Boone County scores 71.0, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by a full 21 points and placing it in the national upper quartile. This strong performance also exceeds Arkansas's state average of 70.3, making it a standout regional choice.
2 / 5
Second-best among Arkansas counties
Ranking second among the eight featured Arkansas counties, Boone County trails only one peer in livability. Its 71.0 score reflects a well-balanced profile across multiple dimensions.
3 / 5
Low taxes and balanced affordability
Boone County offers an effective tax rate of 0.534% (tax score 87.3) and solid housing affordability (cost score 84.3) with homes around $169,300. Health outcomes score a respectable 65.5, indicating community wellness comparable to healthier peers.
4 / 5
Income growth lags other metrics
The main constraint is income, with a score of 18.8 and median household income of $54,195—well below several peer counties. Risk factors (37.7) also suggest environmental or safety concerns that deserve attention.
5 / 5
Ideal for balanced, modest-income households
Boone County suits families and retirees who earn modest incomes but value tax efficiency, reasonable housing costs, and good community health. It's a well-rounded choice for those seeking stability and affordability over high-wage potential.
Boone County scores 71.0, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by a full 21 points and placing it in the national upper quartile. This strong performance also exceeds Arkansas's state average of 70.3, making it a standout regional choice.
Second-best among Arkansas counties
Ranking second among the eight featured Arkansas counties, Boone County trails only one peer in livability. Its 71.0 score reflects a well-balanced profile across multiple dimensions.
Low taxes and balanced affordability
Boone County offers an effective tax rate of 0.534% (tax score 87.3) and solid housing affordability (cost score 84.3) with homes around $169,300. Health outcomes score a respectable 65.5, indicating community wellness comparable to healthier peers.
Income growth lags other metrics
The main constraint is income, with a score of 18.8 and median household income of $54,195—well below several peer counties. Risk factors (37.7) also suggest environmental or safety concerns that deserve attention.
Ideal for balanced, modest-income households
Boone County suits families and retirees who earn modest incomes but value tax efficiency, reasonable housing costs, and good community health. It's a well-rounded choice for those seeking stability and affordability over high-wage potential.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛87.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
With an effective rate of 0.534%, Boone County sits just 8% above the national median of 0.495%, offering moderate taxation nationwide. The median tax bill of $904 reflects higher property values ($169,300) than many Arkansas counties, yet still trails the national median of $2,690.
Solidly middle-ground in Arkansas
Boone County ranks 37th among Arkansas's 75 counties by effective rate at 0.534%, nearly identical to the state average of 0.532%. Its median tax payment of $904 runs about 28% above the state median of $705, driven by slightly higher home valuations.
A moderate choice regionally
Boone County's 0.534% rate falls between Baxter County's efficiency (0.463%) and Carroll County's 0.526%, positioning it as a middle option in north-central Arkansas. Its property values ($169,300) are the second-highest in this regional cluster after Benton County.
Your estimated annual tax bill
On a median home valued at $169,300, a Boone County homeowner pays roughly $904 per year. Those with mortgages typically pay $936 through annual escrow.
Appeal opportunities at every level
At Boone County's $904 median bill, a successful appeal reducing your assessment by just 5% saves $45 annually. With Boone's moderate tax rate, contesting your assessment is a straightforward way to protect property wealth.
Boone County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio sits well below the national affordability threshold, delivering genuine housing relief despite median income of $54,195. At just $715 monthly rent, this county offers renters and buyers straightforward, stress-free housing economics.
Better Than State Average on All Metrics
Boone County's 15.8% rent-to-income ratio and $715 median rent both beat Arkansas's state averages of 18.1% and $760 respectively. This consistent outperformance places Boone among Arkansas's most livable counties for budget-conscious households.
Middle Ground: Rents and Values Balanced
Boone County's $715 rent undercuts most neighbors—sitting $84 below Arkansas County ($799) and $103 below Baxter County ($866)—while home values of $169,300 remain accessible to working families. This positioning makes Boone competitive for both renters and first-time buyers.
Balanced Housing Across Tenure
Renters pay $715 while owners face $747 monthly—a remarkably tight spread indicating a stable, non-speculative market. With median income of $54,195, housing claims just 16% of annual earnings, preserving purchasing power for all other household needs.
Boone County: Affordable Living Without Sacrifice
Boone County delivers genuine affordability alongside manageable home values, making it ideal for families or remote workers seeking low housing burdens. This county represents excellent value compared to both state and national benchmarks.
With a median household income of $54,195, Boone County falls $20,560 below the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects an economy with limited access to high-wage sectors compared to national benchmarks.
Slightly above Arkansas average earnings
Boone County's $54,195 median household income exceeds Arkansas's $51,156 state average by roughly $3,000, placing it in the state's middle tier. This modest advantage suggests a somewhat stronger local job market than many Arkansas counties.
Mixed results against regional peers
Boone County ($54,195) earns more than Baxter County ($48,427) but trails Carroll County ($55,187) and Arkansas County ($60,831) slightly. The tight clustering suggests northern Arkansas counties operate within similar economic ranges.
Housing costs remain well-balanced
At 15.8% of household income, Boone County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably within affordability guidelines, leaving room for savings. A median home value of $169,300 paired with moderate income creates reasonable homeownership opportunities.
Stable income supports consistent saving
Boone County residents with stable incomes slightly above state average can establish automatic transfers of $100-200 monthly into dedicated savings or investment accounts. Over 10 years, even modest contributions grow substantially through compound interest.
Boone County residents live an average of 74.2 years, slightly below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, though the gap is narrower than most Arkansas counties. Only 21.3% report poor or fair health, significantly better than the national average of 17.3%, suggesting strong population wellness. Boone ranks among Arkansas's healthier communities.
Above-average outcomes statewide
Boone County's 74.2-year life expectancy exceeds Arkansas's state average of 72.3 years by 1.9 years. The county's 9.4% uninsured rate is also better than the state average of 9.9%, meaning more residents have health coverage and can access preventive care consistently.
Competitive with healthier peers
Boone County's 74.2-year life expectancy matches Baxter County but trails Benton County (78.2) and Carroll County (75.3). With 61 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 151 mental health providers per 100,000, Boone offers solid healthcare infrastructure comparable to regional peers.
Strong coverage and provider balance
Boone County's 9.4% uninsured rate is below state average, meaning most residents have access to consistent medical care. With 61 primary care providers and 151 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county maintains balanced, accessible healthcare that supports preventive medicine and mental wellness.
Protect your health with coverage
While Boone County leads many peers in coverage, ensure your family stays insured by reviewing options annually at healthcare.gov. With solid providers on hand, staying covered lets you use preventive care to stay healthy.
Boone County's composite score of 62.34 sits above national averages, reflecting moderate exposure to natural disasters. The county's rating of "relatively low" indicates manageable but non-negligible hazard vulnerability.
Slightly above Arkansas average
Boone County's 62.34 exceeds the state average of 55.51, positioning it in the higher-risk tier within Arkansas. Tornado and wildfire exposure drive this elevation above the statewide baseline.
Riskier than Baxter but less than Benton
Boone County's 62.34 sits between Baxter County's 72.30 and Carroll County's 64.57, placing it in the moderate range for the region. Its Ozark location exposes it to similar tornado and wildfire risks as neighboring counties.
Tornado and wildfire dominate hazards
Tornado risk of 78.59 represents Boone County's most significant threat, with severe spring and fall storm systems regularly crossing the county. Wildfire risk of 65.59 ranks second, with forest coverage and seasonal drought conditions creating ignition potential.
Plan for storms and fires now
Develop a tornado safety plan with a designated shelter location, as the 78.59 tornado risk is substantial and recurring. Clear vegetation near structures, ensure adequate homeowners coverage for wind and fire damage, and maintain emergency supplies.