countyscore
54.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 83.4Income & Jobs 72.9

County Report Card

About Cole County, Missouri

Outperforming the National Median

Cole County stands strong with a composite score of 54.8, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high standard of living for residents in the state's central region.

A Leader in Central Missouri

With a 54.8 composite score, Cole County significantly outpaces the Missouri state average of 50.3. It serves as an economic anchor for the region, offering a better quality of life than many surrounding rural areas.

Exceptional Safety and Strong Incomes

Safety is a hallmark of this county, which earns a high score of 83.4. Economic health is also robust, evidenced by a median household income of $73,273 and an income score of 74.5.

Struggling Schools and Environmental Risks

The county faces significant hurdles in education with a school score of just 9.0. Residents also contend with a risk score of 26.6, indicating higher susceptibility to environmental stressors.

Perfect for Safety-Conscious Professionals

Cole County is an excellent fit for government workers and professionals seeking high safety and strong pay. It offers a secure environment, though families may want to look closer at specific local school options.

2040608010053.346.883.467.4972.926.68656.6Tax53.3Cost46.8Safety83.4Health67.4Schools9Income72.9Risk26.6Water86Weather56.654.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

Cole County DNA

Foverall

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

Cole County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (83.4/100) but notably weak in Schools (9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
53.3
Cost
46.8
Safety
83.4+28.400000000000006
Health
67.4+17.400000000000006
Schools
9-45
Income
72.9+21.900000000000006
Risk
26.6-20.4
Water
86+28
Weather
56.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$229,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$834/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$229,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $74,876/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.7

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
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Noble County
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Franklin Parish
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Simpson County
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Henry County
Tennessee
Median income: $50,613
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Nearby counties

Osage County
Missouri
68.2
Miller County
Missouri
54.1
Moniteau County
Missouri
60.8
Callaway County
Missouri
39.9
Maries County
Missouri
63.5
Boone County
Missouri
39.7
Morgan County
Missouri
54.3
Camden County
Missouri
48.9

Deep Dives

Cole County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cole County

via TaxByCounty

Cole County Taxes Above U.S. Median

At 0.806%, Cole County's effective tax rate is significantly higher than the national median, where homeowners typically pay $2,690 annually. This places Cole County well above most U.S. counties, making property taxes a more substantial expense for local residents.

Missouri's Higher-Tax Counties

Cole County's effective rate of 0.806% exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733%, positioning it firmly in the upper tier of Missouri counties. The median tax of $1,728 runs 44% above the state median of $1,199, reflecting elevated tax pressure.

Comparable to Clinton, Higher Than Others

Cole County (0.806%) closely mirrors Clinton County (0.861%) but substantially outpaces neighboring Cooper County (0.676%) and Crawford County (0.609%). In the regional context, Cole maintains a relatively high-tax profile.

Annual Tax Bill on Median Home

On a median home valued at $214,400, Cole County homeowners pay approximately $1,728 per year in property taxes—roughly $144 monthly. This cost climbs to $1,713 for homeowners with mortgages, creating a steady annual burden.

Assessment Appeals Can Reduce Your Tax

Many Cole County property owners overpay due to inflated assessed values that don't reflect current market conditions. Filing a tax appeal to challenge your assessment could potentially lower your annual bill and recover overpayments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cole County

via IncomeByCounty

Cole County nearly matches U.S. earnings

Cole County's median household income of $73,273 trails the national median of $74,755 by just $1,482, placing it squarely in the national mainstream. This near-parity reflects a healthy, competitive regional economy.

Missouri's income leader in this region

Cole County's median income of $73,273 surpasses Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 23.2%, making it one of the state's strongest-earning counties. This $13,770 edge signals robust employment and economic opportunity.

Cole County tops regional competition

Cole County ($73,273) leads Clinton County ($70,625) and DeKalb County ($69,093), establishing itself as the income powerhouse of central Missouri. This regional leadership reflects a diversified economy and stable employment base.

Rental costs are very manageable

Cole County's rent-to-income ratio of just 13.2% is well below the 15% affordability benchmark, giving renters substantial financial breathing room. With a median home value of $214,400, homeownership remains within reach for typical households.

Strong income supports long-term planning

Cole County residents enjoy one of Missouri's best platforms for wealth building, with the financial capacity to invest aggressively in retirement and education. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize tax-advantaged accounts and diversify investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cole County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional safety standards in Cole County

Cole County boasts an elite safety score of 99.4, placing it among the safest regions in the country. Its total crime rate of 390.1 per 100,000 residents is a fraction of the national average of 2,385.5. This data indicates a remarkably secure environment for all inhabitants.

A top-tier safety performer in Missouri

Cole County significantly outpaces the Missouri average safety score of 97.0 with its 99.4 rating. Its crime rate is nearly five times lower than the state average of 1,926.2 per 100,000. These numbers represent some of the strongest safety metrics in the state.

Cole County leads neighboring areas

The county's crime rate of 390.1 is substantially lower than DeKalb County's rate of 523.7. It also maintains a much safer profile than Cooper County, which sits at 1,361.5. Among its regional peers, Cole County stands out as a beacon of public safety.

Minimal violent and property crime rates

Violent crime is extremely rare here, with only 81.9 incidents reported per 100,000 people. Property crime is also low at 308.2, which is significantly better than the national property crime rate of 2,015.7. Residents live with very low statistical risk for most crime categories.

Maintaining a secure home environment

Even with elite safety scores, basic home security remains a wise investment for long-term peace of mind. Consider visible security cameras to discourage the small number of property crimes that occur. Community vigilance helps keep these impressive numbers stable year after year.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cole County

via WeatherByCounty

Balanced mid-continent temperatures

Cole County averages 55.4°F, placing it slightly above the national median for temperature. Its central location creates a balanced humid subtropical climate.

Warmer than the state average

It is half a degree warmer than the Missouri average of 54.9°F. This makes the state capital region slightly toastier than its northern neighbors.

Consistent central Missouri rain

With 43.6 inches of rain, Cole nearly mirrors the Missouri state average of 43.8 inches. Its 8.9 inches of snow is lower than the totals in Chariton or Clay.

Moderate winters and humid summers

The county sees 37 days of extreme heat and a July average of 78.3°F. Winters are moderate, with the December through February average holding at 33.4°F.

Ready for rain and heat

Balance HVAC systems for 37 days of extreme heat and nearly 9 inches of snow. Consistent 43.6 inches of rain requires well-maintained gutters and yard drainage.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cole County

via SoilByCounty

Balanced pH and Alfisols

Cole County soils belong to the Alfisols order and maintain a pH of 6.37, which is very close to the national median of 6.5. This pH level is more favorable for nutrient uptake than the state average of 6.09.

Silty Texture for Smooth Farming

A high silt content of 62.7% combined with 17.8% sand creates a silt loam that is easy to work. The 18.3% clay helps retain essential nutrients without making the soil too heavy or difficult to drain.

Resilient Water Storage

The soil features 2.23% organic matter, slightly above the national average of 2.0%. With an available water capacity of 0.192 in/in, the land holds more moisture than the state average of 0.183 in/in.

Naturally Well Drained

This county benefits from a well-drained classification and belongs to hydrologic group C. These characteristics make it excellent for diverse agriculture and stable building foundations where water management is key.

Versatile Growth in Zone 6b

The 6b hardiness zone and a soil score of 66.5 support a wide range of vegetables and orchard fruits. Start your garden today with confidence, as these soils provide better-than-average stability for Missouri growers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cole County

via LawnByCounty

Solid Conditions for Cole County Lawns

With a lawn difficulty score of 65.8, Cole County is slightly easier to manage than the Missouri state average of 63.7. The region sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, providing a stable environment for various grass types. This score places the county well above the national median difficulty of 50.0.

Consistent Rain and Significant Heat

Cole County receives 43.6 inches of annual precipitation, which is nearly identical to the state average and perfect for lawn health. However, the 37 extreme heat days and 4,107 growing degree days mean lawns require heavy irrigation during the peak of July. Mowing frequency increases in spring but must slow down during high-heat periods to prevent turf stress.

Well-Drained Silt Loam for Healthy Roots

The local soil is a well-drained silt loam with a healthy pH of 6.37, requiring minimal lime adjustments for most grass types. It contains an even balance of 18.3% clay and 17.8% sand, promoting both nutrient retention and efficient drainage. This combination creates an ideal foundation that supports deep, drought-resistant root growth.

Navigating Significant Drought Challenges

The county has spent 26 weeks in drought over the last year, and 100% of the area currently remains abnormally dry. To combat this, homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering to encourage roots to search for deeper moisture. Currently, there are no severe drought conditions (D2+), making this a great time for preventative water conservation.

Planting for Success in Central Missouri

Tall Fescue is the recommended variety for Zone 6b, offering the best resistance to the 37 annual extreme heat days. With the first fall frost typically arriving around October 31, late August is the prime window for seeding. This schedule gives your new lawn about two months to mature before the winter dormancy begins.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cole County's county score?
Cole County, Missouri has a composite county score of 54.5 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 Cole County rank among counties in Missouri?
Cole County ranks #42 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 Cole County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Cole County is $1,769, with an effective tax rate of 0.77%. This earns Cole County a tax score of 53.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cole County?
The median household income in Cole County, Missouri is $74,876 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cole County earns an income score of 72.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cole County, Missouri a good place to live?
Cole County scores 54.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #42 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Cole 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 Cole 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.