countyscore
64.7
County Score
Disaster Risk 85.6Safety 82.5Lawn Care 81.6

County Report Card

About Caldwell County, Missouri

Elite National Standing

Caldwell County boasts an impressive composite score of 64.7, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high standard of living across most quality-of-life categories.

Top-Tier Missouri Ranking

With a 64.7 score, Caldwell County is a standout performer in Missouri, significantly beating the state average of 50.3. It offers a rare combination of safety, affordability, and school quality.

Safety, Schools, and Stability

The county excels with a Risk Score of 85.6 and a Safety Score of 82.5. Families benefit from a strong School Score of 71.5 and an exceptional Cost Score of 80.5, driven by a low $628 median rent.

Water and Health Access

Water quality is the primary weak point with a score of 10.9, suggesting a need for infrastructure improvements. Health access also trails other metrics with a score of 37.5, reflecting its more rural nature.

A Paradise for Young Families

Caldwell County is an ideal destination for families seeking high-quality schools and an exceptionally safe environment at a bargain price. It offers a peaceful, secure lifestyle that is increasingly hard to find in more urban areas.

Score breakdown

Tax54.5Cost80.5Safety82.5Health37.5Schools71.5Income46.6Risk85.6Water10.9Weather50.3
🏛54.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼46.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡82.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤37.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓71.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡85.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧10.9
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤50.3
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨69.3
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱81.6
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 →
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Caldwell County?

Many homeowners in Caldwell County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

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
Compare Caldwell County with Burt County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Burt County
Nebraska
Median income: $57,303
64.7
Phelps County
Nebraska
Median income: $65,988
64.7
Lexington city
Virginia
Median income: $89,598
64.7
Wallace County
Kansas
Median income: $60,263
64.8
Lewis County
Kentucky
Median income: $41,632
64.8
Magoffin County
Kentucky
Median income: $33,632
64.8
Carbon County
Montana
Median income: $71,017
64.8
Monroe County
Ohio
Median income: $58,962
64.8

Nearby counties

Daviess County
Missouri
53.6
Clinton County
Missouri
47.7
DeKalb County
Missouri
55.9
Ray County
Missouri
42.2
Livingston County
Missouri
52.7
Carroll County
Missouri
58.1
Grundy County
Missouri
51
Lafayette County
Missouri
56.2

Deep Dives

Caldwell County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Caldwell County

via TaxByCounty

Caldwell County near national tax rate

At 0.785%, Caldwell County's effective tax rate sits above the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the middle-upper band of U.S. counties. Residents pay $1,230 annually on a median home of $156,700—less than half the national median property tax.

Slightly above Missouri's average

Caldwell's 0.785% rate runs 7% above Missouri's 0.733% state average, making it a moderate-to-higher-tax county. The median annual tax of $1,230 sits just above Missouri's median of $1,199.

North-central Missouri tax landscape

Caldwell (0.785%) taxes nearly identically to Callaway County (0.789%) but below Boone County (0.878%) in the region. This rural north-central cluster offers moderate tax burdens compared to larger urban centers.

Caldwell homeowners' annual tax burden

On a median home valued at $156,700, Caldwell residents pay $1,230 per year in property taxes—approximately $103 monthly. Mortgage holders average $1,514 annually when escrow is factored in.

Caldwell County: Appeal if overassessed

Many Caldwell County homeowners overpay due to outdated or incorrect property valuations. Filing a tax appeal with the county assessor can reduce your assessed value and save money annually if market comparables support your claim.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Caldwell County

via CostByCounty

Caldwell County: Missouri's affordability leader

Caldwell County's 12.1% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest in this entire group and well below both the national standard and Missouri's 15.6% average. At $628 monthly, the median rent is the cheapest here, making Caldwell an exceptional affordability standout.

Best rent-to-income ratio in sample

Caldwell County ranks first among these eight counties with a 12.1% rent-to-income ratio, beating the state average by 3.5 percentage points. This affordability advantage reflects both low rents and a stable household income of $62,520.

Unbeaten affordability in the region

Caldwell County's $628 rent and 12.1% ratio crush neighbors: Bollinger (14.2%), Callaway (14.0%), and Cape Girardeau (15.3%) all cost more. Caldwell delivers the region's best rent-to-income value by a clear margin.

Rent and ownership both reasonable

Caldwell County households earn $62,520 annually and allocate just 12.1% to rent ($628) or $717 for homeownership on median properties valued at $156,700. Both tenure paths remain affordable, with ownership costs slightly higher but still manageable.

Caldwell: the affordability winner

If housing affordability is your top priority, Caldwell County delivers: 12.1% rent-to-income, the lowest rent at $628, and reasonable home values at $156,700. This is Missouri's best value among comparable counties in this analysis.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Caldwell County

via IncomeByCounty

Caldwell moderately below national median

Caldwell County's median household income of $62,520 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $12,200, representing a 16% gap. The county ranks in the lower-middle range nationally, indicating modest earnings relative to U.S. norms.

Above average within Missouri

Caldwell's median household income of $62,520 exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by roughly $3,000, placing the county in the upper half of Missouri counties. The county performs better than most regional peers on income measures.

Solid earner among nearby counties

Caldwell's $62,520 income ranks above Bollinger County ($57,286) and Buchanan County ($59,423) but below Callaway County ($72,645) and Cape Girardeau County ($68,912). The county's per capita income of $31,963 also slightly exceeds the state average, indicating balanced prosperity.

Excellent rental affordability

Caldwell boasts an exceptional rent-to-income ratio of just 12.1%, well below the 30% affordability threshold, giving households substantial discretionary income. The median home value of $156,700 aligns reasonably with local incomes, supporting homeownership accessibility.

Invest savings for long-term growth

Caldwell's favorable rent burden creates a genuine opportunity to invest beyond emergency funds and retirement contributions. Residents should explore diversified portfolios—low-cost index funds, bonds, and real estate—to build meaningful wealth over 20+ year horizons.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Caldwell County

via CrimeByCounty

Caldwell County is Exceptionally Safe

Caldwell County boasts a remarkable safety score of 99.3 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 416.9 per 100,000 is a mere fraction of the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top-Tier Safety Rank in Missouri

The county's safety score of 99.3 far exceeds the Missouri state average of 97.0. It stands out as one of the safest regions in the state, with crime rates significantly lower than the 1926.2 state average.

Outperforming Nearby Buchanan County

Caldwell's crime rate of 416.9 is roughly ten times lower than that of neighboring Buchanan County. This makes Caldwell a very quiet and secure alternative to its more active neighbors.

Minimal Crime Across All Categories

Violent crime is rare at 78.9 per 100,000, while property crime is also very low at 338.0. These numbers are well below national averages of 369.8 and 2,015.7 respectively.

Maintaining a Secure Environment

While crime is infrequent, maintaining basic home security habits ensures the community stays safe. Simple measures like locking doors and knowing your neighbors go a long way in Caldwell.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Caldwell County

via HealthByCounty

Caldwell near national average but rural

Caldwell's 74.8-year life expectancy sits slightly below the U.S. average of 79 years, yet about 20% report poor or fair health. This small, rural northwest Missouri county faces access constraints despite holding roughly mid-range national health metrics.

Slightly above state average, isolation persists

At 74.8 years, Caldwell's life expectancy edges above Missouri's 74.3-year average, but its 13.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state benchmark. The county's 20% poor/fair health rate signals that small size and geographic isolation create distinct healthcare challenges.

Rural isolation limits provider access severely

Caldwell's 11 primary care providers per 100K is the region's lowest—roughly 7 times fewer than Boone County's 118. With only 34 mental health providers per 100K, Caldwell residents often travel long distances for specialist care, a reality in Missouri's most rural counties.

Rural isolation creates real healthcare barriers

Caldwell's 11 primary care providers per 100K mean residents may face 30+ minute drives for routine checkups, while only 34 mental health providers per 100K forces many to seek care across county lines. The 13.1% uninsured rate compounds these access gaps, leaving vulnerable populations without safety nets.

Rural residents deserve affordable coverage

Caldwell's geographic isolation makes coverage even more critical—uninsured emergencies can bankrupt families without adequate support. Check Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans and subsidies that make rural healthcare affordable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Caldwell County

via SchoolsByCounty

Small Districts, Big Academic Results

Caldwell County operates a unique landscape of 14 public schools split among eight different districts. Despite only serving 1,496 total students, the county maintains a diverse split of eight elementary and four high schools.

Leading the State in Performance

The county boasts an exceptional 95.3% graduation rate, far surpassing the state average of 91.3%. This success is supported by a high per-pupil expenditure of $7,544, which is significantly more than both the Missouri average and neighboring counties.

Hamilton R-II Sets the Standard

Hamilton R-II is the largest district, serving 641 students across three schools including Hamilton Elementary and Penney High. There are no charter schools in the county, emphasizing the importance of these local public districts.

Intimate Rural Learning Environments

All 14 schools are in rural settings, with a tiny average school size of only 107 students. This creates a very personal atmosphere where the largest school, Hamilton Elementary, has only 289 students and some schools have even fewer.

Find Your Home in a High-Performing Area

If you value small class sizes and high graduation rates, the Hamilton R-II and Polo R-VII districts are excellent places to start a home search. These districts prove that small rural schools can offer some of the best academic outcomes in Missouri.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Caldwell County

via RiskByCounty

Caldwell ranks among safest counties

Caldwell County's composite risk score of 14.41 places it among the nation's lowest-risk counties with a Very Low rating. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure to major natural disasters.

Missouri's lowest-risk county

Caldwell's score of 14.41 is the lowest in Missouri and dramatically below the state average of 50.56. Caldwell residents enjoy one of the safest natural disaster profiles in the entire state.

Safest in its region by far

Caldwell's score of 14.41 dwarfs nearby Callaway County (63.93) and Boone County (85.75). It stands as the clear safety leader among all its neighboring counties.

Wildfire emerges as top concern

Wildfire risk scores 45.39 in Caldwell, the county's highest hazard, though still modest in absolute terms. Tornadoes rank second at 37.66, while flood, earthquake, and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Caldwell's Very Low composite risk rating means a standard homeowners policy typically provides adequate coverage for most residents. Focus on maintaining basic preparedness and ensure your roof and gutters are fire-resistant given the wildfire score of 45.39.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Caldwell County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler Northern Missouri Climate

Caldwell County averages 52.0°F annually, placing it below the national median temperature. This region favors cooler winters and more moderate summer peaks.

Well Below State Temperature Averages

The county is nearly 3 degrees cooler than the Missouri average of 54.9°F. Annual precipitation of 39.6 inches is also about 4 inches below the state norm.

A Cooler Neighbor to Cass

Caldwell remains consistently cooler than neighboring Cass County to the south. Its 10.8 inches of annual snow is lighter than the snowfall seen in central Missouri.

Bracing Winters and Mild Summers

Winters are brisk with a 28.4°F average, while summers are mild compared to the rest of the state. Only 29 days a year reach the extreme heat threshold of 90°F.

Prepare for Sub-Freezing Winters

Residents should focus on heating efficiency given the 28.4°F average winter temperatures. Cooling needs are lower here, as it sees 10 fewer extreme heat days than the state average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Caldwell County

via SoilByCounty

Caldwell County's Acidic Baseline

Caldwell County's soil averages a pH of 6.12, falling below the national median of 6.5 but sitting near the state average. This level is generally manageable for most Missouri forage and grain crops.

High Clay and Silt Concentration

The soil contains 27.2% clay and 57.9% silt, making it one of the heavier compositions in the region. Only 14.4% of the soil is sand, which results in a dense texture that holds nutrients tightly.

Superior Water Holding Capacity

With an available water capacity of 0.200, Caldwell's soil outperforms the state average for moisture retention. This high capacity is vital for sustaining plants during the dry mid-summer months.

Managing Water in Dense Soil

Classified as subaqueous, the local drainage patterns suggest that water may linger on the surface. Gardeners should consider raised beds to help manage the high clay content and prevent saturation.

Northern Missouri Growing in 6a

In hardiness zone 6a, gardeners can enjoy success with hardy perennials and orchard fruits. The county's soil score of 69.3 indicates a solid foundation for a thriving home landscape.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Caldwell County

via LawnByCounty

Caldwell County's Premier Lawn Conditions

Caldwell County boasts an impressive lawn difficulty score of 81.6, nearly double the score of some neighboring counties. This 6a hardiness zone offers a highly favorable environment that is much easier to manage than the state average.

Mild Summers and Ideal Rainfall

Residents enjoy only 29 extreme heat days per year, well below the state average of 37. Combined with 39.6 inches of annual precipitation, these conditions reduce heat stress and minimize the need for constant irrigation.

Strong Clay-Based Soil Foundation

The soil pH of 6.12 is within the ideal window for grass growth, and the 27.2% clay content helps the ground hold onto moisture. A shorter growing season of 3,550 growing degree days means less frequent mowing compared to southern counties.

Minimal Drought Impacts Locally

Caldwell County has only experienced 7 weeks of drought over the past year, a remarkably low number for Missouri. With only 1.6% of the area being abnormally dry, the current conditions are excellent for maintaining a lush, green lawn.

Seeding Success in Zone 6a

Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are perfect for Caldwell's mild climate. Plan your seeding projects after the final spring frost on April 23 or as the fall season begins around the October 17 frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Caldwell County's county score?
Caldwell County, Missouri has a composite county score of 64.7 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 Caldwell County rank among counties in Missouri?
Caldwell County ranks #4 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 Caldwell County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Caldwell County is $1,230, with an effective tax rate of 0.78%. This earns Caldwell County a tax score of 54.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Caldwell County?
The median household income in Caldwell County, Missouri is $62,520 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Caldwell County earns an income score of 46.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Caldwell County, Missouri a good place to live?
Caldwell County scores 64.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #4 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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.