CountyScore

Dade County

Missouri · MO

#24 in Missouri
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Dade County, Missouri

Dade County Ranks in National Elite

Dade County's composite score of 77.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50, placing it in the 77th percentile of all U.S. counties. It ranks among the most livable counties nationwide on measured factors.

One of Missouri's Best

Dade County scores 77.0, well above Missouri's state average of 74.8, making it one of the state's top-ranked counties for overall livability. It stands in the upper echelon of Missouri's livable communities.

Most Affordable Rent and Housing Costs

Dade County features the highest cost score (87.0) in this group with the lowest median rent at $650/month and a median home value of $157,200. The tax score of 84.0 with a 0.650% effective rate adds substantial financial savings for residents.

Income Levels Trail Affordability

The income score of 16.0 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income at just $49,899, meaning residents must live frugally despite housing advantages. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.

Ideal for Low-Income Savers

Dade County is perfect for retirees, Social Security recipients, and those with modest fixed incomes seeking maximum purchasing power. If you can live on limited earnings and prioritize rock-bottom housing costs, this county offers unmatched affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84Cost87SafetyComing SoonHealth59.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16Risk76.7WaterComing Soon
🏛84
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.7
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 Dade County with another county →

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White County
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Kossuth County
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Deep Dives

Dade County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dade County

via TaxByCounty

Dade County Taxes Below National Median

With a 0.650% effective tax rate, Dade County sits comfortably below the national median and ranks among the most affordable property tax counties nationwide. This low rate means residents keep more of their property wealth without heavy annual tax burdens.

Lower Than Missouri Average

Dade County's 0.650% rate falls below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it among the state's more tax-friendly counties. At $1,022 annually, the median property tax is 15% below the state median, offering meaningful savings.

Competitive Tax Rates Locally

Dade County (0.650%) edges out several neighbors including DeKalb County (0.758%) and Cooper County (0.676%), though Dallas County (0.480%) remains the region's lowest-tax option. For most residents in the area, Dade represents a solid value proposition on property taxes.

Annual Tax on Median Dade Home

On Dade County's median home value of $157,200, homeowners pay approximately $1,022 per year in property taxes—roughly $85 monthly. This affordability reflects Dade's position as a budget-conscious county for property owners.

Review Your Assessment Regularly

Even low-tax counties can have inaccurate assessments that lead to years of overpayment if left unchallenged. Dade County homeowners should periodically verify their assessed values align with comparable local properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dade County

via CostByCounty

Lowest incomes, affordable rents

Dade County's median household income of $49,899 is among the nation's lowest, yet renters spend just 15.6% on housing—matching the national ratio and beating Missouri's average of 15.6%. The median rent of $650 reflects the county's rural character and economic challenges, though affordability is surprisingly stable.

Lowest income, balanced ratio

Dade County has Missouri's lowest median household income among these eight counties at $49,899, but its 15.6% rent-to-income ratio meets the state average exactly. The median rent of $650 ranks among the state's cheapest, offsetting the county's income disadvantage.

Cheapest rents in the region

Dade County's median rent of $650 is the lowest among all eight counties studied, undercutting Dallas County ($685), Daviess County ($731), and all others. However, the county's median income of $49,899 is also the lowest regionally, making the low rents a reflection of economic conditions rather than housing value.

15.6% of income to rent

Households in Dade County earn a median of $49,899 annually and allocate roughly $650 monthly to rent or $651 for ownership, consuming 15.6% of gross income. The near-parity between rent and ownership costs reflects the county's modest home values of $157,200.

Lowest cost, but lowest incomes

Dade County offers the region's cheapest housing, but prospective residents should understand this reflects limited employment opportunities and lower wages statewide. If stable, above-average income is achievable in your field, Dade's low costs could stretch your budget far; otherwise, consider counties with stronger job markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dade County

via IncomeByCounty

Dade County faces steep national income gap

Dade County's median household income of $49,899 sits 33.3% below the national median of $74,755, one of the steepest shortfalls among surveyed counties. This gap reflects structural economic challenges including limited employment diversity and wage stagnation.

Among Missouri's lowest earners

Dade County's median income of $49,899 falls 16.1% below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the state's most economically stressed tier. This $9,604 gap signals urgent need for job creation and workforce development.

Struggling relative to peers

Dade County ($49,899) ranks among the lowest-earning counties surveyed, exceeding only Dallas County ($53,177) and trailing Crawford County ($56,345) significantly. This positioning reflects limited economic opportunity relative to more prosperous neighboring regions.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Dade County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% sits just above the 15% affordability threshold, leaving little financial margin for other expenses. The median home value of $157,200 represents over three times the median household income, making homeownership challenging for typical families.

Focus on income growth and resilience

Dade County residents should prioritize building skills for higher-wage employment while maintaining a dedicated emergency fund of at least $500. Explore low-cost or free training programs through local workforce boards, and consider side income opportunities to accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Dade County

via HealthByCounty

Dade County trails U.S. health averages

Dade County residents live to 73.1 years on average, falling 0.6 years short of the U.S. life expectancy of 73.7 years. With 22.6% reporting poor or fair health versus the national rate of 19.3%, the county faces above-average chronic disease burden.

Below-average health for Missouri

At 73.1 years, Dade County's life expectancy is 1.2 years below Missouri's 74.3-year average, placing it among the state's lower-performing counties. The uninsured rate of 13.8% exceeds Missouri's 12.5% average, further limiting residents' access to preventive care.

Modest providers, significant uninsurance

Dade County's 73.1-year life expectancy lags Clinton County's 75.5 and Cole County's 77.1 years, though it slightly exceeds Dallas County's 72.3 years. The 66 primary care providers per 100K offer reasonable access, but the 13.8% uninsured rate means many residents cannot utilize available services.

Coverage gaps limit provider access

Despite having 66 primary care providers per 100K—solid by regional standards—Dade County's 13.8% uninsured rate leaves nearly 1 in 7 residents without routine healthcare access. The 65 mental health providers per 100K are adequate, but financial barriers prevent many from reaching them.

Bridge the coverage gap today

Dade County has good healthcare infrastructure, but nearly 14% of residents can't afford to use it due to lack of insurance. Healthcare.gov can connect you with affordable plans designed to fit working families and individuals earning modest incomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dade County

via RiskByCounty

Dade County Among America's Safest

Dade County scores 23.28 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and falling well below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This position places the county in the lowest-risk tier for natural disasters nationally.

Low-Risk Profile Statewide

Dade County ranks among Missouri's safest counties, with minimal multi-hazard exposure. The score of 23.28 reflects one of the state's most favorable natural disaster environments.

Safest of Its Peer Group

Dade County's 23.28 score falls notably below Dallas County (41.70), Crawford County (54.99), and Cole County (73.44). Only nearby DeKalb County (16.03) edges out Dade for lowest overall risk in the immediate region.

Minimal Hazard Exposure

Tornado risk of 45.71 represents Dade's most notable concern, though it remains well below the state average. Flood, earthquake, wildfire, and hurricane risks all register below 45, indicating low practical threat levels.

Basic Coverage Adequate

Standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for Dade County's low-risk profile. Verify flood coverage if your property sits in a mapped floodplain, but specialized windstorm or earthquake policies are generally unnecessary.

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.