CountyScore

Dunklin County

Missouri · MO

#98 in Missouri
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Dunklin County, Missouri

Dunklin County solidly above the national baseline

With a composite score of 76.4, Dunklin County scores 53% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong fundamental livability. This solid performance is driven primarily by exceptional affordability and reasonable tax burdens across the county.

Competitive performer against Missouri counties

Dunklin County scores 76.4, slightly above Missouri's state average of 74.8, positioning it favorably within the state's livability rankings. The county holds steady as a reliable choice among Missouri's more affordable regions.

Lowest housing costs in the region

Dunklin County excels in affordability with a cost score of 87.2, driven by the lowest median home values in this group at just $93,800 and rents averaging $632/month. This makes the county exceptionally attractive for first-time homebuyers and families on tight budgets.

Income opportunities lag behind peers

The income score of 14.3 and median household income of $47,368 are the lowest across all eight counties, suggesting limited wage growth prospects. An effective tax rate of 0.694% and missing data on safety, health, and schools further constrain livability assessment.

Best for budget-first homebuyers and retirees

Dunklin County is ideal for first-time homebuyers, families with modest incomes, and retirees seeking the absolute lowest housing costs in Missouri. It suits those who can work remotely or are not dependent on local employment opportunities.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82.8Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth54.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.3Risk19.9WaterComing Soon
🏛82.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Dunklin County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lassen County
California
66.3
Median income: $64,395
Screven County
Georgia
66.3
Median income: $53,017
St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana
66.3
Median income: $57,638
Shiawassee County
Michigan
66.3
Median income: $64,464
Lowndes County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $54,460

Deep Dives

Dunklin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Dunklin County

via CostByCounty

Dunklin Renters Feel National Affordability Squeeze

Dunklin County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% edges above the national baseline, reflecting broader affordability pressures on working families with a median income of $47,368—nearly $27,400 below the national average. Monthly rents of $632 consume a meaningful chunk of already stretched household budgets.

Dunklin Slightly Above State Affordability Average

At 16.0%, Dunklin's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Missouri's 15.6% average, marking it as one of the state's tighter rental markets. The median rent of $632 runs $136 cheaper than the state average, but weak local incomes ($47,368) offset this advantage.

Dunklin's Rents Competitive in Southeast Region

Dunklin County's $632 median rent sits between Dent ($615) and Douglas ($687), offering a middle-ground rental cost in the region. However, Dunklin's median household income of $47,368 is the lowest among its peers, putting renters under greater financial strain.

Ownership and Renting Both Demand Most of Income

Dunklin renters spend 16.0% of their $47,368 annual income on $632 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate 16.7% ($659/month) toward ownership costs. Both housing types consume a notably large share of household income, leaving residents with limited flexibility for savings and emergencies.

Dunklin: Affordable but Income-Dependent

Dunklin County offers the region's lowest median home value ($93,800), making it ideal for first-time buyers with limited down payments, but tight affordability ratios demand stable income. Relocate here only if your job prospects match or exceed the area's $47,368 median—otherwise, housing will strain your finances.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Dunklin County

via HealthByCounty

Dunklin faces the steepest health challenge

At 68.9 years, Dunklin County's life expectancy is 7.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—among the lowest in the nation. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.4%) experience poor or fair health, well above the national average of 17.8%.

Missouri's lowest life expectancy

Dunklin's 68.9-year life expectancy is 5.4 years below the Missouri average of 74.3 years, placing it among the state's worst-performing counties. The county's poor/fair health rate of 24.4% is also the highest among peer counties.

Significantly worse than surrounding counties

Dunklin's 68.9 years dramatically trails regional neighbors like Dent (71.1 years) and Gasconade (72.3 years), revealing a localized health crisis. The gap suggests systemic challenges beyond typical rural healthcare shortages.

High uninsured rate strains healthcare system

Dunklin's 13.3% uninsured rate compounds limited primary care access—only 25 providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health providers are relatively plentiful at 248 per 100K, suggesting behavioral health is prioritized despite broader care gaps.

Coverage is your first step forward

With 1 in 7 Dunklin residents uninsured, exploring Missouri Medicaid or marketplace plans through Healthcare.gov is essential for breaking the cycle of delayed care. Even basic coverage connects you to the 25 available primary care providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dunklin County

via RiskByCounty

Dunklin County's earthquake risk dominates

Dunklin County's composite score of 80.12 places it in the "relatively low" category nationally, but this masks an extremely high earthquake risk of 96.44—among the highest in Missouri. Tornado risk at 73.70 adds a secondary but significant threat.

Among Missouri's highest-risk counties

At 80.12, Dunklin County's composite score significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, putting it in the upper tier of the state's 114 counties. The earthquake risk alone places it in rare company within the state.

Seismic hotspot in regional comparison

Dunklin's earthquake risk (96.44) towers over neighboring counties—most Missouri neighbors score in the 60–80 range on seismic risk. This unusual seismic vulnerability stems from proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Earthquakes are the primary concern here

Earthquake risk at 96.44 is Dunklin County's defining hazard, with tornado risk (73.70) and hurricane risk (46.52) creating secondary exposure. The 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes reshaped the landscape here; modern versions could do the same.

Earthquake insurance is essential for Dunklin

Given an earthquake risk score of 96.44, standard homeowners insurance is not enough—you need earthquake coverage as a separate endorsement or policy. Seismic retrofit improvements (foundation bolting, chimney bracing) can lower premiums and improve safety significantly.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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