countyscore
44.1
County Score
Cost of Living 84.7Disaster Risk 76.7Property Tax 68.7

County Report Card

About Dade County, Missouri

Below the National Benchmark

Dade County earns a composite score of 44.1, which is roughly six points below the national median of 50.0. It offers a quiet lifestyle but scores lower on economic and health dimensions.

A Rural Missouri Profile

With a 44.1 score, Dade County falls below the Missouri average of 50.3. It reflects the common challenges of more remote rural areas where services and income levels are more limited.

Highly Affordable with Low Risk

Housing is incredibly affordable here, earning a cost score of 84.7 with a median rent of just $650. The county also stays safe from many environmental hazards, earning a risk score of 76.7.

Low Incomes and Critical Infrastructure

Income levels are a significant hurdle, with a score of 14.2 based on a median household income of $49,899. Low scores in health and safety also suggest limited local resources.

A Budget Paradise for Retirees

Dade County is perfect for those on a fixed income or retirees who want to minimize housing costs and environmental risks. It offers a very low cost of entry for homeowners at $157,200.

Score breakdown

Tax68.7Cost84.7Safety15.7Health24.6Schools22.4Income14.2Risk76.7Water39.7Weather57.1
🏛68.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡15.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤24.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓22.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡76.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧39.7
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤57.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨58.5
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱49.3
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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Nearby counties

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Missouri
45.6
Cedar County
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45.4
Barton County
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44.6
Jasper County
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Greene County
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Newton County
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Deep Dives

Dade County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Dade County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime rates align with national norms

Dade County reports a total crime rate of 2,329.6 per 100,000, nearly matching the national average of 2,385.5. Its safety score of 96.3 suggests a typical level of safety for a U.S. county. Residents experience a standard crime environment relative to the rest of the country.

Slightly below the Missouri average

The county’s safety score of 96.3 is just under the state average of 97.0. However, its crime rate of 2,329.6 is higher than the Missouri average of 1,926.2 per 100,000 people. This indicates Dade County has more reported incidents per capita than many other parts of Missouri.

Comparing Dade to regional neighbors

Dade County’s crime rate of 2,329.6 is significantly higher than Dallas County’s 1,119.1. It also exceeds the rate in Daviess County, which reports 1,081.0 per 100,000. These figures suggest a more active crime landscape than in the immediate surrounding regions.

High violent crime rate concerns

Violent crime in Dade County reaches 723.9 per 100,000, which is nearly double the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 1,605.7, which is actually lower than the national property crime rate. The data shows that while theft is less common, violent incidents are more frequent.

Enhancing personal and home security

With a elevated violent crime rate, personal safety awareness is just as important as home security. Installing high-quality deadbolts and a video doorbell can provide an extra layer of protection for your family. Staying alert in public spaces is a recommended precaution for residents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Dade County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Learning in a Small County

Dade County hosts 10 public schools across four districts, serving a small student body of 1,055. The infrastructure includes four elementary schools, four high schools, one middle school, and a dedicated special education facility.

Steady Academic Performance

The county's graduation rate of 86.2% sits just below the national average of 87% and the state average of 91.3%. Per-pupil spending is $6,060, keeping pace with the state average of $6,334 but remaining well below national benchmarks.

Lockwood R-I Leads Local Districts

Lockwood R-I is the largest district, though it serves only 297 students across three schools. Traditional public schools account for all education in the county, as there are no charter schools available to the 1,055 enrolled students.

Truly Rural Education

All 10 schools in Dade County are classified as rural, offering a uniquely quiet and focused learning environment. With an average school size of only 106 students, schools like Greenfield Elementary (206 students) feel substantial by local standards.

Discover Rural Excellence in Dade

Families seeking small class sizes and a true rural lifestyle will find Dade County's schools highly appealing. Look for homes in Lockwood or Greenfield to join these tight-knit educational communities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Dade County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer than the national median

Dade County’s annual average temperature of 56.3°F sits higher than the national median. This humid subtropical climate produces a warmer-than-average experience for the Central United States.

Exceeding Missouri’s average warmth

The county is noticeably warmer than the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. It records an additional 3.5 inches of annual precipitation compared to the state’s typical 43.8 inches.

A wetter climate than neighboring Dallas

With 47.3 inches of annual rain, Dade is significantly wetter than Dallas County to its east. It also experiences more extreme heat, logging 42 days above 90°F annually.

Steamy summers and moderate snow

July temperatures average a warm 78.7°F, fueling frequent heat waves. Winters bring a manageable 12.8 inches of snow and a January average of 32.5°F.

Prepare for heat and high humidity

Homeowners should invest in high-efficiency cooling systems to handle the 42 extreme heat days. Reliable rain gutters are essential to manage the heavy 47.3-inch annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dade County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Prairie Soils

Dade County soils average a pH of 5.79, making them notably more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This profile indicates a need for monitoring if you intend to grow crops that prefer more alkaline conditions.

Sandy and Silty Mix

The composition is 58.6% silt and 24.1% sand, which is a higher sand percentage than many neighboring counties. This 15.7% clay mix creates a soil that provides decent aeration for root systems.

Healthy Organic Levels

With 3.11% organic matter, Dade County sits well above the national 2.0% average. The available water capacity of 0.185 in/in matches the Missouri state average, providing a reliable baseline for crop hydration.

Variable Water Dynamics

Detailed drainage class and taxonomic data are limited for this county's broad profile. However, the sandy silt composition suggests that water moves relatively freely through the upper layers of the soil.

Southern Missouri Zone 7a

As one of the warmer spots in the state, Zone 7a allows for a longer growing season for peppers and okra. Use the county's solid organic matter to fuel a productive backyard vegetable patch.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dade County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Tough Lawn Conditions in Dade

Dade County presents a significant challenge for lawn enthusiasts with a difficulty score of 49.3, sitting just below the national average. It is the most difficult county in this group to maintain, largely due to its Zone 7a climate and specific soil traits. Homeowners here need a more disciplined approach to watering and soil care than the average Missouri resident.

Heavy Rainfall and Intense Summer Heat

The county receives 47.3 inches of rain annually, which is higher than the state average and helps offset the 42 extreme heat days. This combination leads to 4,225 growing degree days, fueling rapid grass growth that can quickly become unmanageable without frequent mowing. High humidity alongside this rain often creates a breeding ground for turf diseases.

Correcting Acidity in Sandy Soils

At a pH of 5.79, Dade County soil is notably acidic and will likely require lime applications to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. The soil contains 24.1% sand and 15.7% clay, which suggests it may drain quickly and lose nutrients if not managed properly. Adding organic matter can help improve the soil's structure and its ability to support a lush lawn.

Persistent Drought Demands Smart Watering

With 33 weeks of drought in the past year and nearly 20% of the county in severe drought, water conservation is a necessity. The entire county is currently abnormally dry, meaning lawns are likely under significant stress. Using rain barrels and drought-resistant grass varieties can help maintain curb appeal while adhering to water restrictions.

Warm-Season Grasses for a Zone 7a Climate

Because Dade County sits in Zone 7a and faces high heat, warm-season grasses like Zoysia or Bermuda are excellent, durable options. If you prefer cool-season grass, ensure you use a heat-tolerant Tall Fescue blend. Seeding should occur between the April 11 and October 25 frost dates to maximize the long growing season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dade County's county score?
Dade County, Missouri has a composite county score of 44.1 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 Dade County rank among counties in Missouri?
Dade County ranks #86 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 Dade County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Dade County is $1,022, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Dade County a tax score of 68.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dade County?
The median household income in Dade County, Missouri is $49,899 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dade County earns an income score of 14.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dade County, Missouri a good place to live?
Dade County scores 44.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #86 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Dade 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 Dade County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

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