CountyScore

Barton County

Missouri · MO

#66 in Missouri
69.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Barton County, Missouri

Barton Outperforms National Livability Average

Barton County's composite score of 75.0 beats the national median of 50.0 by 50%, placing it solidly above average for U.S. counties overall. This reflects particular strength in tax and cost dimensions.

Slightly Above Missouri's State Average

At 75.0, Barton County edges past Missouri's state average of 74.8 by a narrow margin, qualifying as a stronger-than-typical performer within the state. It ranks in the upper portion of Missouri counties.

Low Taxes and Housing Affordability Shine

Barton combines a tax score of 81.4 (effective rate 0.743%) with a cost score of 85.1, delivering median home values of $136,000 and rent of $777/month. These features create genuine value for budget-minded families.

Lowest Income Score in This Sample

Barton's income score of 15.7 is the lowest among these eight counties, with median household income at $49,503, suggesting limited earning potential and wage growth opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and other quality-of-life measures remain unmeasured.

Ideal for Retirees and Minimum-Wage Workers

Barton County serves those prioritizing survival on minimal income, where low taxes and affordable housing are essential rather than optional. It's most suitable for retirees on fixed Social Security or workers in entry-level positions who need maximum cost relief.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.4Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.7Risk56.4WaterComing Soon
🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.4
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 Barton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ketchikan Gateway Borough
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Median income: $89,155
Lawrence County
Arkansas
69.6
Median income: $44,164
Logan County
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69.6
Median income: $55,074
Jasper County
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69.6
Median income: $59,574
Pickens County
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69.6
Median income: $75,293

Deep Dives

Barton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Barton County

via TaxByCounty

Barton County taxes sit below national average

Barton County's effective rate of 0.743% falls below the national median of 0.863%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. A median home valued at $136,000 generates just $1,010 in annual property taxes—about a third of the national median.

Slightly above Missouri's average rate

At 0.743%, Barton County ranks just above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it near the middle of the state's 114 counties. The median tax of $1,010 falls below Missouri's state median of $1,199.

Middle ground in regional comparison

Barton County's 0.743% rate sits between the high-tax counties (Atchison at 1.171%, Audrain at 0.875%) and the low-tax counties (Barry at 0.571%, Benton at 0.557%). It represents a moderate tax burden within the eight-county region.

Budget approximately $1,010 annually

Barton County homeowners with median-valued properties at $136,000 pay about $1,010 in annual property taxes. For mortgage holders, that amount typically climbs to $1,209 due to escrow adjustments.

Review your assessment for savings

Barton County residents should verify their property assessments match current market values, as even modest overassessments compound into thousands in overpaid taxes over time. Contact your county assessor to request a reassessment or file an appeal if warranted.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Barton County

via CostByCounty

Barton faces Missouri's toughest rent burden

Barton County's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks as the highest among these eight counties and far exceeds Missouri's 15.6% state average. With the lowest median household income at $49,503—34% below the national median—Barton renters face severe affordability stress.

Barton ranks among Missouri's least affordable

Barton County stands near the bottom of Missouri's affordability rankings, with the state's worst combination of low incomes and high rent-to-income ratios. The 18.8% rent burden signals that housing absorbs nearly one-fifth of gross household earnings.

Barton's rent burden dwarfs comparable counties

Barton's $777 rent is only 1% below Adair's ($782) but its household income of $49,503 is 12% lower, creating the region's worst affordability ratio. Residents here face substantially tighter housing costs than neighbors earning similar wages.

Barton renters stretch tight budgets dangerously

Renters pay $777 monthly while homeowners invest $620, with median home values at $136,000 favoring ownership economics. The $49,503 household income means renters dedicate 18.8% of gross earnings to housing—perilously close to the 20% threshold that signals affordability crisis.

Barton demands homeownership or higher income

Unless you can secure homeownership or relocate with income above $60,000, Barton presents genuine affordability challenges for renters. Job seekers relocating here should negotiate salaries carefully: this county's housing costs demand household incomes near or above $55,000 to maintain financial stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Barton County

via IncomeByCounty

Barton County's income crisis

Barton County's median household income of $49,503 trails the national median of $74,755 by a steep $25,252. This represents one of the lowest income levels regionally, signaling severe economic challenges in the local job market.

Missouri's weakest county in study

At $49,503, Barton County's median household income ranks lowest in this analysis, falling $10,000 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. The county faces significant economic headwinds that constrain household earnings and wealth building.

Lowest-earning county in the region

Barton's $49,503 median income substantially underperforms all neighboring counties in this study, with the next-lowest being Audrain at $56,232. This 13% income disadvantage reflects a notably weaker local economy than surrounding areas.

Housing costs strain limited incomes

Barton's 18.8% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this analysis, approaching danger levels for renters' financial stability. Though the median home value of $136,000 remains theoretically affordable, the gap between incomes and costs creates genuine affordability pressure.

Barton households: start small, grow steady

With the region's lowest incomes at $49,503, Barton households must prioritize budgeting and emergency savings before investing. Starting with automatic transfers of just $25-50 monthly to savings accounts builds discipline and cushion; as income grows, these habits unlock wealth-building potential through modest but consistent contributions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Barton County

via HealthByCounty

Barton slightly exceeds U.S. life expectancy

Barton County's 75.4-year life expectancy is nearly a year above the U.S. average of 74.4 years, suggesting above-average longevity. Yet 23.6% of residents report poor or fair health, indicating that longer life comes with substantial health burdens.

Barton edges above state life expectancy

Barton's 75.4-year life expectancy ranks above Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, though its uninsured rate of 14.5% is the state's second-highest. This suggests Barton residents live modestly longer despite significant coverage gaps.

Mid-range health outcomes regionally

Barton's 75.4-year life expectancy exceeds struggling neighbors Audrain and Atchison (both 73.9) but trails healthier peers Andrew (78.5) and Adair (75.9). Its 23.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among the region's highest, indicating underlying wellness issues.

Limited providers, highest uninsured rates

Barton has just 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—one of Missouri's lowest supplies—combined with a 14.5% uninsured rate, among the state's worst. This creates a double crisis: few doctors for residents who lack insurance to pay for them.

Get insured, find care immediately.

Barton's 14.5% uninsured rate ranks among Missouri's highest, and with limited primary care providers, coverage is critical. Visit healthcare.gov today or contact the Barton County Health Department to secure affordable insurance and connect with local medical resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Barton County

via RiskByCounty

Barton's risk slightly below state average

Barton County's composite risk score of 43.61 sits below Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the Relatively Low category. This means your county experiences lower overall natural disaster exposure than the typical Missouri community.

Below-average risk across Missouri

Barton County ranks in the lower-middle tier of natural disaster risk statewide, with exposure levels that fall below roughly half of Missouri's counties. Your county occupies a relatively protected position on the state's risk spectrum.

Safer than Barry, comparable to others

Barton County's 43.61 score substantially underperforms neighboring Barry County (75.06) and sits between Benton County (66.83) and Bates County (30.47). Geographic positioning shields your area from the extreme risks affecting nearby southwestern regions.

Tornadoes represent your primary hazard

Tornado risk leads Barton County at 64.50, making severe wind threats your most pressing concern. Earthquake exposure (51.91) ranks second due to New Madrid seismic zone proximity, while flood (45.93) and hurricane (28.74) risks are moderate—notably, wildfire risk is minimal at 10.18.

Prioritize windstorm and earthquake coverage

Add both windstorm insurance and earthquake coverage to your homeowners policy to address Barton County's primary hazards. Establish a tornado safe room or identify interior shelter areas, and keep important documents in a waterproof, fireproof container.

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.