CountyScore

Clark County

Missouri · MO

#29 in Missouri
72.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Clark County, Missouri

Clark ranks 50% above national baseline

Clark County's composite score of 75.0 substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it among highly livable U.S. counties. Its strength lies in exceptional housing affordability.

Matches Missouri's county average precisely

Clark's 75.0 score virtually aligns with Missouri's state average of 74.8, positioning it as a representative high-performing county. It demonstrates the strength of rural Missouri livability.

Outstanding housing and rent affordability

Clark's cost score of 89.5 is the second-highest in this group, with median rent of just $589 and median home values of $117,600. These costs make homeownership accessible to households across income levels.

Lower incomes and highest tax burden

An income score of 17.0 reflects a median household income of $51,458, the second-lowest in this group. The tax score of 75.0 and effective rate of 0.969% are also the highest among these counties, partly offsetting cost advantages.

Best for retirees and rural remote workers

Clark County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and households with stable outside income seeking maximum housing value. It's less suitable for those dependent on local wage employment or with higher tax sensitivity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75Cost89.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17Risk78.2WaterComing Soon
🏛75
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡78.2
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 Clark County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Heard County
Georgia
72.4
Median income: $62,907
Minidoka County
Idaho
72.4
Median income: $70,060
Pocahontas County
Iowa
72.4
Median income: $63,423
Hickman County
Kentucky
72.4
Median income: $63,750
Baraga County
Michigan
72.4
Median income: $55,117

Deep Dives

Clark County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clark County

via TaxByCounty

Clark has one of Missouri's highest rates

Clark County's effective tax rate of 0.969% slightly exceeds the national median of 0.93%, putting it in the upper tier of American counties. Homeowners pay $1,139 annually on a modest $117,600 median home—a relatively heavy burden for the property values.

Second-highest rate statewide

Clark County ranks second among Missouri's 114 counties with a 0.969% effective rate, trailing only Clay County (1.099%) and far above the state average of 0.733%. Its median tax of $1,139 nearly matches Missouri's median despite having lower home values, indicating a substantially heavier tax load.

The heaviest burden in its region

Clark County's 0.969% rate exceeds all nearby counties: Carroll (0.844%), Cedar (0.587%), Carter (0.443%), and Chariton (0.757%). Only across the state do Clay (1.099%) and Clark match this elevated tax pressure.

Over $1,100 annually on typical home

A typical Clark County homeowner with a $117,600 home pays $1,139 in annual property tax, or about $95 per month. With a mortgage, that rises to $1,142 as escrow captures insurance and related costs.

High rates make assessment appeals critical

In high-tax counties like Clark, an overassessment directly drains your wallet year after year—making appeal actions especially worthwhile. If your assessed value seems inflated compared to what similar homes sold for recently, file a free appeal to challenge it.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clark County

via CostByCounty

Clark County offers genuine rural affordability

Clark County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average near 16%, while median rent of just $589 ranks among Missouri's lowest. With median household income of $51,458, Clark residents earn substantially less than the national median of $74,755, yet their low housing costs deliver real affordability.

Below-average costs, below-average incomes

Clark County's 13.7% rent-to-income ratio sits below Missouri's 15.6% state average, and its $589 median rent falls $179 beneath the state average of $768. This combination makes Clark one of Missouri's most affordable rural counties for renters specifically.

Competitive with region's cheapest rents

Clark County's $589 median rent undercuts most regional peers, exceeding only Chariton's exceptional $540 and matching Carter at $661. Its 13.7% rent burden sits between rural affordability champions Chariton (10.2%) and Carter (17.6%), positioning Clark as a solid middle-ground option.

Modest rent, modest income balance

On a median income of $51,458, Clark households spend $589 monthly on rent (13.7%) or $564 on mortgage costs. These low absolute costs mean Clark residents retain roughly $4,200 monthly after housing for food, transportation, and essentials—genuine financial breathing room for rural Missouri.

Clark rewards remote workers and retirees

Clark County's $589 rent suits households earning $40,000–$65,000, particularly those with flexible or remote employment. If you're relocating with stable income from outside the county, Clark's low costs and rural character offer exceptional value compared to Missouri's suburban and urban alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clark County

via IncomeByCounty

Clark County trails national average

Clark County's median household income of $51,458 lags the national median of $74,755 by $23,297—a 31% shortfall. This rural northeast Missouri county ranks in the lower third nationally, reflecting limited economic opportunity outside agriculture.

Below-average for Missouri

Clark County's median household income of $51,458 falls $8,045 below Missouri's average of $59,503, ranking in the lower half of state counties. Per capita income of $26,904 runs 13% below the state average, indicating limited individual earning power.

Middle ground in region

Clark County ($51,458) outperforms Carter County ($45,083) and Cedar County ($45,577) but trails Carroll County ($61,712) and Chariton County ($63,307). The county represents typical rural Missouri income levels, above distressed areas but below small-city prosperity.

Rent modest but manageable

Clark County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.7% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, despite lower overall incomes. Median home values of $117,600 align well with household income, keeping homeownership within reach for many families.

Maximize every opportunity

Clark County's modest income and solid rent ratio create a narrow window for wealth-building. Residents should prioritize employer retirement matching, take advantage of tax-advantaged accounts, and consider real estate as a primary wealth vehicle given the affordable median home price.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clark County

via HealthByCounty

Clark County matches national health advantages

At 77.2 years, Clark County residents live 2.7 years longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, enjoying strong longevity outcomes. However, the county's 22.6% poor or fair health rate slightly exceeds the national average of 21%, showing a disconnect between lifespan and reported health status.

Long lives, but health concerns persist

Clark County ranks in Missouri's top tier for life expectancy at 77.2 years—2.9 years above the state average of 74.3—yet its 22.6% poor/fair health rate is notably above the state median. This suggests Clark residents live longer but report worse health quality than peers statewide.

Lifespan advantage, health status worry

Clark County's 77.2-year life expectancy ties Christian and Cass counties as the region's longest-lived, but its 22.6% poor/fair health rate is worse than most neighbors. This pattern is unique—Clark residents report more health problems despite living as long as healthier peers.

Adequate coverage, moderate provider access

Clark County's uninsured rate of 12.9% is slightly above Missouri's 12.5%, leaving more residents without coverage than state average. The county offers 30 primary care providers and only 30 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, signaling moderate but stretched healthcare infrastructure.

Close the coverage gap in Clark County

With 12.9% uninsured—above state average—Clark County residents should check healthcare.gov to explore affordable plans. Limited mental health provider availability (30 per 100K) makes having insurance especially important for accessing behavioral health care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clark County

via RiskByCounty

Clark County's minimal risk

Clark County scores just 21.82—Missouri's lowest recorded composite risk—placing it far below the state average of 50.56 with a Very Low national rating. The county represents one of America's safest jurisdictions for natural disaster exposure.

Missouri's safest county

Clark County holds the lowest composite risk score in Missouri at 21.82, significantly outpacing every other county statewide. Residents enjoy exceptional protection from major natural hazards.

Exceptional low-risk standing

Clark County's 21.82 score stands below even Cedar County (26.05) and Chariton County (29.42), creating a notably safe pocket in central Missouri. Nearby Cass County (74.90) and Christian County (66.48) face three times the hazard exposure.

Tornado presents primary concern

Tornadoes represent Clark County's highest risk at 25.60—still well below most counties—while wildfire (47.36) and flooding (30.50) remain minimal threats. The county's 21.82 composite score reflects balanced, low exposure across all hazard types.

Basic insurance provides security

Standard homeowners insurance with standard wind coverage adequately protects properties in Clark County's low-risk environment. A basic emergency kit and spring weather awareness complete preparedness; specialized hazard policies are unnecessary for typical properties.

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.