CountyScore

Cedar County

Missouri · MO

#44 in Missouri
71.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Cedar County, Missouri

Cedar ranks 51% above national median

Cedar County's composite score of 75.7 substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, confirming its position as a highly livable county. It ranks in the top third of U.S. counties by this measure.

Slightly outpaces Missouri's county average

Cedar's 75.7 score edges above Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it among the state's stronger-performing counties. It represents the solid middle-to-upper tier of Missouri livability.

Exceptional tax and cost advantages

Cedar's tax score of 85.8 and cost score of 83.7 deliver remarkable value: an effective tax rate of 0.587% and median rent of just $783 monthly. Median home values of $162,500 offer affordable entry to homeownership.

Low incomes limit wealth-building potential

An income score of 13.1 reflects the county's median household income of $45,577—among the lowest in this group. Safety, school quality, and health data remain unavailable but would be important for a complete picture.

Ideal for cost-conscious rural families

Cedar County suits retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over local wage opportunities. It's best for those with stable outside income or minimal living expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.8Cost83.7SafetyComing SoonHealth58.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.1Risk74WaterComing Soon
🏛85.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74
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 Cedar County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alamosa County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $51,445
Grand County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $84,558
Bingham County
Idaho
71.2
Median income: $76,842
Hamilton County
Illinois
71.2
Median income: $61,520
Hancock County
Indiana
71.2
Median income: $91,326

Deep Dives

Cedar County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cedar County

via TaxByCounty

Cedar's tax rate trails national average

Cedar County's effective tax rate of 0.587% sits well below the national median of 0.93%, placing it in the lower tier of U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay $953 annually on a $162,500 median home, less than one-third the national median tax bill.

Below Missouri's statewide average

Cedar County ranks in the lower half of Missouri's 114 counties with a 0.587% effective rate, nearly 0.15 percentage points below the state average of 0.733%. The median tax of $953 is significantly below Missouri's median of $1,199, despite Cedar having slightly higher home values.

Lower tax burden than surrounding areas

Cedar County's 0.587% rate undercuts Carroll (0.844%) and Chariton (0.757%), though it exceeds only Carter County (0.443%) in its immediate peer group. For a $162,500 home, Cedar residents enjoy a lighter tax load than most regional neighbors.

About $953 yearly on median home

The typical Cedar County homeowner with a $162,500 home pays $953 in annual property tax, roughly $79 per month. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,042 as escrow captures insurance and other property-related costs.

Assessment appeals help even lower-tax areas

Cedar County's below-average rates shouldn't discourage you from checking your assessment against comparable home sales in your neighborhood. Many homeowners are still overassessed; a simple appeal could further reduce your tax burden at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cedar County

via CostByCounty

Cedar faces severe affordability crisis

Cedar County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's worst, far exceeding the national average near 16%. With a median household income of just $45,577 against the national median of $74,755, Cedar residents earn roughly 39% less while devoting more than one-fifth of income to rent alone.

Missouri's most unaffordable county housing

Cedar County's 20.6% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Missouri's 15.6% state average, making it one of the state's most strained housing markets. This gap reveals the county's acute mismatch between wages and housing costs, positioning Cedar in a critical affordability zone.

Worst burden in rural Missouri cluster

Cedar County's renters face the heaviest burden among its rural peers: 20.6% versus Carter's 17.6%, Chariton's 10.2%, and Clark's 13.7%. At $783 monthly, Cedar's rent actually sits near the state average, but low incomes transform modest costs into an unaffordable crisis.

Majority of income consumed by housing

Cedar County's median household income of $45,577 means $783 monthly rent claims 20.6% of earnings, while mortgage payments reach $703. This leaves families with under $3,000 monthly for food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—a precarious situation by any standard.

Cedar demands extraordinary caution

Cedar County housing is only viable for those with household incomes exceeding $50,000 and secure employment; the county's limited job market amplifies already-severe affordability stress. Relocate to Cedar only after confirming stable, well-paying work—low rent masks a deeper economic challenge.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cedar County

via IncomeByCounty

Cedar County struggles nationally

Cedar County's median household income of $45,577 lags the national median of $74,755 by $29,178—a 39% shortfall. This deeply rural Ozark county ranks among America's most economically stressed communities.

Bottom tier in Missouri

Cedar County ranks in Missouri's lowest income quartile with median household income $13,926 below the state average of $59,503. The per capita income of $30,047 slightly exceeds state average, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.

Second-poorest in comparison set

Cedar County ($45,577) edges out Carter County ($45,083) but trails Clark County ($51,458) and all other peer counties by significant margins. The 20.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among comparison counties, signaling acute housing stress.

Housing costs squeeze families

Cedar County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% exceeds the 30% stress threshold by itself and leaves little margin. With median home values at $162,500 and household incomes at $45,577, homeownership remains inaccessible for most families.

Invest in skills first

Given limited liquid income, Cedar County residents should prioritize education and vocational training as wealth-building tools. Community college programs and employer training reimbursement can raise earning potential more effectively than traditional investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cedar County

via HealthByCounty

Cedar County faces significant health challenges

At 74.7 years, Cedar County's life expectancy matches the U.S. average of 74.5 years, but the county's 24.1% poor or fair health rate substantially exceeds the national average of 21%. Residents report worse day-to-day health despite similar lifespans, signaling quality-of-life concerns.

Among Missouri's least healthy counties

Cedar County ranks near the bottom of Missouri health outcomes with a 24.1% poor/fair health rate—one of the state's worst. Though life expectancy at 74.7 years is near the state average of 74.3, residents report significantly worse health status than peers statewide.

Worst health outcomes in region

Cedar County's 24.1% poor/fair health rate is the worst among its neighbors, surpassing Carter County (22.7%) and Carroll County (19.3%). At 74.7 years life expectancy, Cedar trails Cass (77.0) and Christian (77.2) counties by notable margins.

High uninsured rate, good primary care access

Cedar County's uninsured rate of 14.7% is the highest in this county cohort and well above Missouri's 12.5%, leaving many residents without coverage. The county offers 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—above average—and 89 mental health providers, showing decent infrastructure despite access barriers.

Cedar County needs healthcare coverage

At 14.7% uninsured, Cedar County residents face above-average risk of medical debt and delayed care—visit healthcare.gov to explore plans. With decent provider availability in the county, having insurance ensures you can actually access the care you need.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cedar County

via RiskByCounty

Cedar County's very low risk

Cedar County scores just 26.05 on the composite risk scale—significantly below Missouri's state average of 50.56—earning a Very Low national rating. The county represents one of Missouri's safest jurisdictions for natural disaster exposure.

Missouri's safest counties

Cedar County ranks among the lowest-risk counties statewide, with exposure well below the state median. Residents enjoy substantially lower disaster risk compared to most Missourians.

Safer than surrounding area

Cedar County's 26.05 score edges out even Clark County (21.82) and Chariton County (29.42), making it a low-risk pocket in central Missouri. Nearby Cass County (74.90) and Christian County (66.48) face far greater hazards, highlighting Cedar's relative safety.

Tornado risk highest concern

Tornadoes represent Cedar County's primary hazard with a 63.30 score, though this remains moderate compared to neighboring counties. Wildfire (49.40) and earthquake (43.67) pose secondary threats, while flooding (24.75) is minimal across the county.

Basic storm coverage sufficient

Given Cedar County's low overall risk, standard homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage provides adequate protection for most properties. Review flood insurance only if your property lies near rivers or creeks; spring tornado drills remain a sensible precaution.

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.