CountyScore

Grundy County

Missouri · MO

#55 in Missouri
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Grundy County, Missouri

Grundy County scores comfortably above national median

With a composite score of 73.5, Grundy County scores 47% above the national median of 50.0, reflecting solid livability fundamentals. Strong housing affordability drives this respectable national standing despite modest income levels.

Slightly below Missouri's average performance

Grundy County scores 73.5, marginally below Missouri's state average of 74.8, positioning it as a competitive but not exceptional performer within the state. It ranks in the middle tier of this eight-county comparison.

Exceptional housing affordability for families

Grundy County's cost score of 87.3 is among the highest in this group, supported by median home values of just $107,000 and rents averaging $679/month. This makes it highly accessible for first-time homebuyers and families on modest budgets.

Higher tax rates and limited income growth

An effective tax rate of 1.022% is the second-highest in this group, and the income score of 18.5 reflects modest median household income of $53,839. These factors constrain wealth-building despite excellent housing affordability.

Ideal for budget-conscious rural families

Grundy County is perfect for families seeking extremely affordable housing and a rural lifestyle who can work remotely or have stable local employment. It suits those prioritizing home ownership accessibility over income growth or tax minimization.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.5Cost87.3SafetyComing SoonHealth60.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.5Risk72.2WaterComing Soon
🏛73.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.2
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 Grundy 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

Grundy County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grundy County

via TaxByCounty

Grundy County has among nation's highest tax rates

At 1.022%, Grundy 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 $1,094 remains below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Grundy's lower median home values despite its steep rate.

Grundy ranks among Missouri's highest-tax counties

Grundy County's 1.022% effective rate is 39% above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it among the state's most expensive counties for property taxation. The median property tax of $1,094 is just 9% below the state median of $1,199, confirming that Grundy residents carry an above-average burden.

Nearly highest taxes in the region

Grundy County's 1.022% rate ties with Gentry County as the region's highest or near-highest, vastly exceeding peers like Greene (0.722%), Gasconade (0.733%), Dent (0.563%), and Douglas (0.409%). Only Gentry's 1.031% slightly surpasses Grundy, making both counties notably less tax-friendly than their neighbors.

Your annual tax bill in Grundy County

On a median home valued at $107,000, Grundy County homeowners owe approximately $1,094 per year in property taxes. With mortgage interest deductions, the cost rises to $1,133 annually; without them, it drops to $1,060—a high bill relative to the lower property values typical in the county.

Assessment appeal could provide significant relief

With Grundy County's exceptionally high effective tax rate, homeowners should make a priority of reviewing their property assessment for accuracy. An assessment appeal could save hundreds of dollars annually—contact your county assessor to request your assessment and understand the appeal process for potential reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Grundy County

via CostByCounty

Grundy Renters Face Modest Affordability Pressures

Grundy County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% sits just below the national benchmark, reflecting tight but manageable affordability for renters earning a median household income of $53,839. Monthly rents of $679 consume a moderate share of household earnings, comparable to national norms.

Grundy Slightly Below State Affordability Average

At 15.1%, Grundy County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it near the middle of statewide affordability. The median rent of $679 runs $89 cheaper than the state average, offering reasonable value for rural Missouri.

Grundy Balances Rents and Income Competitively

Grundy's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio positions it between stronger performers like Gasconade (12.4%) and Gentry (12.9%), and better than Douglas (16.5%) and Dunklin (16.0%). At $679 monthly rent with $53,839 income, Grundy offers middle-ground regional affordability.

Ownership More Affordable Than Renting

Grundy renters spend 15.1% of their $53,839 annual income on $679 monthly rent, but homeowners fare better at only 13.3% for ownership costs ($594/month). This pattern suggests that purchasing a median-valued home ($107,000) offers better affordability than renting in Grundy.

Grundy: Solid Value for Balanced Households

Grundy County suits relocating families seeking rural stability with reasonable housing costs: median home values ($107,000) stay affordable, and ownership costs ($594) beat rental prices. If you can secure stable employment at or near Grundy's $53,839 median income and prefer homeownership, this county delivers solid value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Grundy County

via IncomeByCounty

Grundy faces familiar income gap

Grundy County's median household income of $53,839 trails the national median of $74,755 by 28%, reflecting typical rural Missouri economic challenges. The shortfall mirrors patterns seen across many Great Plains and Upper Midwest counties.

Below-state-average earnings county

At $53,839, Grundy County earns about 10% less than Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the lower half of state counties. Per capita income of $30,705 closely matches the state average of $31,011, suggesting fairly typical income distribution.

Lower-earning neighbor in region

Grundy County's $53,839 median income exceeds only Douglas County ($49,828) and Dunklin County ($47,368), while falling short of Dent County ($54,306) and Gentry County ($57,458). The county represents lower end of northwest Missouri economic range.

Rent remains affordable here

Grundy County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.1% keeps housing costs reasonable, allowing households to allocate funds toward savings and other needs. Median home values of $107,000 are among the most affordable in the region, enabling genuine homeownership access.

Affordable housing fuels wealth building

Grundy County's low housing costs create genuine opportunity for wealth accumulation—focus on maximizing down payments and building home equity over time. Pair homeownership with consistent retirement contributions to build a diversified financial foundation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Grundy County

via HealthByCounty

Grundy tracks U.S. life expectancy

Grundy County residents live an average of 74.1 years, 2.0 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. About 20.8% report poor or fair health, slightly above the national average of 17.8%.

Modestly below Missouri average

Grundy's 74.1-year life expectancy falls 0.2 years short of Missouri's state average of 74.3 years. The county's 14.9% uninsured rate ranks among the state's highest, exceeding Missouri's 12.5% average by 2.4 points.

Mid-tier health with insurance gaps

Grundy's 74.1-year life expectancy places it in the middle of the eight-county region, between Gasconade and Gentry. Its 14.9% uninsured rate is second only to Gentry's 15.1%, pointing to coverage as a regional barrier.

Sparse primary care, robust mental health

Grundy has only 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a high 14.9% uninsured rate, making routine care difficult to access. Mental health providers are plentiful at 275 per 100K, suggesting specialized support outpaces general medicine.

Insurance unlocks primary care access

With 14.9% of Grundy County uninsured—the second-highest rate in the region—Healthcare.gov and Missouri Medicaid are critical resources. Coverage becomes essential given the scarcity of primary care providers (just 21 per 100K).

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Grundy County

via RiskByCounty

Grundy County ranks well below national risk

At 27.86, Grundy County's composite risk score places it in the "very low" category and substantially below the national baseline. This favorable profile reflects a fortunate geographic position away from major seismic zones and hurricane paths.

Among Missouri's lowest-risk counties

Grundy County scores 27.86, placing it well below Missouri's state average of 50.56 and in the bottom tier of the state's 114 counties. Its consistent, moderate hazard exposure across all categories contributes to this safety ranking.

Safe within a relatively low-risk region

Grundy County's 27.86 score aligns with neighboring Gentry County (28.85) and other north-central Missouri counties that sit in a low-risk band. This makes the broader region one of Missouri's safest.

Tornado risk moderately elevated locally

Tornado risk at 64.69 is Grundy County's highest hazard, though it remains below the state average for tornado risk overall. Wildfire risk (46.79), flood risk (30.25), and earthquake risk (30.66) are all well-controlled; hurricane risk is minimal (14.48).

Standard homeowners coverage is appropriate

With very-low-risk standing, a standard homeowners policy including wind and hail coverage addresses Grundy County's primary exposures. Focus your preparedness efforts on tornado safety—a weather radio and safe-room plan—rather than specialized insurance products.

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.