CountyScore

Gentry County

Missouri · MO

#54 in Missouri
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Gentry County, Missouri

Gentry County outperforms national baseline

Gentry County scores 73.4, nearly 47% above the national median of 50.0, demonstrating solid livability fundamentals. This respectable performance reflects strong housing affordability that offsets more modest income levels.

Slightly below Missouri's state average

Gentry County scores 73.4, just below Missouri's state average of 74.8, positioning it as a borderline performer within the state. It ranks in the middle tier among these eight counties.

Excellent affordability and low housing costs

Gentry County's cost score of 86.6 reflects median home values of $123,000 and rents averaging just $620/month, among the lowest in this group. This exceptional housing affordability makes it highly attractive for first-time buyers and budget-conscious families.

Higher tax burden reduces competitiveness

An effective tax rate of 1.031% is the highest in this group, and the income score of 20.9 reflects modest median household income of $57,458. These factors limit wealth-building capacity despite strong housing affordability.

Good fit for affordability-focused families

Gentry County is best for families prioritizing low housing costs and a rural lifestyle over maximum income potential or minimal taxes. It suits those with stable, modest incomes who want to stretch their housing dollars.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.3Cost86.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.9Risk71.2WaterComing Soon
🏛73.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.2
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 Gentry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lafayette County
Arkansas
70.2
Median income: $37,237
Quitman County
Georgia
70.2
Median income: $36,838
Mahaska County
Iowa
70.2
Median income: $69,019
Jessamine County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $74,886
Lawrence County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $45,584

Deep Dives

Gentry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Gentry County

via TaxByCounty

Gentry County has among nation's highest tax rates

At 1.031%, Gentry County's effective property tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 0.87%, placing it in approximately the 75th percentile—among the highest-tax counties nationwide. The median annual property tax of $1,268 remains below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Gentry's lower-valued properties despite its steep tax rate.

Gentry ranks among Missouri's highest-tax counties

Gentry County's 1.031% effective rate is 41% above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it among the state's highest-tax counties. The median property tax of $1,268 is 6% above the state median of $1,199, indicating that even on modest homes, Gentry residents face an elevated tax burden.

Highest taxes in the immediate region

Gentry County's 1.031% rate is the highest or tied-highest among all nearby counties, exceeded only by Grundy County's 1.022%—both substantially outpacing regional peers like Greene (0.722%), Gasconade (0.733%), and Dent (0.563%). This puts Gentry among the region's least tax-friendly locations.

Your annual tax bill in Gentry County

On a median home valued at $123,000, Gentry County homeowners owe approximately $1,268 per year in property taxes. With mortgage interest deductions, the cost rises to $1,273 annually; without them, it drops marginally to $1,260—a notably high bill relative to home values in the county.

Assessment appeal is especially valuable here

Given Gentry County's high effective tax rate, homeowners should prioritize reviewing their property assessment for errors or overvaluation. An assessment appeal could save you hundreds of dollars annually—particularly important in a high-tax county where even small rate reductions translate to meaningful savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gentry County

via CostByCounty

Gentry Offers Genuine Affordability for Renters

Gentry County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% sits comfortably below the national baseline, reflecting modest but adequate incomes ($57,458) paired with affordable rents ($620/month). Renters here keep a smaller share of earnings locked into housing than most Americans.

Gentry Ranks Well Above State Average on Value

At 12.9%, Gentry County's rent-to-income ratio beats Missouri's state average of 15.6% by 2.7 percentage points, placing it among the state's most affordable rental markets. The median rent of $620 runs $148 cheaper than the state average, supporting working families effectively.

Gentry Competes Well for Regional Housing Value

Gentry's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks second-best in the region, trailing only Gasconade (12.4%), and its $620 median rent ties with Dent as the region's lowest. With a median household income of $57,458, Gentry residents enjoy solid earning power relative to their housing costs.

Modest Incomes, Light Housing Burden

Gentry renters spend 12.9% of their $57,458 annual income on $620 monthly rent, while homeowners allocate 14.9% ($716/month) toward ownership costs. Homeownership runs slightly tighter than renting here, but both remain well below the 30% affordability ceiling.

Gentry: Affordable and Accessible for Families

Gentry County suits first-time homebuyers and renters seeking genuine affordability: median home values ($123,000) stay low, rents ($620) stay reasonable, and household incomes ($57,458) stretch further here than in pricier regions. Relocate to Gentry if you prioritize housing affordability over urban amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gentry County

via IncomeByCounty

Gentry trails national income standard

Gentry County's median household income of $57,458 sits 23% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic constraints. However, the county fares better than the lowest-income Missouri counties.

Slightly below state average here

At $57,458, Gentry County falls just under Missouri's state average of $59,503—less than a $2,000 difference. Per capita income of $29,984 closely tracks the state's $31,011 average, suggesting fairly typical income distribution patterns.

Mid-tier earnings in regional context

Gentry County's $57,458 median income positions it between lower earners like Grundy County ($53,839) and stronger performers like Gasconade County ($65,096). The county's performance reflects typical northwest Missouri economic patterns.

Rent costs stay manageable

Gentry County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% ranks among the county's best affordability metrics, leaving plenty of household budget for other needs. With median home values at $123,000, homeownership requires patience but remains attainable.

Consistent savings unlock future options

Gentry County's near-average income and low housing costs create real opportunity to build savings discipline—even $100-200 monthly contributions compound significantly over time. Employer retirement plans and automatic transfers make consistent investing easier to sustain.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gentry County

via HealthByCounty

Gentry's life expectancy tracks U.S. closely

Gentry County residents live an average of 74.5 years, just 1.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. About 20.5% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 17.8%.

Slightly above Missouri health baseline

At 74.5 years, Gentry's life expectancy exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.3 years by 0.2 years. However, the county's 15.1% uninsured rate is 2.6 percentage points higher than the state average, suggesting coverage challenges.

Strong longevity, weak insurance access

Gentry's 74.5-year life expectancy ranks near Franklin and Greene counties, but its 15.1% uninsured rate is the highest in the eight-county region. This suggests good health outcomes despite insurance gaps.

Coverage challenge overshadows provider base

With a 15.1% uninsured rate—the worst in the region—Gentry struggles despite having 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health providers are sparse at just 32 per 100K, the second-lowest in the comparison counties.

Address Gentry's coverage crisis

Nearly 1 in 6 Gentry residents are uninsured, the highest rate in the eight-county region; visiting Healthcare.gov or Missouri Medicaid is urgent. Coverage unlocks access to the 32 available primary care providers and addresses mental health gaps.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gentry County

via RiskByCounty

Gentry County ranks among the nation's safest

At 28.85, Gentry County's composite risk score is well below the national baseline and places it firmly in the "very low" category. The county's distance from major seismic zones and low hurricane exposure contribute to this exceptional safety profile.

Third-lowest risk in Missouri

Gentry County's 28.85 score is substantially below Missouri's state average of 50.56, ranking it among the state's safest counties. This strong standing reflects a fortunate geographic position relative to major natural hazard sources.

Safest in a relatively low-risk region

Gentry County's score of 28.85 places it among the lowest-risk counties in northwest Missouri. Neighboring areas show similar or modestly higher scores, making this a consistently safe region of the state.

Tornado risk the primary consideration

Tornado risk at 53.82 is Gentry County's most notable hazard, though it remains near the state average. Wildfire risk (51.88) is secondary; earthquake risk (17.27) and flood risk (27.13) are minimal, and hurricane risk is essentially zero (0.00).

Basic homeowners policy handles most risks

Gentry County's very-low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance with wind and tornado coverage is generally sufficient. A weather radio and a safe room plan for severe thunderstorms address your biggest exposure; specialized policies for flood or earthquake are unlikely necessary.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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