CountyScore

Callaway County

Missouri · MO

#78 in Missouri
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Callaway County, Missouri

Callaway ranks solidly above national standards

Callaway County's composite score of 73.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by about 46%, indicating strong livability nationally. However, it trails Missouri's state average of 74.8, reflecting slightly above-average but not exceptional state-level performance.

Callaway slightly underperforms state average

At 73.0, Callaway County scores 1.8 points below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it just below the middle tier of Missouri counties. Despite this modest gap, it remains a solid option statewide.

Strong incomes paired with moderate affordability

Callaway County's Income Score of 30.8 and median household income of $72,645 rank among the highest in this cohort, offering strong earning potential. A Tax Score of 80.1 keeps tax burden manageable, with median home values at $196,200.

Housing costs moderate but not exceptional

A Cost Score of 78.2 and median gross rent of $850 per month place housing affordability in the middle range—solid but not outstanding. Missing data on schools, safety, health, and environmental quality limits full livability assessment.

Great for professionals seeking earning potential

Callaway County appeals to working professionals and families comfortable with moderate housing costs in exchange for higher incomes and professional opportunity. It's a balanced choice for those prioritizing economic advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.1Cost78.2SafetyComing SoonHealth67.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.8Risk36.1WaterComing Soon
🏛80.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.1
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 Callaway County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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68.6
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68.6
Median income: $76,534
Catoosa County
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68.6
Median income: $72,425
Shoshone County
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68.6
Median income: $49,975
Cumberland County
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68.6
Median income: $69,826

Deep Dives

Callaway County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Callaway County

via TaxByCounty

Callaway County taxes above national median

At 0.789%, Callaway County's effective tax rate surpasses the national median of 0.733%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. Homeowners pay $1,549 annually on a median home of $196,200—57% below the national median property tax.

Above-average within Missouri

Callaway's 0.789% rate runs 8% above Missouri's 0.733% state average, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties statewide. The median annual tax of $1,549 exceeds Missouri's median of $1,199 by 29%.

Central Missouri's tax comparison

Callaway (0.789%) virtually matches Caldwell County (0.785%) but falls notably below Boone County (0.878%) in the region. This mid-Missouri county sits in the moderate-to-higher tax bracket regionally.

What Callaway homeowners pay annually

On a median home valued at $196,200, Callaway residents pay $1,549 per year in property taxes—roughly $129 monthly. Homeowners with mortgages average $1,616 annually when escrow is included.

Callaway residents: Check your assessment

Property tax overassessments can persist for years without challenge. Callaway County homeowners should review their assessed value against recent comparable sales and file an appeal with the county assessor if they believe it's too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Callaway County

via CostByCounty

Callaway balances income and affordability

Callaway County's 14.0% rent-to-income ratio sits below the state average of 15.6% and reflects the region's second-highest household income at $72,645. At $850 monthly, rent remains manageable despite income still trailing the national average of $74,755.

Above-average income, solid affordability

Callaway County ranks third in this group for affordability with a 14.0% rent-to-income ratio, benefiting from above-average household income of $72,645. This combination places it among Missouri's more livable counties.

Middle ground between comfort and value

Callaway County's $850 rent and 14.0% ratio strike a balance: better than pricey Boone (18.2%) and Buchanan (17.9%), though not as cheap as Caldwell (12.1%). It offers strong household income ($72,645) second only to Boone County.

Solid earnings support housing costs

Callaway County households earn $72,645 annually, paying $850 monthly rent (14.0% of income) or $981 for ownership on median homes valued at $196,200. Both pathways remain affordable thanks to incomes above the county group average.

Callaway offers comfort and value

Relocating to Callaway County provides a sweet spot: above-average income potential ($72,645), a manageable 14.0% rent-to-income ratio, and reasonable home values at $196,200. It's an ideal choice if you want affordability without sacrificing earning potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Callaway County

via IncomeByCounty

Callaway nears national income level

Callaway County's median household income of $72,645 comes within $2,100 of the national median of $74,755, placing it nearly at parity with the U.S. average. The county ranks solidly in the upper-middle range nationally, reflecting strong regional economic performance.

Missouri's top earners

Callaway County ranks among Missouri's highest-income counties with a median household income of $72,645—exceeding the state average of $59,503 by more than $13,100. The county's economic strength positions it in the top tier statewide.

Regional income leader

Callaway's $72,645 median income tops most neighboring counties, surpassing Boone County's $69,913 and significantly exceeding Caldwell County ($62,520), Buchanan County ($59,423), and Bollinger County ($57,286). The county's diverse economy and proximity to regional job centers drive strong earnings.

Strong income, moderate housing costs

Callaway's rent-to-income ratio of 14.0% indicates excellent affordability, with housing consuming only a small portion of household earnings. The median home value of $196,200 is reasonable relative to local incomes, supporting both rental and homeownership stability.

Maximize retirement and investment accounts

Callaway's higher incomes enable meaningful contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts—aim to maximize 401(k) and IRA limits where possible. With secure housing costs and strong earnings, residents are well-positioned to build investment portfolios and long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Callaway County

via HealthByCounty

Callaway approaches national health benchmarks

At 76.0 years, Callaway's life expectancy sits 3 years below the U.S. average of 79 but ranks among Missouri's upper-tier counties. The 20% poor/fair health rate matches the national average, indicating baseline wellness comparable to many U.S. regions.

Callaway exceeds state averages across metrics

Callaway's 76.0-year life expectancy ranks 1.7 years above Missouri's 74.3-year average, and its 9.8% uninsured rate is 2.7 points below the state's 12.5% average. This central Missouri county performs solidly on coverage and lifespan measures.

Competitive health standing among peers

Callaway's 76.0-year life expectancy falls short of Boone County's 78.3 but exceeds Buchanan County's 73.4 by nearly 2.5 years. With 38 primary care providers per 100K, Callaway has modest access compared to better-resourced counties but significantly more than rural Caldwell.

Solid coverage with room for improvement

Callaway's 9.8% uninsured rate and 38 primary care providers per 100K provide reasonable foundational care access for most residents. However, 192 mental health providers per 100K suggests potential gaps for residents seeking behavioral health support or counseling.

Maintain strong coverage year to year

With Callaway's already-low uninsured rate, focus on maintaining continuous coverage through annual plan reviews and employer updates. If you're among the 10% uninsured, marketplace plans with subsidies are available—visit Healthcare.gov during open enrollment.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Callaway County

via RiskByCounty

Callaway faces moderate risk exposure

Callaway County's composite risk score of 63.93 exceeds the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating. The county experiences meaningful but not severe exposure across multiple natural hazard categories.

Mid-range risk among Missouri counties

At 63.93, Callaway's score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56 by about 13 points, placing it in the upper-middle tier for state disaster risk. Preparedness is warranted but not urgent.

Moderate risk relative to region

Callaway's score of 63.93 sits between lower-risk Buchanan County (74.36) to the north and lower-risk Caldwell County (14.41) to the west, while Camden County (88.39) to the south carries substantially higher risk.

Floods and wildfires lead hazards

Callaway residents face flood risk of 68.35 and wildfire risk of 66.19, the two most significant threats. Tornadoes score 61.64, rounding out a trio of moderate concerns across the county.

Flood policy strongly recommended

With flood risk at 68.35, a standalone flood insurance policy is essential for Callaway homeowners, as standard policies exclude water damage. Review your coverage annually and consider wildfire mitigation for your property's defensible space.

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.