CountyScore

Crawford County

Missouri · MO

#85 in Missouri
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Crawford County, Missouri

Crawford County Outpaces U.S. Average

Crawford County's composite score of 75.8 places it well above the national median of 50, ranking in the 76th percentile of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates solid livability across multiple measured dimensions.

Leading Missouri's County Pack

Crawford County scores 75.8, exceeding Missouri's average of 74.8 to rank among the state's top-performing counties. It's among the most livable in Missouri based on available metrics.

Exceptional Tax and Housing Values

Crawford County leads with a tax score of 85.1 (lowest effective rate at 0.609%) and cost score of 82.7, with median rent at just $807 and home values near $166,000. These figures represent some of the most affordable living conditions in the region.

Low Incomes Offset Cost Benefits

The income score of 20.2 is the lowest in this group, with median household income at $56,345, meaning residents must carefully budget despite low housing costs. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data gaps leave other livability factors unmeasured.

Best for Frugal, Retired Households

Crawford County suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers, and those who can live lean in exchange for minimal tax burden. If you prioritize stretching limited dollars and don't need high local wages, this county offers remarkable value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.1Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth55.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.2Risk45WaterComing Soon
🏛85.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45
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 Crawford County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Crawford County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Crawford County

via TaxByCounty

Crawford County Offers Tax Relief

Crawford County's 0.609% effective tax rate is significantly lower than the U.S. median, placing it among the nation's more affordable property tax jurisdictions. Homeowners here enjoy one of the lighter tax burdens when compared to typical American counties.

Below-Average Taxes for Missouri

At 0.609%, Crawford County's effective rate is well below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's lower-tax counties. The median tax of $1,011 is 16% below the state median of $1,199, offering genuine relief for property owners.

Second-Most Affordable in Region

Crawford County (0.609%) is outpaced only by Dallas County (0.480%) in the surrounding area, significantly undercutting Cooper County (0.676%), Dade County (0.650%), and DeKalb County (0.758%). For families seeking lower property taxes, Crawford ranks among the region's best options.

What You'll Pay on a Median Home

On Crawford County's median home value of $166,000, homeowners pay roughly $1,011 annually in property taxes—approximately $84 per month. This modest bill reflects Crawford's tax-friendly environment compared to neighboring counties.

Still Worth Verifying Your Assessment

Low tax rates don't guarantee accurate assessments, and overvalued properties can still mean unnecessary payments. Crawford County residents should confirm their assessed values align with recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Crawford County

via CostByCounty

Tight squeeze despite low rents

Crawford County has the highest rent-to-income ratio among the eight counties studied at 17.2%, driven by a median household income of just $56,345—substantially below the national average of $74,755. Even though median rent is a modest $807, the county's lower incomes make housing costs proportionally burdensome.

Second-highest burden in state

Crawford County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Missouri's worst affordability outcomes, trailing only Clinton County's 16.7%. The county's median rent of $807 exceeds the state average of $768, while its median income of $56,345 falls well below state norms.

Lower rent, lower income

Crawford County's median rent of $807 falls between Cole County ($804) and Daviess County ($731), but its 17.2% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the region due to significantly lower median incomes. The county's income disadvantage outweighs its rent advantage when measuring true affordability.

Housing consumes 17.2% of income

Crawford County households earn a median of $56,345 annually and spend $807 monthly on rent or $740 for ownership, consuming 17.2% of gross income. This housing burden is among the highest in Missouri and leaves less room for other necessities and savings.

Budget carefully before relocating

Prospective residents should note that while Crawford County offers lower absolute rent prices ($807), the median income here is substantially below state and national averages. Ensure your household income can comfortably cover the 17.2% housing ratio before making the move.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Crawford County

via IncomeByCounty

Crawford County faces significant income gap

Crawford County's median household income of $56,345 falls 24.6% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting economic challenges common to rural Missouri. This gap signals limited job diversity and wage growth relative to national trends.

Below Missouri average earnings

Crawford County's median income of $56,345 lags Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 5.3%, placing it in the state's lower-earning tier. This $3,158 shortfall indicates local economic headwinds requiring targeted job creation.

Trails most nearby counties

Crawford County ($56,345) ranks below Cooper County ($67,548), Daviess County ($60,665), and DeKalb County ($69,093), though it exceeds Dade County ($49,899) and Dallas County ($53,177). This positioning reflects Crawford's struggle relative to more prosperous regional peers.

Housing costs stretch budgets

Crawford County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% exceeds the 15% affordability guideline, meaning renters spend a higher-than-ideal share of earnings on housing. The median home value of $166,000 requires careful financial planning for purchase-ready families.

Start small, build consistent habits

Crawford County residents should prioritize emergency savings of at least $1,000 before investing, then gradually build to three months of expenses. Seek free financial literacy programs through local nonprofits and use low-cost, automated investing tools to start building wealth despite modest current income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Crawford County

via HealthByCounty

Crawford County faces severe health crisis

At 70.8 years, Crawford County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 73.7 years by 2.9 years, marking a significant public health challenge. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (23.5%) report poor or fair health, substantially exceeding the national rate of 19.3%.

Lowest life expectancy in Missouri

Crawford County ranks as the lowest-performing county in this analysis, with life expectancy 3.5 years below Missouri's 74.3-year average. The 15.2% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 12.5%, leaving more residents vulnerable and unable to access care.

Stark health disparities with peers

Crawford County's 70.8-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than Clinton County's 75.5 and Cole County's 77.1 years—a gap of 6-7 years that signals a health emergency. With only 4 primary care providers per 100K, the county has virtually no preventive care infrastructure compared to Cooper County's 23.

Healthcare desert with rising costs

Crawford County is a healthcare desert with just 4 primary care providers per 100K—representing a critical shortage that forces residents to travel far for basic care. High uninsurance at 15.2% combined with minimal provider access creates a deadly combination: people without coverage and nowhere to turn when sick.

Healthcare access starts with coverage

Crawford County's severe provider shortage makes insurance essential when you need to travel for care. Visit Healthcare.gov immediately to secure coverage and reduce the financial burden of accessing healthcare outside your community.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Crawford County

via RiskByCounty

Crawford County's Moderate Risk

Crawford County scores 54.99 on the composite risk scale, rated Relatively Low and slightly above Missouri's state average of 50.56. This profile reflects meaningful exposure to some hazards, tempered by manageable risk in others.

Mid-Range Risk Across Missouri

Crawford County ranks in the middle-to-upper tier of Missouri's 114 counties, driven primarily by exceptional earthquake risk of 78.88. This seismic exposure is unusual for Missouri and reflects the county's geologic setting.

Higher Earthquake Risk Than Nearby Areas

Crawford County's earthquake risk of 78.88 far exceeds that of Cooper County (47.81), Daviess County (23.03), and Dallas County (59.10). Its composite score of 54.99 positions it between lower-risk Daviess (30.06) and higher-risk Cole (73.44).

Earthquake Is Unique Threat

Earthquake risk of 78.88 dominates Crawford County's hazard profile—substantially higher than flood (47.58), tornado (52.89), and wildfire (53.59) risks. This unusual seismic exposure sets Crawford apart from most other Missouri counties.

Earthquake Insurance a Must

Crawford County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance, a coverage type rarely necessary elsewhere in Missouri but vital here. Secure heavy furniture and appliances, reinforce chimney connections, and ensure your home's foundation can handle seismic stress.

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.