countyscore
47.7
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.

Score breakdown

Tax48.3Cost25.3Safety52.8Health52.5Schools52Income68.1Risk43.8Water86Weather47.7
🏛48.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠25.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼68.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡52.8
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤52.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓52
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡43.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤47.7
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨75.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱75
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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Nearby counties

DeKalb County
Missouri
55.9
Caldwell County
Missouri
64.7
Buchanan County
Missouri
31.1
Clay County
Missouri
45.5
Platte County
Missouri
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Ray County
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Daviess County
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Andrew County
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Deep Dives

Clinton County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

Cost of Living in Clinton County

via CostByCounty

Rent costs climb above national norm

Clinton County renters spend 16.7% of their income on housing, outpacing the national average by more than a full percentage point. While the county's median household income of $70,625 sits slightly below the nation's $74,755, monthly rent of $985 creates a tighter squeeze for renters here than in most U.S. counties.

Missouri's least affordable county

Clinton County has the highest rent-to-income ratio in Missouri at 16.7%, well above the state average of 15.6%. With median rent at $985 compared to Missouri's $768 statewide average, this county stands out as one of the state's most expensive places to rent.

Pricier than surrounding counties

Clinton County's median rent of $985 runs substantially higher than neighboring Cole County ($804), DeKalb County ($796), and Cooper County ($763). Only Crawford County comes close in overall affordability pressure, though Clinton's higher incomes make the rent burden relatively steeper here.

Housing eats 16.7% of income

The median household in Clinton County allocates $985 monthly to rent (or $1,155 for ownership), consuming 16.7% of the $70,625 annual income. Between rent, mortgage, and property costs, housing remains the largest fixed expense for most families here.

Consider the trade-offs carefully

If you're weighing a move to Clinton County, the higher rents demand higher income—the median here is competitive, but housing costs are above state norms. Compare your household budget against the $985 median rent and $1,155 median ownership costs to ensure affordability aligns with your situation.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Clinton County

via HealthByCounty

Clinton County lives longer than average

At 75.5 years, Clinton County residents live 1.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 73.7 years. Just 18.0% of residents report being in poor or fair health, outpacing the national rate of 19.3%. These gains reflect stronger-than-average health outcomes across the county.

Top health performer in Missouri

Clinton County ranks among Missouri's healthiest with a life expectancy 1.2 years above the state average of 74.3 years. The county's uninsured rate of 9.8% beats the state average of 12.5%, giving more residents access to regular care.

Solid health standing in central region

Clinton County's 75.5-year life expectancy trails Cole County's 77.1 years but exceeds Daviess County's 75.9 years and DeKalb County's 75.7 years. Primary care access at 61 providers per 100K is robust compared to nearby Crawford County's critical shortage of just 4 providers per 100K.

Good access, room to grow

With 61 primary care providers per 100K population, Clinton County offers solid preventive care access, though mental health services at 37 providers per 100K lag behind state needs. The 9.8% uninsured rate means about 1 in 10 residents lack coverage, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected health expenses.

Check your coverage options today

Nearly 1 in 10 Clinton County residents remain uninsured despite strong local healthcare infrastructure. Visit Healthcare.gov or your state marketplace to compare plans and find subsidies you may qualify for.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Clinton County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Small but Robust Education Network

Clinton County serves 3,796 students across 12 public schools, including five elementary, three middle, and four high schools. Four distinct school districts manage this infrastructure, providing a localized approach to education for the community.

Strong Graduation Rates Exceed State Benchmarks

The county boasts an impressive 94.5% graduation rate, significantly outperforming both the state average of 91.3% and the national average of 87%. While per-pupil expenditure of $6,257 sits slightly below the state average of $6,334, the county maintains a solid school score of 54.3.

Cameron R-I Leads the County

Cameron R-I is the largest district in the county, managing four schools and educating 1,651 students. There are currently no charter schools operating within the county, keeping all 3,796 students within traditional public district systems.

Rural Roots and Mid-Sized Classrooms

Education here is predominantly rural, with eight schools in rural settings and four in town locales. Cameron High is the largest facility with 500 students, while the average school size across the county remains intimate at 316 students.

Root Your Family in Clinton County

With graduation rates that lead the region, Clinton County is a compelling choice for families prioritizing academic success. Explore homes in the Cameron or Lathrop areas to secure a place in these high-performing school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clinton County

via RiskByCounty

Clinton County's Risk Profile

Clinton County scores 56.23 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting above Missouri's state average of 50.56. While this suggests elevated exposure compared to some peers, most hazards remain manageable with proper preparation.

Mid-Range Risk in Missouri

Clinton County ranks in the middle tier of Missouri's 114 counties for overall disaster risk. Its score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, but the county avoids the highest-risk categories found in more seismic or flood-prone regions.

Compared to Neighboring Counties

Clinton County's risk score of 56.23 exceeds Daviess County's 30.06 and Dallas County's 41.70, but trails Cole County's elevated 73.44. This positioning reflects Clinton's moderate tornado and wildfire exposure relative to immediate neighbors.

Tornado and Wildfire Top Threats

Tornado risk registers at 72.36—the county's strongest hazard—followed closely by wildfire risk at 66.25. Flood risk of 65.55 rounds out Clinton's primary concerns, with earthquake and hurricane threats remaining minimal.

Coverage for Tornado Country

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover tornado or flood damage, making separate windstorm and flood policies essential for Clinton County residents. Consider a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant or safe room retrofit to strengthen protection against the area's tornado exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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 47.7 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 $1,758, with an effective tax rate of 0.86%. This earns Clinton County a tax score of 48.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Clinton County?
The median household income in Clinton County, Missouri is $70,625 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Clinton County earns an income score of 68.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Clinton County, Missouri a good place to live?
Clinton County scores 47.7/100 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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