 remains accessible relative to household earnings, though income growth would strengthen long-term stability.

Build financial resilience in Adair

Adair households earning $56,583 should prioritize emergency savings and retirement contributions to bridge the income gap with wealthier regions. Starting with automatic transfers to savings accounts and exploring employer 401(k) matches can compound wealth over time, turning modest incomes into long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Adair County

via HealthByCounty

Adair lives longer than the U.S. average

At 75.9 years, Adair County residents live 1.5 years longer than the U.S. life expectancy of 74.4 years—a meaningful edge in longevity. Yet one in five residents report poor or fair health, slightly above national trends, suggesting good years don't tell the whole story.

Adair outpaces Missouri on life expectancy

Adair ranks above Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, placing it in the upper half of Missouri counties for longevity. The county's uninsured rate of 10.8% also beats the state average of 12.5%, meaning more residents have coverage.

Strong health advantage over peers

Adair's 75.9-year life expectancy exceeds most neighboring counties—only Andrew County edges it out at 78.5 years. Its 21.1% poor/fair health rate sits between healthier and struggling neighbors, reflecting a relatively stable health profile.

Good provider access, solid insurance coverage

Adair offers 175 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above many rural Missouri counties. With 10.8% uninsured, most residents have a path to regular care, though mental health providers (322 per 100K) are notably abundant compared to primary care.

Already insured? Verify your coverage.

Nearly 9 in 10 Adair residents have health insurance, which is solid. If you're among the 10.8% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or contact a local health clinic to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Adair County

via RiskByCounty

Adair ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 28.72, Adair County sits in the Very Low category—well below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This means Adair residents face significantly lower exposure to major natural disasters than most Americans.

Among Missouri's safest counties

Adair County ranks in the lower tier of disaster risk statewide, placing it among Missouri's safest communities. Only a handful of counties in the state carry lower composite risk scores.

Lower risk than nearby counties

Compared to neighbors like Audrain County (51.40), Adair's score of 28.72 reflects notably lower overall exposure. Adjacent counties show more variation in flood and earthquake risk, making Adair a relative safe zone regionally.

Tornado risk tops your hazard list

Tornadoes pose the highest relative threat to Adair County, with a risk score of 75.16—substantially higher than other hazards in your area. Wildfire (42.88) and earthquake (39.25) risks remain moderate, but tornado preparedness should be your priority.

Secure comprehensive storm coverage

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes tornado damage, making a separate windstorm policy essential for Adair residents. Review your coverage annually and ensure you have a family emergency plan that includes designated shelter areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.