countyscore
47.8
County Score
Water Quality 86Soil Quality 75.8Lawn Care 75

County Report Card

About Clinton County, Missouri

Slightly Below the National Median

Clinton County earns a composite score of 47.7, placing it just under the national median of 50.0. This score indicates that the county performs moderately well across our standard metrics for liveability and economic health.

Competitive Within the Show Me State

While its 47.7 score falls slightly behind the Missouri state average of 50.3, Clinton County remains a solid middle-of-the-pack contender. It maintains stable rankings compared to more urban neighbors near Kansas City.

High Incomes and Clean Water

The county boasts an impressive income score of 68.1, driven by a median household income of $70,625. Residents also enjoy exceptional water quality, which earns a stellar score of 86.0.

Housing Affordability and Climate Risk

A low cost score of 25.3 reflects high local housing costs, including a median home value of $204,300. Additionally, the risk score of 43.8 suggests that the area faces more environmental hazards than neighboring counties.

A Haven for Higher-Earning Commuters

This county suits professional families who value clean water and high household incomes. It is an ideal spot for those willing to trade higher housing costs for a stable economic environment.

2040608010049.326.152.852.55263.443.88647.7Tax49.3Cost26.1Safety52.8Health52.5Schools52Income63.4Risk43.8Water86Weather47.747.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average1 below average

Clinton County DNA

Foverall

How Clinton County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Clinton County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (26.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
49.3
Cost
26.1-21.9
Safety
52.8
Health
52.5
Schools
52
Income
63.4+12.399999999999999
Risk
43.8
Water
86+28
Weather
47.7-8.299999999999997
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Clinton County

Whether buying or refinancing in Clinton County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$226,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,008/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$226,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $70,627/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

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 Clinton County with Kodiak Island Borough →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Kodiak Island Borough
Alaska
Median income: $86,250
47.8
Cleburne County
Arkansas
Median income: $55,798
47.8
Jasper County
Georgia
Median income: $60,134
47.8
Oceana County
Michigan
Median income: $62,417
47.8
Ocean County
New Jersey
Median income: $89,863
47.8
Madison County
New York
Median income: $75,499
47.8
Nash County
North Carolina
Median income: $62,426
47.8
Perquimans County
North Carolina
Median income: $67,917
47.8

Nearby counties

DeKalb County
Missouri
55.2
Caldwell County
Missouri
64.5
Buchanan County
Missouri
31.7
Clay County
Missouri
45.6
Platte County
Missouri
44.7
Ray County
Missouri
43.2
Daviess County
Missouri
55.1
Andrew County
Missouri
53.5

Deep Dives

Clinton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Clinton County

via TaxByCounty

Clinton County Taxes Run High Nationally

With an effective tax rate of 0.861%, Clinton County residents pay substantially more than the U.S. median, where homeowners typically pay about $2,690 annually on a median home valued near $282,000. Clinton's rate puts it in the top tier nationally, meaning property taxes here are notably steeper than most American neighborhoods.

Above Average for Missouri

Clinton County's 0.861% effective rate exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733%, ranking it among the higher-tax counties statewide. The median tax bill of $1,758 is 47% above the state median of $1,199, reflecting one of the steeper tax burdens in Missouri.

Higher Than Most Regional Peers

Clinton County's rate significantly outpaces neighboring Cooper County (0.676%) and Crawford County (0.609%), though it's comparable to Cole County (0.806%). Among the broader region, Clinton stands out as a higher-tax jurisdiction, particularly for families in the mid-range home value bracket.

What Your Annual Tax Bill Looks Like

On Clinton County's median home value of $204,300, homeowners pay roughly $1,758 annually in property taxes—about $147 per month. With mortgage, the effective bill rises slightly to $1,776, representing a meaningful ongoing cost for local property owners.

Your Property Might Be Overassessed

Many homeowners across Missouri discover their properties are valued higher than market reality, leading to inflated tax bills. If you believe your Clinton County home is overassessed, you have the right to appeal your valuation and potentially recover thousands in overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clinton County

via IncomeByCounty

Clinton County earns above the U.S. median

Clinton County's median household income of $70,625 sits just 5.5% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. This performance reflects a strong local economy relative to most American counties.

Thriving compared to Missouri peers

At $70,625, Clinton County's median household income exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 18.6%, ranking it among the state's more prosperous counties. This $11,122 advantage signals stronger earning potential and economic stability for local households.

Clinton leads nearby counties

Clinton County ($70,625) outearns most neighboring counties, including DeKalb County ($69,093) and Cole County ($73,273), though Cole remains slightly ahead regionally. This modest lead reflects Clinton's competitive position in the central Missouri economy.

Housing is affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.7%, Clinton County residents spend a healthy amount on rental costs relative to earnings—near the ideal 15% threshold. The median home value of $204,300 aligns well with local incomes, making homeownership achievable for working families.

Build savings and invest locally

Clinton County's above-average incomes create opportunity for residents to allocate 15–20% of earnings toward retirement accounts, education savings, or investment portfolios. Starting early with automatic transfers to savings and exploring employer-sponsored retirement plans can help local households build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Clinton County

via CrimeByCounty

Clinton County stays safer than national averages

The county reports a total crime rate of 1,063.6 per 100,000 residents, which sits well below the national rate of 2,385.5. This performance earns Clinton County an impressive safety score of 98.3 out of 100. Residents experience a significantly lower crime environment than the typical American community.

Beating the Missouri safety average

Clinton County maintains a safety score of 98.3, outperforming the Missouri state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate is also much lower than the statewide average of 1,926.2 per 100,000 people. This makes the county one of the more secure regions in the state.

Low crime rates compared to neighbors

With a crime rate of 1,063.6, Clinton County is safer than nearby Dallas County, which reports 1,119.1 incidents per 100,000 people. It also maintains a lower crime profile than Cooper County's 1,361.5 rate. These figures highlight Clinton County as a regional leader in public safety.

Property crime drives local statistics

Property crime accounts for 926.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, while violent crime remains low at 137.1. Most reported incidents involve theft rather than physical confrontations. This ratio mirrors broader national trends where non-violent offenses are more common.

Securing your Clinton County residence

While rates are low, property crime still represents the vast majority of local law enforcement activity. Installing smart locks and motion-sensor lighting can deter opportunistic theft. Simple precautions help maintain the high safety standards the county currently enjoys.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Clinton County

via SoilByCounty

Prime Productive Silt Loams

Clinton County features productive Alfisols and a silt loam texture that supports a high soil score of 75.8. Its average pH of 6.32 sits just below the national median of 6.5 but remains significantly higher than the Missouri average of 6.09.

High Silt and Clay Balance

The soil consists of 59.7% silt and 26.5% clay, providing a heavy structure with excellent nutrient capacity. With only 13.8% sand, this mix requires careful timing for tilling but offers superior workability once prepared.

Strong Organic Foundation

The county boasts 3.07% organic matter, outperforming the national average of 2.0%. Its available water capacity of 0.204 in/in stays above the state benchmark of 0.183, ensuring crops have reliable access to moisture during dry spells.

Steady Moisture Retention

Classified as moderately well drained, these soils fall into hydrologic group D, indicating a slower rate of water transmission. This profile suggests that local growers should plan for managed runoff during heavy Missouri rainfalls.

A Gardeners Haven in Zone 6a

Located in hardiness zone 6a, this county is ideal for growing hearty staples like sweet corn and tomatoes. The robust soil score of 75.8 provides an excellent foundation for any home gardener or commercial producer to thrive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Clinton County

via LawnByCounty

Above-Average Lawn Success in Clinton County

Clinton County earns a high lawn difficulty score of 75.0, making it significantly easier to maintain than the national median of 50.0. Situated in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, homeowners here enjoy more favorable conditions than the state average score of 63.7. This high rating suggests a climate and soil combination well-suited for resilient turf.

Regional Weather Patterns Support Steady Growth

While specific local temperature and precipitation records are limited for the county, the surrounding region averages 43.7 inches of rain per year. This falls squarely within the ideal range of 30 to 50 inches for healthy lawn development. Residents should monitor local conditions as these factors directly influence mowing schedules and seasonal hydration needs.

Favorable Silt Loam Soil Foundation

The county features silt loam soil with a pH of 6.32, which is nearly perfect for standard Missouri turfgrasses. With a 26.5% clay content, the ground holds moisture effectively while the moderately well-drained classification prevents root rot. The balance of 13.8% sand ensures adequate aeration for deep root systems.

Managing Moderate Seasonal Dry Spells

Clinton County faced 17 weeks of drought over the past year, with 87% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. Because severe drought remains at 0%, lawns are generally resilient but require early-morning watering to maintain green color. Proper mulching and keeping grass at a taller height can help preserve soil moisture during these dry periods.

Start Your Zone 6a Lawn Today

Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue are excellent choices for this climate and soil profile. For the best results, aim to seed or sod in the early fall once high summer temperatures break. This timing allows roots to establish before the first frost, ensuring a lush and durable lawn by spring.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clinton County's county score?
Clinton County, Missouri has a composite county score of 47.8 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 Clinton County rank among counties in Missouri?
Clinton County ranks #69 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 Clinton County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Clinton County is $1,845, with an effective tax rate of 0.81%. This earns Clinton County a tax score of 49.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clinton County?
The median household income in Clinton County, Missouri is $70,627 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clinton County earns an income score of 63.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clinton County, Missouri a good place to live?
Clinton County scores 47.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #69 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Clinton 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 Clinton County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.