DeKalb County's composite score of 75.3 exceeds the national median of 50, placing it in the 75th percentile of U.S. counties. The county ranks among the more livable communities nationwide.
2 / 5
Solid Performer in Missouri Ranking
DeKalb County scores 75.3, marginally exceeding Missouri's state average of 74.8 to rank in the upper tier of state counties. It's among Missouri's better-performing communities for overall livability.
3 / 5
Strong Income Plus Affordable Costs
DeKalb County combines a respectable income score of 28.5 with a cost score of 82.7 and tax score of 81.0, supported by median household income of $69,093 and rent at just $796/month. This balance of earning power and affordability makes it unique in this group.
4 / 5
Income Still Below Potential
While income performs relatively better here, the median of $69,093 remains modest relative to the county's strong affordability metrics, suggesting limited high-wage opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data are unavailable.
5 / 5
Best for Income-Plus-Savings Balance
DeKalb County appeals to working families and professionals seeking a healthy balance between earning power and affordable living costs. This county offers more income potential than its peers while maintaining excellent financial efficiency.
DeKalb County's composite score of 75.3 exceeds the national median of 50, placing it in the 75th percentile of U.S. counties. The county ranks among the more livable communities nationwide.
Solid Performer in Missouri Ranking
DeKalb County scores 75.3, marginally exceeding Missouri's state average of 74.8 to rank in the upper tier of state counties. It's among Missouri's better-performing communities for overall livability.
Strong Income Plus Affordable Costs
DeKalb County combines a respectable income score of 28.5 with a cost score of 82.7 and tax score of 81.0, supported by median household income of $69,093 and rent at just $796/month. This balance of earning power and affordability makes it unique in this group.
Income Still Below Potential
While income performs relatively better here, the median of $69,093 remains modest relative to the county's strong affordability metrics, suggesting limited high-wage opportunities. Safety, health, schools, and environmental quality data are unavailable.
Best for Income-Plus-Savings Balance
DeKalb County appeals to working families and professionals seeking a healthy balance between earning power and affordable living costs. This county offers more income potential than its peers while maintaining excellent financial efficiency.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.758%, DeKalb County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median, positioning it among higher-tax jurisdictions across the United States. Property owners here experience a notably steeper tax burden than typical American homeowners.
Slightly Above Missouri Average
DeKalb County's 0.758% rate exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733%, ranking it in the upper portion of statewide counties. The median tax of $1,269 is 6% above the state median of $1,199, indicating above-average tax pressure.
Higher Taxes Than Most Neighbors
DeKalb County (0.758%) outpaces Dallas County (0.480%), Crawford County (0.609%), Dade County (0.650%), Daviess County (0.708%), and Cooper County (0.676%), though it trails Clinton County (0.861%) and Cole County (0.806%). It stands as a higher-tax option regionally.
Annual Tax on DeKalb Median Home
On DeKalb County's median home value of $167,500, homeowners pay approximately $1,269 per year in property taxes—roughly $106 monthly. This bill sits above state and regional averages, reflecting DeKalb's higher-tax status.
Appeal Your Assessment If Overvalued
Many DeKalb County properties may be assessed above fair market value, creating opportunities for tax relief through formal appeals. If your home's assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales, you should consider challenging it to reduce your annual bill.
DeKalb County renters spend 13.8% of their income on housing, falling below both the national average and Missouri's state average of 15.6%. The median household income of $69,093 is competitive with national norms, while median rent of $796 remains modest, creating one of the region's most balanced housing markets.
Strong affordability ranking statewide
DeKalb County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio places it among Missouri's most affordable counties, beating the state average by 1.8 percentage points. With median rent at $796 and household income at $69,093, the county performs well on both income and housing cost metrics.
Competitive with top performers
DeKalb County's median rent of $796 and 13.8% ratio compete directly with Cole County ($804 rent, 13.2% ratio) and Cooper County ($763, 13.6% ratio). Among the eight counties studied, DeKalb ranks in the top three for overall housing affordability.
13.8% of income toward housing
Households in DeKalb County earn a median of $69,093 annually and spend approximately $796 monthly on rent or $752 for ownership, consuming 13.8% of gross income. This favorable ratio provides families substantial financial flexibility for other priorities.
Excellent value for homebuyers
DeKalb County combines competitive household incomes with reasonable housing costs and a median home value of $167,500, making it an excellent choice for families prioritizing affordability. The 13.8% rent-to-income ratio ensures housing won't overshadow your family budget.
DeKalb County's median household income of $69,093 trails the national median of $74,755 by 7.6%, placing it close to U.S. typical earnings. This relative proximity signals a resilient local economy with above-average wage stability.
Strong performer within Missouri
DeKalb County's median income of $69,093 exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 16.1%, positioning it among the state's stronger-earning counties. This $9,590 advantage reflects robust local employment and economic opportunity.
Competitive with nearby counties
DeKalb County ($69,093) trails Cole County ($73,273) and Clinton County ($70,625) by modest margins, establishing itself as a solid regional performer. This ranking reflects DeKalb's stable economy relative to lower-income neighboring counties.
Housing costs are very reasonable
DeKalb County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.8% sits well below the 15% affordability threshold, leaving households substantial financial flexibility. The median home value of $167,500 aligns well with local earning capacity, making homeownership accessible.
Invest for long-term financial security
DeKalb County residents enjoy strong income levels supporting aggressive wealth building; aim to direct 15–20% of earnings toward retirement and investment accounts. Explore diversified portfolio options and consider working with a financial advisor to maximize long-term returns.
At 75.7 years, DeKalb County residents live 2.0 years longer than the U.S. average of 73.7 years. Just 19.1% report poor or fair health, nearly matching the national rate of 19.3%, suggesting relatively balanced health across the population.
Strong performance against state average
DeKalb County's life expectancy of 75.7 years exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.4 years, placing it solidly among the state's healthier counties. The uninsured rate of 10.3% beats the state average of 12.5%, improving access to routine preventive care.
Solid health outcomes, limited specialist capacity
DeKalb County's 75.7-year life expectancy matches Clinton County's 75.5 and trails Cole County's 77.1 years. Primary care access at 27 per 100K is modest compared to Cole County's 70, though mental health provider data is not currently available for this county.
Good coverage, moderate provider access
DeKalb County's 10.3% uninsured rate means about 1 in 10 residents lack coverage, an above-average insurance picture for this group. With 27 primary care providers per 100K, the county offers basic preventive care access, though mental health services remain unmeasured.
Maintain your coverage advantage
DeKalb County has better-than-average insurance rates, but staying or getting covered is essential to maintaining the county's strong health trends. Check Healthcare.gov to keep your coverage in place or find a plan if you're among the uninsured.
DeKalb County scores just 16.03 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and falling far below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This exceptionally low score places the county in the safest tier nationally for natural disasters.
Missouri's Lowest-Risk County
DeKalb County ranks as one of Missouri's absolute safest counties across all natural disaster categories. With a composite score 34 points below the state average, the county represents the minimal-risk end of the statewide spectrum.
Clear Safety Leader Regionally
DeKalb County's 16.03 score substantially underscore all regional peers, including Daviess County (30.06), Dade County (23.28), and Dallas County (41.70). Only Cooper County (20.39) approaches DeKalb's exceptional safety profile.
Minimal Multi-Hazard Exposure
Tornado risk of 56.36 represents DeKalb's most notable concern but remains below statewide average. All other hazards—wildfire (46.37), flood (20.96), and earthquake (23.51)—score well below 50, indicating minimal practical threat.
Basic Coverage Fully Adequate
DeKalb County homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance as their primary protection. Verify flood coverage only if your home sits within a mapped floodplain; specialized earthquake or windstorm policies are not cost-justified in this exceptionally low-risk environment.