countyscore
40.4
County Score
Cost of Living 85.6Weather & Climate 62Property Tax 59.9

County Report Card

About Dunklin County, Missouri

Trailing the National Median

Dunklin County carries a composite score of 40.9, which sits below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects significant socioeconomic challenges common in the Delta region.

Below State Benchmarks

At 40.9, the county trails the Missouri average of 50.3. Improving community safety and economic opportunity are key goals for matching the state's broader performance.

Unmatched Housing Value

Housing is extremely accessible with a cost score of 84.9 and a remarkably low median home value of $93,800. The tax score of 64.0 also suggests a relatively moderate burden for residents.

Economic and Safety Headwinds

The county faces hurdles in income and safety, scoring just 10.0 and 17.1 respectively. A risk score of 19.9 further indicates vulnerability to environmental or economic shocks.

For the Truly Budget-Driven

Dunklin County is most suitable for those who need the absolute lowest housing costs in Missouri. It attracts residents who are comfortable with trade-offs in local services in exchange for ultra-affordable living.

2040608010059.985.617.114.629.68.419.938.162Tax59.9Cost85.6Safety17.1Health14.6Schools29.6Income8.4Risk19.9Water38.1Weather6240.4/100
This county
National avg
1 above average6 below average

Dunklin County DNA

Foverall

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

Dunklin County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Income (8.4/100), though Cost of Living (85.6/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.9
Cost
85.6+37.599999999999994
Safety
17.1-37.9
Health
14.6-35.4
Schools
29.6-24.4
Income
8.4-42.6
Risk
19.9-27.1
Water
38.1-19.9
Weather
62
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Think property taxes are too high in Dunklin County?

Many homeowners in Dunklin 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

$97,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$648/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$97,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,849/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.8

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

Clay County
Arkansas
56
Greene County
Arkansas
40.6
Pemiscot County
Missouri
35.5
Lake County
Tennessee
47.5
Butler County
Missouri
37.6
New Madrid County
Missouri
37.8
Dyer County
Tennessee
44
Mississippi County
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38.6

Deep Dives

Dunklin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Dunklin County

via TaxByCounty

Dunklin County taxes slightly below national median

At 0.694%, Dunklin County's effective property tax rate is just below the national median of 0.87%, placing it roughly in the 40th percentile nationally. However, the median property tax of $651 is less than 25% the national median of $2,690, reflecting Dunklin's much lower median home values rather than an especially low tax rate.

Dunklin sits near Missouri's state average

Dunklin County's 0.694% effective rate is just 5% below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, making it fairly representative of typical Missouri tax burden. The median tax of $651 falls 46% below the state median of $1,199, a gap driven largely by significantly lower property values in the county.

Mid-range taxes among regional peers

Dunklin County's 0.694% rate falls between lower-tax counties like Dent (0.563%) and Douglas (0.409%), and higher-tax neighbors like Gentry (1.031%) and Grundy (1.022%). It's near Greene County's 0.722%, making Dunklin a reasonable middle-ground for tax burden in the region.

Your annual tax bill in Dunklin County

On a median home valued at just $93,800—well below state averages—Dunklin County homeowners owe approximately $651 per year in property taxes. With mortgage deductions, the effective cost reaches $751 annually; without them, it drops to $595—one of the lowest absolute bills in the state despite a mid-range tax rate.

Challenge your assessment if it seems high

Property assessments in rural counties like Dunklin can sometimes miss recent market changes or undervalue improvements on your property. Filing an assessment appeal is straightforward—contact your county assessor to understand the review process and confirm you're being assessed fairly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dunklin County

via IncomeByCounty

Dunklin faces significant income gap

Dunklin County's median household income of $47,368 falls 37% below the national median of $74,755, among the lowest in Missouri. This substantial shortfall reflects limited economic diversification in this southeast Missouri region.

State's lowest-income tier county

Dunklin County ranks among Missouri's lowest-earning counties at $47,368, nearly $12,000 below the state average of $59,503. Per capita income of $26,121 also trails the state average significantly, indicating broader economic challenges.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Dunklin County's $47,368 median income falls short of all nearby counties, including Douglas County ($49,828) and Dent County ($54,306). Agricultural dependence and limited job diversity appear to constrain local earning potential.

Budget tight but housing affordable

Although Dunklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% remains manageable, the low overall income leaves little cushion for unexpected expenses. Median home values of just $93,800 offer genuine affordability, though household incomes barely exceed $47,000.

Micro-investing and income diversification matter

In lower-income rural communities, fractional share investing and micro-investing platforms make wealth-building accessible starting with $1-5 contributions. Prioritize paying down any high-interest debt first, then steadily build savings as capacity allows.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dunklin County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime rates approach the national average

Dunklin County reports 2,236.1 crimes per 100,000 residents, placing it just below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 96.5. Ten reporting agencies provide comprehensive coverage of the local public safety landscape.

Safety score falls slightly below state average

Dunklin County’s safety score of 96.5 is lower than Missouri’s state average of 97.0. While the county is not an outlier, it experiences more frequent reported incidents than many of its rural counterparts. Law enforcement remains active in managing these higher-than-average service volumes.

Highest crime rate among nearby rural counties

Dunklin County has a significantly higher crime rate than Greene County, which reports only 401.5 incidents per 100,000. It also sees more activity than Franklin County at 1,578.3. This makes Dunklin one of the busiest counties for law enforcement in this regional group.

Property theft is the primary safety concern

The property crime rate of 1,977.0 is much higher than the violent crime rate of 259.1. Violent crime actually remains lower than the national average of 369.8. Most residents are impacted by non-violent offenses like larceny or burglary rather than physical harm.

Secure your property against common thefts

Given the high property crime rate, homeowners should prioritize securing sheds, garages, and vehicles. Security cameras and neighborhood watch programs can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a statistic. Investing in home defense creates a safer environment for everyone in the community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dunklin County

via WeatherByCounty

Significant warmth in the Bootheel

Dunklin County’s 59.7°F average temperature is much higher than the national median. This southern Missouri climate borders on subtropical with long, intense growing seasons.

One of Missouri’s warmest counties

The county is nearly 5 degrees warmer than the Missouri average of 54.9°F. It also receives 51.2 inches of rain, far exceeding the state norm of 43.8 inches.

The region’s leader in heat

Dunklin records a staggering 62 extreme heat days, far more than any other county in this group. It is also significantly wetter and warmer than its northern neighbors.

Intense heat and mild winters

July is very hot with an average of 80.9°F and 62 days above 90°F. Winters are mild with only 3.5 inches of snow and a January average well above freezing at 36.4°F.

Max out your cooling capacity

High-performance air conditioning is essential for the two months' worth of 90°F days. Winter needs are minimal, so focus your budget on humidity control and summer cooling.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dunklin County

via SoilByCounty

Near-Neutral Soils of the Bootheel

Dunklin County features a pH of 6.05, which closely tracks the Missouri state average of 6.09. This level is much closer to the national median of 6.5 than many of its more acidic neighbors in the Ozarks.

Balanced Silt and Sand Mix

The soil is comprised of 52.5% silt and 27.5% sand, giving it a light, versatile structure. Clay content sits at 20.0%, providing enough body to retain nutrients without becoming overly compacted or difficult to plow.

High Water Capacity, Low Organic Base

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.68%, falling below the state average of 4.74%. However, the available water capacity of 0.191 in/in is higher than the state norm, ensuring crops have better access to moisture during heat waves.

Subaqueous Soils in the Delta

Dunklin's subaqueous drainage class reflects its position in the low-lying Missouri Bootheel where water levels are naturally high. Traditional farming and building require specialized drainage management to handle this persistent saturation.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 7b

With a 7b hardiness rating, this is one of the warmest spots in Missouri for gardening. The high water capacity makes it ideal for thirsty crops like melons or cotton; start your seeds early to take advantage of the warmth.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dunklin County

via LawnByCounty

High Difficulty in the Bootheel

Dunklin County is one of the toughest places in the state for lawn care, with a difficulty score of only 44.7. This falls well below the national median of 50.0 and the Missouri average of 63.7. The 7b Hardiness Zone introduces southern heat challenges that most Missourians don't have to face.

Extreme Heat and Heavy Rainfall

With a staggering 62 extreme heat days per year, Dunklin far exceeds the state average of 37 days. The county receives a plentiful 51.2 inches of rain, but the 4953 growing degree days signal an incredibly aggressive growing season. Grass types must be able to withstand prolonged periods above 90°F without going dormant.

Strong Soil Bases for Turf

The soil pH of 6.05 is the closest to the ideal range among neighboring counties, requiring less lime for nutrient uptake. A balanced texture of 20.0% clay and 27.5% sand provides a solid foundation for root development. Despite the good texture, subaqueous drainage classifications mean low-lying areas will need help with runoff.

Widespread Severe Drought Impacts

The entire county is currently experiencing severe drought, compounding the stress of 24 weeks of drought over the past year. Under these conditions, lawn owners should avoid heavy fertilization which can lead to salt burn when water is scarce. Focus on maintaining a 3-inch grass height to protect the soil from the intense Bootheel sun.

Selecting Heat-Hardy Grass Types

Bermuda and Zoysia grasses thrive in this 7b zone because they can handle the 62 days of extreme heat. The long growing season begins early with a last frost on March 31 and extends until November 3. For the best results, establish warm-season lawns in late spring as the ground temperature rises.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dunklin County's county score?
Dunklin County, Missouri has a composite county score of 40.4 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 Dunklin County rank among counties in Missouri?
Dunklin County ranks #101 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 Dunklin County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Dunklin County is $688, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Dunklin County a tax score of 59.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dunklin County?
The median household income in Dunklin County, Missouri is $47,849 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dunklin County earns an income score of 8.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dunklin County, Missouri a good place to live?
Dunklin County scores 40.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #101 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Dunklin 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 Dunklin 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.