countyscore
55.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 84Lawn Care 82.8Safety 77.9

County Report Card

About DeKalb County, Missouri

Strong Overall Quality of Life

DeKalb County achieves a composite score of 55.9, which is comfortably higher than the national median of 50.0. It offers a robust mix of safety and economic stability.

A Top Choice in Missouri

DeKalb County outperforms the state average of 50.3 with its 55.9 composite score. It is a standout performer in northern Missouri, particularly for those focused on security.

Exceptional Safety and Stability

The county excels in safety with a high score of 77.9 and an even better risk score of 84.0. Economically, it remains healthy with a median household income of $69,093.

Water and Education Concerns

Significant challenges exist in water quality, which scores a very low 10.0. Education metrics also lag, with a school score of 24.0 suggesting a need for more investment in local learning.

Perfect for Security-Minded Families

DeKalb County is a prime choice for those who rank personal safety and environmental stability as their top priorities. It offers a secure, mid-sized community feel with strong local earnings.

2040608010054.26277.9492461.6841048.2Tax54.2Cost62Safety77.9Health49Schools24Income61.6Risk84Water10Weather48.255.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average2 below average

DeKalb County DNA

Foverall

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

DeKalb County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (84/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.2
Cost
62+14
Safety
77.9+22.900000000000006
Health
49
Schools
24-30
Income
61.6+10.600000000000001
Risk
84+37
Water
10-48
Weather
48.2
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Think property taxes are too high in DeKalb County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$169,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$817/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$169,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $69,826/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.9

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

Gentry County
Missouri
57.8
Daviess County
Missouri
55.1
Clinton County
Missouri
47.8
Andrew County
Missouri
53.5
Caldwell County
Missouri
64.5
Buchanan County
Missouri
31.7
Doniphan County
Kansas
60.8
Worth County
Missouri
58.6

Deep Dives

DeKalb County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in DeKalb County

via TaxByCounty

DeKalb County Taxes Above National Median

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in DeKalb County

via IncomeByCounty

DeKalb County approaches national income levels

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in DeKalb County

via CrimeByCounty

Top-tier safety in DeKalb County

DeKalb County earns an exceptional safety score of 99.2, making it one of the most secure counties in the nation. Its total crime rate of 523.7 per 100,000 is nearly five times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data highlights a very low-risk environment for residents.

DeKalb County leads the state in safety

The county's safety score of 99.2 is significantly higher than the Missouri average of 97.0. With a crime rate of 523.7, it performs much better than the state average of 1,926.2 per 100,000 people. It stands as a model for public safety within Missouri.

Safest among its regional neighbors

DeKalb County’s crime rate of 523.7 is less than half the rate of neighboring Daviess County, which is 1,081.0. It is also significantly safer than Clinton County at 1,063.6. DeKalb is the clear leader in regional safety based on these figures.

Analyzing the local crime details

Violent crime is very low in DeKalb County, with only 126.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. Property crime is also minimal at 397.0, far below the national average of 2,015.7. Residents face very little risk from both violent and property-related offenses.

Maintaining a safe community in DeKalb

In a county this safe, maintaining standard home security is often enough for most residents. Consider using timers for lights when you are away to maintain a lived-in look. Small efforts by each household help preserve DeKalb County's impressive safety record.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in DeKalb County

via WeatherByCounty

A cool northern Missouri climate

DeKalb County’s 52.0°F annual average is below the national median, indicating a cooler-leaning profile. The area experiences brisk winters and shorter periods of intense summer heat.

Below the Missouri temperature norm

The county’s 52.0°F average sits nearly 3 degrees below the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. It also records 20.7 inches of snow, nearly double what some southern counties receive.

Heavy snow compared to neighbors

DeKalb receives 20.7 inches of snow annually, outpacing Daviess County’s 19.1 inches. It also experiences slightly more extreme heat days than its immediate eastern neighbor.

Snowy winters and 32 heat days

Winter is the dominant season, featuring a 28.1°F average temperature and over 20 inches of snow. July remains warm at 76.6°F, contributing to 32 days above 90°F.

Prioritize snow and ice management

A high-quality snow blower is essential for managing the 20.7 inches of annual accumulation. Ensure your furnace is serviced annually to handle the deep 24.9°F January freezes.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in DeKalb County

via SoilByCounty

Productive Northern Alfisols

DeKalb County features Alfisols with a silt loam texture and an impressive soil score of 71.2. The average pH of 6.31 is slightly below the national median of 6.5 but remains much higher than the state average of 6.09.

Balanced Silt and Clay

The soil is comprised of 56.5% silt and 27.5% clay, which creates a heavy, nutrient-dense profile. The low 16.0% sand content means the soil stays moist longer, though it can be slow to warm up in the spring.

High Moisture Retention

Organic matter is healthy at 2.99%, well above the 2.0% national average. The available water capacity of 0.194 in/in exceeds the state average of 0.183, giving your plants an extra reservoir during the summer.

Slower Natural Drainage

The soil is moderately well drained and belongs to hydrologic group D. This indicates that water moves slowly through the soil profile, which is great for moisture-loving crops but requires attention to field drainage.

Bountiful Zone 6a Harvests

Hardiness zone 6a is well-suited for a variety of grains and vegetables like pumpkins and potatoes. These high-scoring soils provide the stability and nutrients needed to maintain a flourishing local garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in DeKalb County

via LawnByCounty

Top-Tier Lawn Potential in DeKalb County

DeKalb County stands out with an impressive lawn score of 82.8, making it far easier to maintain a yard here than the national average. Situated in Hardiness Zone 6a, it offers some of the best growing conditions in Missouri. Homeowners can expect lush results with less effort than in most other parts of the state.

Ideal Rainfall and Manageable Heat

The county receives 39.5 inches of rain annually and experiences only 32 extreme heat days, well below the state average of 37. With 3,565 growing degree days, the environment supports consistent growth without the scorching conditions found elsewhere. This allows for a more relaxed watering schedule during the peak summer months.

Rich Silt Loam Soil for Premium Turf

The soil in DeKalb County is a moderately well-drained silt loam with a near-perfect pH of 6.31. Its 27.5% clay content provides excellent nutrient storage, while 16.0% sand helps with water movement and root penetration. This foundation is naturally productive and requires few amendments to support high-quality turfgrass.

High Resistance to Drought and Dryness

With only 7 weeks in drought over the last year, DeKalb is exceptionally resilient compared to other Missouri counties. Currently, just 22.2% of the county is considered abnormally dry, meaning most lawns are thriving with natural rainfall. Occasional watering during dry spells will easily preserve the vibrant green color residents expect.

Best Grasses for the DeKalb Climate

Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass are perfect for the cooler Zone 6a winters and moderate summers here. The frost-free window from April 19 to October 24 provides ample time for establishing new turf from seed. For the thickest lawn, plan your major renovation projects for late August when the nights begin to cool.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DeKalb County's county score?
DeKalb County, Missouri has a composite county score of 55.2 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 DeKalb County rank among counties in Missouri?
DeKalb County ranks #39 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 DeKalb County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in DeKalb County is $1,285, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns DeKalb County a tax score of 54.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in DeKalb County?
The median household income in DeKalb County, Missouri is $69,826 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. DeKalb County earns an income score of 61.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is DeKalb County, Missouri a good place to live?
DeKalb County scores 55.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #39 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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.