countyscore
39.7
County Score
Water Quality 86Health 74.1Soil Quality 71.7

County Report Card

About Boone County, Missouri

Falling Below the National Median

Boone County posts a composite score of 39.5, trailing the national median of 50.0 by over ten points. While it serves as a regional hub, its overall livability index is squeezed by safety and cost factors.

Trailing the Missouri Average

The county's 39.5 score sits well below the Missouri average of 50.3. High local demand for housing and services creates a different economic profile than its more affordable rural neighbors.

Strong Health and High Incomes

Boone County shines in health and wealth, boasting a Health Score of 74.1 and a median household income of $69,913. Its Water Score of 86.0 also indicates high infrastructure quality for its growing population.

Safety and Cost Pressures

Safety is a significant concern with a score of 10.0, while the high median home value of $254,100 drives the Cost Score down to 21.9. A Risk Score of 14.3 also suggests vulnerability to environmental or economic volatility.

Ideal for Career-Driven Professionals

This county suits high-earning professionals and academics who value top-tier medical facilities and high salaries. Residents here trade off lower safety scores and higher housing costs for the benefits of a robust local economy.

2040608010046.522.41074.14568.514.38658.7Tax46.5Cost22.4Safety10Health74.1Schools45Income68.5Risk14.3Water86Weather58.739.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Boone County DNA

Foverall

How Boone County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Boone County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (10/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
46.5
Cost
22.4-25.6
Safety
10-45
Health
74.1+24.099999999999994
Schools
45-9
Income
68.5+17.5
Risk
14.3-32.7
Water
86+28
Weather
58.7
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Whether buying or refinancing in Boone County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$272,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,088/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$272,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$43,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $72,758/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.6

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Callaway County
Missouri
39.9
Moniteau County
Missouri
60.8
Howard County
Missouri
53.6
Cooper County
Missouri
57.1
Cole County
Missouri
54.5
Audrain County
Missouri
52.3
Randolph County
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50.6
Osage County
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68.2

Deep Dives

Boone County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Boone County

via TaxByCounty

Boone County taxes above U.S. average

At 0.878%, Boone County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationwide. Homeowners here pay $2,232 annually—83% more than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Among Missouri's highest-taxed counties

Boone ranks notably above Missouri's 0.733% state average with a rate of 0.878%—19% higher than the statewide norm. Its median property tax of $2,232 is 86% above Missouri's median of $1,199, reflecting one of the state's steeper tax burdens.

Central Missouri's tax burden comparison

Boone County (0.878%) significantly outpaces Callaway County (0.789%) and Caldwell County (0.785%) in the region. Home to Columbia and the University of Missouri, Boone's higher tax base reflects greater institutional and commercial property values.

What Boone County homeowners pay

With a median home valued at $254,100 and a 0.878% effective rate, the typical Boone homeowner pays $2,232 annually—or about $186 monthly. The tax burden is virtually identical whether the home carries a mortgage ($2,235) or is owned outright ($2,224).

Boone residents: Appeal assessments today

In higher-tax counties like Boone, overassessments cost more dollars annually. Many homeowners can file an appeal with Boone County's assessor and recover significant refunds if recent sales comparables support a lower valuation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Boone County

via IncomeByCounty

Boone exceeds state but trails nation

Boone County's median household income of $69,913 surpasses Missouri's state average of $59,503 but falls about $4,850 short of the national median of $74,755. The county ranks solidly in the middle range nationally, reflecting a moderately prosperous community.

Top earners in Missouri

Boone County ranks among Missouri's highest-income counties with a median household income of $69,913—about $10,400 above the state average. The county's per capita income of $38,945 also leads the state average by nearly $8,000, signaling strong earning power.

Outearns most regional peers

Boone's $69,913 median income tops neighboring Callaway County ($72,645) is slightly higher, but Boone clearly outpaces Buchanan County ($59,423) and Butler County ($49,213). The county's economic strength reflects its status as home to the University of Missouri and associated professional jobs.

Higher rents reflect desirability

Boone's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% is slightly elevated compared to the 30% affordability threshold, reflecting higher living costs in an educated, university-town market. The median home value of $254,100 requires substantial income but remains achievable for many two-earner households.

Leverage education for wealth growth

Boone's higher incomes create meaningful opportunities to invest beyond basic expenses and housing costs. Residents should prioritize maxing out employer 401(k) matches, diversifying investments, and exploring tax-advantaged savings vehicles to compound wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Boone County

via CrimeByCounty

Boone County Faces Higher Total Crime Rates

Boone County reports a total crime rate of 2772.7 per 100,000, which exceeds the national average of 2,385.5. This activity results in a safety score of 95.6, indicating more frequent incidents than the national baseline.

Below the Missouri Safety Average

With a safety score of 95.6, Boone County falls below the state average score of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 2772.7 also tracks higher than the typical Missouri county average of 1926.2.

Safer than Neighbors to the East

Boone County is notably safer than neighboring Callaway County, where the crime rate reaches 3576.2. While Boone deals with urban crime challenges in Columbia, it maintains a better overall safety profile than some of its immediate neighbors.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime is the primary concern here, with a rate of 2361.9 that sits above the national 2,015.7 average. Violent crime, however, is closer to national norms at 410.8 per 100,000 residents.

Focusing on Theft Prevention

Since property crime drives most local incidents, residents should prioritize porch security and vehicle safety. Smart cameras and alarm systems are effective deterrents in higher-density neighborhoods.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Boone County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the National Median

Boone County averages 56.1°F annually, making it warmer than the typical U.S. county. This central Missouri hub experiences a humid continental climate with distinct seasonal shifts.

Central Missouri Heat

The county's average temperature of 56.1°F sits 1.2 degrees above the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. It receives 42.2 inches of rain annually, which is slightly less than the state's 43.8-inch norm.

A Typical Central Missouri Climate

Boone is warmer on average than northern neighbors like Buchanan County. Its 42.2 inches of annual precipitation aligns closely with other counties in the central corridor.

Steamy Summers and Snowy Winters

Residents face 38 days of extreme heat above 90°F during summers that average 76.9°F. Winters bring a manageable 16.9 inches of snow and a 34.0°F average temperature.

Prepare for Five Weeks of Heat

High-efficiency cooling systems are essential to handle over a month of 90-degree days. Standard snow removal gear is sufficient for the modest 16.9-inch seasonal snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Boone County

via SoilByCounty

Near-Neutral Soil in Boone County

Boone County features an average pH of 6.61, which sits slightly above the national median of 6.5. While specific taxonomic data is limited, this pH level is nearly ideal for a wide variety of Missouri plants.

High Silt for Better Texture

The soil composition is dominated by 63.4% silt and 20.2% clay. This high silt content makes the earth feel smooth and enhances its ability to hold onto essential plant nutrients.

Water Retention Beats State Averages

The county's available water capacity of 0.196 inches per inch exceeds the state average of 0.183. Although the 2.59% organic matter is lower than the Missouri average, the soil remains highly productive with a score of 71.7.

Managing Saturated Soil Conditions

The dominant drainage is classified as subaqueous, implying that these soils often remain saturated or are located in low-lying areas. Proper site selection and raised beds can help mitigate drainage challenges for home gardeners.

Thriving in the Heart of Missouri

Hardiness zone 6b provides a long enough growing season for tomatoes, peppers, and various ornamental shrubs. The high water capacity ensures your garden stays hydrated even during dry summer spells.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Boone County

via LawnByCounty

Boone County's Favorable Lawn Score

Boone County scores a 66.5 for lawn difficulty, outperforming both the state average of 63.7 and the national median of 50.0. This 6b hardiness zone provides a balanced environment that is relatively easy for local homeowners to manage.

Ideal Rainfall for Healthy Turf

The county receives 42.2 inches of rain annually, which falls perfectly within the ideal 30-50 inch range for lawn health. While 38 extreme heat days challenge grass, the 4,248 growing degree days support a robust and active growing season.

Near-Perfect Soil pH Levels

A soil pH of 6.61 is nearly ideal for Missouri lawns, requiring very little chemical amendment to keep grass healthy. Although specific texture data is limited, the subaqueous drainage class suggests a need for careful monitoring of moisture levels.

Staying Green Through Dry Spells

The county faced 25 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the area currently remains abnormally dry. However, with 0% in severe drought, moderate supplemental watering is usually enough to maintain a healthy green appearance.

Seeding for Success in Boone

Cool-season grasses like tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass thrive in this zone when planted during the cooler windows. Aim to finish fall seeding after the October 31 frost or start spring projects before the April 7 frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boone County's county score?
Boone County, Missouri has a composite county score of 39.7 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 Boone County rank among counties in Missouri?
Boone County ranks #103 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 Boone County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Boone County is $2,328, with an effective tax rate of 0.85%. This earns Boone County a tax score of 46.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Boone County?
The median household income in Boone County, Missouri is $72,758 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Boone County earns an income score of 68.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Boone County, Missouri a good place to live?
Boone County scores 39.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #103 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Boone 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 Boone County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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