countyscore
55.1
County Score
Lawn Care 83.9Cost of Living 79.3Soil Quality 76

County Report Card

About Daviess County, Missouri

Solid Performance Above the Median

Daviess County earns a composite score of 53.5, placing it above the national median of 50.0. It offers a balanced profile that combines affordability with environmental resilience.

Surpassing the Missouri Average

The county's 53.5 composite score beats the state average of 50.3. It serves as a reliable option for Missourians seeking a more affordable rural lifestyle without sacrificing stability.

Affordable Housing and Safe Environment

With a cost score of 74.6, the county offers affordable housing where the median rent is $731. It also scores a high 70.0 for environmental risk, indicating it is safe from many natural disasters.

Health and Water Infrastructure

Healthcare access is a notable challenge with a health score of 31.6. Water quality and infrastructure also show room for improvement, as evidenced by a water score of 44.7.

Ideal for Young Rural Families

Daviess County is well-suited for families seeking their first home in a stable, low-risk environment. The median home value of $149,200 makes it one of the more accessible markets in the region.

204060801006579.351.831.643.745.67044.748.8Tax65Cost79.3Safety51.8Health31.6Schools43.7Income45.6Risk70Water44.7Weather48.855.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Daviess County DNA

Foverall

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

Daviess County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (79.3/100) but notably weak in Health (31.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
65+13
Cost
79.3+31.299999999999997
Safety
51.8
Health
31.6-18.4
Schools
43.7-10.299999999999997
Income
45.6
Risk
70+23
Water
44.7-13.299999999999997
Weather
48.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Daviess County?

Many homeowners in Daviess County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$696/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,984/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.8

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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Nearby counties

DeKalb County
Missouri
55.2
Caldwell County
Missouri
64.5
Gentry County
Missouri
57.8
Grundy County
Missouri
50.5
Harrison County
Missouri
48.9
Livingston County
Missouri
53.4
Clinton County
Missouri
47.8
Mercer County
Missouri
62.5

Deep Dives

Daviess County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Daviess County

via TaxByCounty

Daviess County Taxes Below National Rates

With a 0.708% effective tax rate, Daviess County sits below the national median and ranks among more affordable property tax jurisdictions nationwide. This moderate rate means residents shoulder less tax burden than most U.S. homeowners.

Near Missouri's State Average

Daviess County's 0.708% rate closely aligns with Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's tax landscape. The median tax of $1,057 is 12% below the state median of $1,199, reflecting reasonable tax burden.

Mid-Range Taxes for the Area

Daviess County (0.708%) ranks higher than Dallas County (0.480%), Crawford County (0.609%), and Dade County (0.650%), but lower than DeKalb County (0.758%), Cooper County (0.676%), and Cole County (0.806%). It represents a balanced tax position within its region.

What You Pay on Median Home Value

On Daviess County's median home value of $149,200, homeowners pay approximately $1,057 per year in property taxes—about $88 monthly. This moderate bill sits below the state average, offering reasonable affordability.

Overassessment Could Cost You Thousands

If your Daviess County property is valued higher than comparable homes sold recently, you may be overpaying your taxes significantly. Filing an appeal to challenge your assessment could recover years of excess tax payments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Daviess County

via IncomeByCounty

Daviess County moderately below national income

Daviess County's median household income of $60,665 trails the national median of $74,755 by 18.8%, placing it among lower-earning counties nationwide. Despite this gap, the county outperforms many rural regions facing steeper income declines.

Slightly ahead of Missouri average

Daviess County's median income of $60,665 exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by just 1.9%, reflecting modest local economic strength. This narrow margin suggests Daviess performs at the state median rather than leading.

Mid-tier performer regionally

Daviess County ($60,665) ranks in the middle of surveyed counties, exceeding Crawford County ($56,345), Dade County ($49,899), and Dallas County ($53,177) but trailing Clinton County ($70,625) and Cole County ($73,273). This position reflects a stable but modest local economy.

Rental costs are manageable

Daviess County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% falls well below the 15% affordability benchmark, giving renters reasonable financial cushion. The median home value of $149,200 remains relatively affordable for households earning near the county median.

Steady growth through consistent saving

Daviess County residents should aim to save 10–12% of household income toward retirement and long-term goals. Investigate employer retirement plans and community investment options to grow wealth steadily despite modest current earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Daviess County

via CrimeByCounty

Daviess County scores high on safety

With a safety score of 98.3, Daviess County is one of the safer areas in the United States. Its total crime rate of 1,081.0 per 100,000 is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Residents benefit from a low-crime environment that consistently beats national trends.

A leader in Missouri public safety

Daviess County’s safety score of 98.3 is well above the Missouri state average of 97.0. Its crime rate of 1,081.0 per 100,000 is also significantly lower than the state's average of 1,926.2. These metrics place the county in the top tier of Missouri's safest regions.

Daviess County compared to its peers

The county's crime rate of 1,081.0 is very similar to Clinton County’s 1,063.6. However, it is more than double the rate of DeKalb County, which sits at 523.7. Despite the higher rate than DeKalb, Daviess remains very safe by state standards.

A look at violent and property crime

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 332.6, which is just below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is much lower than the national average, standing at 748.4 per 100,000 residents. Most crimes reported are property-related rather than violent offenses.

Simple ways to enhance home security

Focusing on property security can help keep Daviess County’s theft rates low. Installing a simple alarm system or using smart doorbells can deter potential intruders. Community awareness and reporting suspicious activity remain vital for local safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Daviess County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler than the national median

With an annual average of 51.6°F, Daviess County is cooler than many parts of the country. The climate is characterized by more pronounced winter cold and lower humidity than the South.

Chillier than the state average

The county is significantly cooler than the Missouri average of 54.9°F. It also receives less precipitation, falling nearly 4 inches short of the state’s 43.8-inch benchmark.

Parallel patterns with DeKalb County

Daviess closely mirrors neighbor DeKalb County with nearly identical 24.9°F January averages. However, Daviess is slightly drier, seeing 39.6 inches of precipitation annually.

Significant snow and cooler summers

Winters are vigorous with 19.1 inches of snowfall and cold 27.9°F average temperatures. Summers remain mild by Missouri standards, with only 29 days hitting 90°F.

Invest in winterizing your home

Focus on heavy-duty heating and insulation to combat the sharp 24.9°F January lows. Snow removal equipment is a priority for the 19.1 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Daviess County

via SoilByCounty

High-Quality Agricultural Land

Daviess County earns a high soil score of 76.0, reflecting its excellent agricultural potential. Its pH of 6.36 is very close to the 6.5 national median, making it one of the more balanced soils in the region.

Strong Clay Influence

The soil contains 27.3% clay and 57.5% silt, which is a heavier mix that excels at holding onto nutrients. With only 15.2% sand, this soil provides a firm, rich medium for deep-rooted crops.

Superior Water Storage

The organic matter level of 3.12% is robust compared to the national average. More importantly, the available water capacity of 0.202 in/in is significantly higher than the state average, offering great drought resistance.

Managed Saturated Conditions

While taxonomic data is sparse, the drainage is classified as subaqueous. This suggests that while the soil is highly productive, users must be mindful of high water tables and potential seasonal ponding.

Productive Zone 6a Gardening

The 6a hardiness zone is perfect for northern Missouri staples like apples and root vegetables. Take advantage of the high soil score and start a garden that benefits from some of the best water capacity in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Daviess County

via LawnByCounty

Superior Lawn Growth in Daviess County

Daviess County is a top performer with a lawn difficulty score of 83.9, one of the easiest regions for turf in Missouri. This score is significantly higher than the state average of 63.7 and the national median of 50.0. The Zone 6a climate here provides a very hospitable environment for home gardeners.

Cooler Summers and Moderate Rainfall

With only 29 extreme heat days and 39.6 inches of rain, the climate is much milder than southern Missouri counties. The 3,461 growing degree days represent a shorter, more concentrated growing season that is easy to manage. This balance reduces the risk of heat-related dormancy and common summer turf diseases.

Stable Soil with Excellent pH

The soil pH of 6.36 is nearly ideal for a vibrant, green lawn without the need for heavy chemical adjustments. While the soil is subaqueous and contains 27.3% clay, its high nutrient capacity supports vigorous growth when drainage is managed. The 15.2% sand content provides just enough structure to prevent total soil compaction.

Minimal Drought Stress and High Resilience

Daviess County saw only 9 weeks of drought in the past year, and currently, only 37.7% of the area is abnormally dry. This makes it one of the most drought-resilient areas in the state, requiring less supplemental irrigation than its neighbors. Standard watering practices during the hottest weeks are usually sufficient to maintain health.

Lush Zone 6a Lawns are Within Reach

Kentucky Bluegrass thrives in these cooler conditions and the rich soil of Daviess County. With the last spring frost on April 19 and the first fall frost on October 21, you have a reliable window for lawn projects. Fall is the best time for overseeding to keep your lawn dense and weed-resistant for the following year.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Daviess County's county score?
Daviess County, Missouri has a composite county score of 55.1 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 Daviess County rank among counties in Missouri?
Daviess County ranks #40 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 Daviess County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Daviess County is $1,067, with an effective tax rate of 0.66%. This earns Daviess County a tax score of 65/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Daviess County?
The median household income in Daviess County, Missouri is $63,984 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Daviess County earns an income score of 45.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Daviess County, Missouri a good place to live?
Daviess County scores 55.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #40 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Daviess 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 Daviess 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.