countyscore
44.6
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 74.5Soil Quality 63.2

County Report Card

About Barton County, Missouri

Below the National Benchmark

Barton County earns a 44.6 composite score, placing it in the bottom half of counties nationwide. Its low income and safety scores weigh down its overall ranking against the 50.0 national median.

Searching for State Parity

At 44.6, Barton County trails the Missouri average of 50.3. Despite this, it remains a contender for those looking for specific rural resource strengths like water access.

Excellent Water and Affordability

The county achieves a stellar water score of 86.0 and a strong cost score of 74.5. Median household rents of $777 and home values of $136,000 make it very accessible for first-time buyers.

Safety and Income Struggles

The safety score of 10.7 and income score of 13.4 are significantly lower than average. With a median household income of $49,503, the county faces persistent economic headwinds.

A Value Play for Rural Life

Barton County is best for those who value natural resources and exceptionally cheap real estate. It suits individuals who have remote income or are retired and want to minimize their cost of living.

Score breakdown

Tax58.4Cost74.5Safety10.7Health29.6Schools47.5Income13.4Risk56.4Water86Weather58
🏛58.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡10.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤29.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓47.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡56.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤58
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨63.2
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱53.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Jasper County
Missouri
32
Vernon County
Missouri
42
Crawford County
Kansas
35.5
Dade County
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Cedar County
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Bourbon County
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Cherokee County
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Newton County
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Deep Dives

Barton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Barton County

via CrimeByCounty

Barton County Crime Above Average

Barton County carries a safety score of 95.7, reflecting a total crime rate of 2,713.4 per 100K. This rate is higher than the national average of 2,385.5.

Trailing Missouri Safety Benchmarks

The safety score of 95.7 falls below the Missouri state average of 97.0. Crime volume in Barton also exceeds the state average of 1,926.2 per 100K residents.

Higher Activity Than Barry County

Barton faces more crime than nearby Barry County, which maintains a lower rate of 2,152.7. Local officials monitor these trends to improve safety outcomes for the community.

Property Crime Frequent in Barton

Property crime is the most frequent issue, occurring at a rate of 2,456.6 per 100K compared to the 2,015.7 national average. Violent crime stays below the national average at 256.8.

Basic Security Steps Matter

Protecting your home in Barton starts with ensuring all entry points are locked and secure. Implementing a video doorbell system is an effective way to monitor property activity.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Barton County

via SchoolsByCounty

Barton County's Small-Scale School System

Barton County manages 1,658 students within 10 public schools across three school districts. The education landscape is composed of four elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools. This balanced structure ensures that students have dedicated facilities at every stage of their K-12 journey.

Strong Scores and State-Leading Investment

Barton County earns a school score of 53.9, outperforming the state average of 52.8 and the national median. The county’s $6,842 per-pupil expenditure is higher than the Missouri average of $6,334. These investments translate to a 91.4% graduation rate, which is higher than both state and national benchmarks.

Lamar R-I Dominates the County

The Lamar R-I district is the primary educator in the county, overseeing six schools and 1,227 students. Smaller districts like Liberal R-II and Golden City R-III serve fewer than 310 students each. The county maintains a traditional public school model with no charter schools currently available.

Quiet Schools with Personal Attention

Six of the county's schools are located in rural areas, while four are situated in town settings. Schools are relatively small, averaging 184 students per building, which fosters a close community feel. Lamar High is the largest at 393 students, while Liberal Elementary serves just 119.

Secure a Future in Lamar Schools

The high graduation rates and strong school scores make Barton County, particularly the Lamar R-I district, a top choice for families. Small class sizes and local town centers create an ideal environment for raising children. Explore local listings to find a home near these high-performing rural schools.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Barton County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm and Wet Gateway

Barton County is significantly warmer than the national median, averaging 56.3°F annually. It is also a very wet county, receiving 47.3 inches of precipitation every year.

Well Above the State Average

Barton stays 1.4 degrees warmer than the Missouri average of 54.9°F. This reflects its southern location, which avoids the harshest cold from the northern plains.

Leading the Region in Heat

While it shares a similar average temperature with Barry County, Barton faces 40 extreme heat days annually. This is significantly more than its neighbors to the east.

Forty Days of Extreme Heat

Summers are intense, with 40 days per year reaching 90°F or higher and a July average of 78.1°F. Winters are light on snow, averaging only 7.3 inches annually.

Strategies for High Heat

Residents must prepare for a long summer season with robust cooling and hydration strategies. The high annual rainfall also makes gutter maintenance and roof care essential.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Barton County

via SoilByCounty

Barton's Typical Missouri pH

Barton County soil features a pH of 5.91, which is more acidic than the national median of 6.5 but typical for Missouri. The overall soil score of 63.2 is very close to the state average, indicating standard agricultural potential.

Sandy-Silt Mix for Drainage

The physical mix includes 27.3% sand, 52.4% silt, and 19.0% clay. This relatively high sand content compared to northern neighbors improves drainage and makes the soil easier to work in the early spring months.

Healthy Water Storage

Organic matter sits at 3.31%, which is healthy by national standards but below the Missouri average of 4.74%. The Available Water Capacity is 0.189 in/in, slightly outperforming the state average of 0.183.

Moderate Infiltration Rates

There is limited specific data on drainage classes for this county, but the sandy-silt composition suggests moderate infiltration. This prevents the soil from becoming overly heavy or waterlogged during the spring rainy season.

Long Seasons in Zone 7a

Barton County belongs to Zone 7a, offering a longer growing season than northern Missouri. The balanced water capacity and warmer climate create a great environment for growing everything from berries to squash.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Barton County

via LawnByCounty

Managing High Heat in Barton County

Barton County scores a 53.7 on the lawn difficulty scale, reflecting the challenges of gardening in zone 7a. This is nearly 10 points lower than the state average, largely due to intense summer heat and fluctuating moisture.

Forty Days of Intense Heat

The county endures 40 extreme heat days per year, which is significantly higher than the state average of 37. While the 47.3 inches of rain provides a lot of water, the 4143 growing degree days mean your mower will be working overtime during the peak season.

Sandy Foundations and Low pH

With a 27.3% sand content, Barton's soil may dry out faster than the heavy clay soils found elsewhere in Missouri. The pH of 5.91 is slightly acidic, suggesting that a light application of lime could help optimize nutrient availability for your turf.

Bracing for Dry Spells

Having spent 29 weeks in drought over the last year, this county is prone to significant water stress. Homeowners should prioritize mulch-mowing to keep clippings on the lawn, which helps retain moisture and protect the soil from the 40 days of 90°F+ heat.

Choose Heat-Tolerant Varieties

With a long growing season and an early last frost of April 9th, heat-tolerant Zoysia is an excellent choice for this climate. Ensure you establish your lawn early to survive the July average of 78.1°F, which can be brutal on younger grass.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barton County's county score?
Barton County, Missouri has a composite county score of 44.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Barton County rank among counties in Missouri?
Barton County ranks #82 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Barton County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Barton County is $1,010, with an effective tax rate of 0.74%. This earns Barton County a tax score of 58.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Barton County?
The median household income in Barton County, Missouri is $49,503 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Barton County earns an income score of 13.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Barton County, Missouri a good place to live?
Barton County scores 44.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #82 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Barton County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Barton County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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