CountyScore

Carroll County

Missouri · MO

#37 in Missouri
71.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Carroll County, Missouri

Carroll ranks well above national median

With a composite score of 74.4, Carroll County outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 49%, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a county that delivers solid livability across the dimensions measured so far.

Nearly matches Missouri's county average

Carroll's 74.4 score sits just slightly below Missouri's state average of 74.8, indicating it's a typical high-performing county within the state. It ranks solidly among Missouri's more livable counties overall.

Tax breaks and affordable housing shine

Carroll excels at affordability with a cost score of 84.0 and a tax score of 78.5, featuring an effective tax rate of just 0.844% and median home values of $110,500. Renters benefit too, with median gross rent at $785 per month—a reasonable burden for most households.

Income levels lag behind state peers

The county's income score of 23.7 is notably low, with a median household income of $61,712 that trails many comparable Missouri counties. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality also means a fuller livability picture remains to be drawn.

Ideal for budget-conscious, stable families

Carroll County suits families and retirees seeking affordable housing and low taxes without requiring high incomes to thrive. It's best for people prioritizing cost of living over career advancement opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.5Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth65.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.7Risk67.4WaterComing Soon
🏛78.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡67.4
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 Carroll County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Monroe County
Alabama
71.6
Median income: $40,225
Bradford County
Florida
71.6
Median income: $59,740
Banks County
Georgia
71.6
Median income: $68,830
Warrick County
Indiana
71.6
Median income: $95,027
Mason County
Kentucky
71.6
Median income: $51,473

Deep Dives

Carroll County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Carroll County

via TaxByCounty

Carroll taxes well below national average

Carroll County's effective tax rate of 0.844% sits significantly below the national median of 0.93%, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay just $933 annually in property tax on a median home valued at $110,500, compared to the national median of $2,690 on homes worth $281,900.

Slightly above Missouri's average rate

Carroll County ranks in the middle of Missouri's 114 counties with its 0.844% effective rate, outpacing the state average of 0.733% by about 0.11 percentage points. The median tax bill of $933 falls well below Missouri's state median of $1,199, reflecting the county's lower home values rather than higher rates.

More expensive than surrounding counties

Carroll County's 0.844% rate exceeds nearby Carter County (0.443%) and Cedar County (0.587%), but trails Clark County's 0.969% across the region. On comparable $110,000-$120,000 homes, Carroll's tax burden sits in the middle of its peer group.

A $933 annual bill on typical home

The typical Carroll County homeowner with a $110,500 home pays $933 in annual property tax, or about $78 per month. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $945 as escrow includes insurance and other levies.

Appeal if assessed above market value

Many Missouri homeowners discover they're assessed significantly higher than their homes' actual market value. If your property assessment seems out of line with recent sales in your area, you have the right to appeal—a free process that could lower your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Carroll County

via CostByCounty

Carroll's rent burden sits below national average

Carroll County renters spend 15.3% of their income on rent, slightly below the national median of roughly 16%. With a median household income of $61,712 against the national average of $74,755, residents here earn about 17% less than their U.S. counterparts but manage a more favorable rent-to-income ratio.

Mid-range affordability across Missouri

Carroll County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.3% places it just below Missouri's state average of 15.6%, indicating slightly better than typical housing affordability for the region. The median rent of $785 exceeds the state average of $768 by just $17, suggesting Carroll sits in the middle tier of Missouri's housing market.

More affordable than northern peers

Carroll County renters face lower burdens than neighboring Clay County (17.0% rent-to-income) but slightly higher costs than Chariton County to the east (10.2%). At $785 monthly, Carroll's median rent falls between Clark County's $589 and Cass County's $1,147, reflecting its position in Missouri's housing spectrum.

Where Carroll's housing dollars go

On a median income of $61,712, Carroll renters pay $785 monthly (15.3% of income) while homeowners spend $680 monthly toward ownership costs. Together, these patterns show that housing consumes roughly one-sixth of household income in Carroll, leaving adequate room for other expenses.

Consider Carroll for moderate costs

If you're weighing relocation options, Carroll County offers below-national-average rent burdens without the premium prices of Cass or Clay counties. Compare these costs against your own income expectations—Carroll's $785 median rent suits households earning $50,000 to $75,000 particularly well.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Carroll County

via IncomeByCounty

Carroll County trails the nation

Carroll County's median household income of $61,712 falls $13,043 short of the national median of $74,755. This ranks the county in the lower-middle tier nationally, reflecting rural Missouri's economic challenges compared to prosperous coastal and tech-hub regions.

Above average for Missouri

At $61,712, Carroll County earns $2,209 more than Missouri's average median household income of $59,503, placing it in the upper half of the state's 114 counties. This modest advantage reflects the county's more stable employment base relative to rural peers.

Mixed fortunes in mid-Missouri

Carroll County ($61,712) outpaces Cedar County ($45,577) and Clark County ($51,458) but trails the prosperous KC suburbs like Cass County ($87,413) and Clay County ($86,150). Neighboring Chariton County ($63,307) represents comparable economic standing in the region.

Rent is manageable here

Carroll County households spend just 15.3% of income on rent—below the national affordability threshold of 30% and well below stressed counties like Cedar County at 20.6%. With a median home value of $110,500, homeownership remains accessible for many families.

Build wealth through planning

Carroll County's above-average rent-to-income ratio creates room to invest. With per capita income at $33,666, households can direct savings into retirement accounts, home equity, or diversified investments to grow long-term wealth beyond the regional median.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Carroll County

via HealthByCounty

Carroll County's life expectancy edges ahead

At 74.8 years, Carroll County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, a small but meaningful advantage. The county's 19.3% poor or fair health rating beats the national average of 21%, suggesting residents report better day-to-day health despite modest population size.

Above Missouri's average lifespan

Carroll County ranks in the healthier half of Missouri counties with a life expectancy 0.5 years above the state average of 74.3 years. The county's 19.3% poor/fair health rate is notably better than many peer Missouri counties, positioning it as a relatively healthy rural community.

Competitive health metrics regionally

Carroll County's life expectancy of 74.8 years falls between neighboring Chariton County (75.6 years) and Carter County (71.5 years), showing moderate regional variation. With 19.3% reporting poor or fair health, Carroll performs better than Cedar County (24.1%) but slightly worse than Cass County (14.8%).

Decent primary care, fair coverage

Carroll County's uninsured rate of 11.7% is below Missouri's 12.5% average, meaning most residents have some health coverage. The county offers 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—modest for rural Missouri—with 60 mental health providers per 100,000, suggesting reasonable access to behavioral health services.

Explore your coverage options today

With 11.7% of Carroll County residents uninsured, checking healthcare.gov or contacting Missouri's Medicaid office could unlock affordable coverage. Even small gaps in insurance leave families vulnerable to medical debt—take 15 minutes today to see what plans match your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Carroll County

via RiskByCounty

Carroll County's low risk rating

With a composite risk score of 32.60, Carroll County ranks as Very Low risk nationally—well below the state average of 50.56. This protective position reflects generally modest exposure to major natural hazards across the county.

Missouri's safest counties

Carroll County is among Missouri's lowest-risk counties, scoring significantly below the state average. The county's balanced hazard profile means residents face less frequent and intense disaster threats than most Missourians.

Safer than most neighbors

Carroll County's 32.60 score beats nearby Chariton County (29.42) and Cedar County (26.05), making it a stable middle ground in a relatively safe region. Its tornado risk of 56.84 is notably higher than flood risk (45.39), reflecting regional weather patterns.

Tornado risk leads the list

Tornadoes pose the greatest threat with a risk score of 56.84, while flooding (45.39) and wildfire (43.86) present secondary concerns. Spring and early summer bring the highest tornado likelihood, making severe weather preparedness essential for residents.

Focus on tornado coverage

Standard homeowners insurance covers some wind damage but may exclude severe tornado losses—consider adding guaranteed replacement cost endorsements. Review your safe room options and maintain a family disaster plan, especially during tornado season.

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.