countyscore
57.7
County Score
Cost of Living 88.3Safety 79.3Property Tax 62.6

County Report Card

About Iron County, Missouri

Exceeding National Expectations

Iron County delivers a strong performance with a composite score of 59.3, well above the national median of 50.0. This score places it in the top 20% of counties for livability nationwide. Its high rank is fueled by excellent safety and extreme affordability.

A Top-Tier Missouri Performer

At 59.3, Iron County significantly outpaces the Missouri average of 50.3. It stands as a premier destination for those seeking a high quality of life at a low cost. It offers a much higher safety rating than the Missouri state norm.

Incredible Safety and Housing Value

Iron County's Cost Score of 89.8 is nearly unmatched, with a median home value of just $113,000. It also provides a very secure environment, evidenced by a high Safety Score of 79.3. The effective tax rate of 0.651% further enhances the financial appeal for residents.

Critical Infrastructure Deficits

Water quality is a major outlier, with a Water Score of only 5.5—the lowest in the region. Health access and environmental risk also pose challenges, with scores of 23.2 and 30.5 respectively. Additionally, the Income Score of 17.0 reflects a limited local job market.

Ideal for Safety-Seeking Bargain Hunters

This county is a perfect match for retirees or remote workers who want maximum safety and minimum housing costs. It offers an exceptionally high standard of living for those who don't rely on the local economy for high wages. Residents should plan to invest in home water filtration and travel for specialized medical care.

2040608010062.688.379.323.252.59.730.55.553.5Tax62.6Cost88.3Safety79.3Health23.2Schools52.5Income9.7Risk30.5Water5.5Weather53.557.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Iron County DNA

Foverall

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

Iron County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (88.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (5.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.6+10.600000000000001
Cost
88.3+40.3
Safety
79.3+24.299999999999997
Health
23.2-26.8
Schools
52.5
Income
9.7-41.3
Risk
30.5-16.5
Water
5.5-52.5
Weather
53.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$119,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$664/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$119,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,560/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $48,850/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.1

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

Reynolds County
Missouri
66.2
Madison County
Missouri
46.6
St. Francois County
Missouri
37.5
Washington County
Missouri
51.9
Dent County
Missouri
55.8
Wayne County
Missouri
49.2
Shannon County
Missouri
60.6
Crawford County
Missouri
42

Deep Dives

Iron County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Iron County

via TaxByCounty

Iron County below national average

Iron County's effective rate of 0.651% sits below the national median of 0.94%, landing it near the 25th percentile nationally. With a median home value of $113,000, residents pay $736 annually—roughly 27% of the national median property tax of $2,690.

Below Missouri's statewide average

Iron County's 0.651% rate runs below Missouri's state average of 0.733%, placing it among the more affordable counties in the state. The median tax of $736 sits well below the state median of $1,199, making Iron a relatively low-tax destination.

Mid-range in regional comparison

Iron County's 0.651% rate sits between Howell County's lower 0.554% and Hickory County's exceptional 0.472%, while running well below Jackson County's 1.148%. Among its peer group, Iron offers solid tax affordability in the mid-range.

Iron County tax calculation

On Iron's median home value of $113,000, the effective rate of 0.651% produces an annual tax of approximately $736, or about $61 per month. Including mortgage-related assessments, the annual bill can reach roughly $875.

Review your Iron County assessment

Iron County homeowners should periodically verify their property assessment against recent comparable sales in their neighborhood. If your assessed value appears misaligned with similar properties, you have the right to file an appeal under Missouri law.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Iron County

via IncomeByCounty

Iron County significantly behind nationally

Iron County's median household income of $51,161 falls 31.6% below the national median of $74,755. This income deficit reflects long-standing economic challenges in mining-dependent regions.

Below average across Missouri

At $51,161, Iron County trails Missouri's state average of $59,503 by 14.0%, placing it among the lower-income counties statewide. Economic stagnation remains a persistent challenge.

Slightly above Howell and Hickory

Iron County's $51,161 income ranks sixth among these eight counties, edging out Howell ($49,814) and Hickory ($35,084) but trailing Harrison and Henry. Regional income disparities remain pronounced.

Manageable housing affordability

Iron County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.7% signals healthy housing affordability. The median home value of $113,000 remains within reasonable reach for local households.

Start where you are, build steadily

Iron County's per capita income of $26,755 requires disciplined savings, but even small monthly contributions compound significantly over time. Leveraging employer retirement plans and employer matches should be a priority.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Iron County

via CrimeByCounty

Iron County Ranks Among the Safest

Iron County boasts an exceptional safety score of 99.2, making it one of the safest counties in the nation. Its total crime rate of 492.8 per 100K is 80% lower than the national average.

A Safety Leader in Missouri

Iron County far exceeds the Missouri average safety score of 97.0. Six agencies collaborate to maintain a crime rate that is nearly four times lower than the state average.

Setting the Standard for the Region

With a crime rate of only 492.8 per 100K, Iron County is significantly safer than neighboring jurisdictions. It serves as a regional model for low-crime communities.

Extremely Low Property Crime Rates

Property crime is remarkably rare at 272.6 per 100K, compared to the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also low at 220.2, making it a very secure place to live.

Maintain the Community's Safe Reputation

Basic security habits like locking vehicles and garages go a long way in this high-safety area. Consistent neighborhood awareness helps Iron County remain a leader in public safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Iron County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Silty Clay Loam Entisols

Iron County is characterized by silty clay loam soils within the Entisols order, showing an average pH of 5.64. This is significantly more acidic than the national 6.5 median and the state's 6.09 average. These young, undeveloped soils are typical of the rugged, rocky terrain found in the St. Francois Mountains.

Lower Clay Mix with High Silt

The soil contains 48.5% silt and only 11.6% clay, making it one of the less clayey profiles in the state. Sand accounts for 21.8% of the mix, contributing to a texture that is easier to work than heavy clays. However, the low clay content can limit the soil's ability to hold onto certain nutrients over time.

Extreme Organic Matter Levels Recorded

Iron County boasts a massive 14.70% organic matter content, nearly triple the Missouri state average of 4.74%. Despite this richness, the Available Water Capacity is very low at 0.152 in/in, well below the state benchmark of 0.183 in/in. This suggests that while the soil is nutrient-dense, it is very porous and drains water quickly.

Well Drained with High Runoff Risk

Classified as well drained, the soil belongs to hydrologic group C, which means it has a slow infiltration rate. This can lead to significant surface runoff during heavy Ozark rains despite the soil's ability to eventually dry out. Builders should be cautious of erosion and water management when working on slopes.

Mountain Gardening in Zone 6b

The 6b Hardiness Zone and incredible organic matter levels make this area unique for specialized gardening. A soil score of 58.3 suggests challenges, but native plants and acid-loving berries will thrive here. Embrace the natural richness of the soil and plant a forest garden that loves the mountain air.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Iron County

via LawnByCounty

Uphill Battle for Iron County Lawns

With a lawn difficulty score of only 40.9, Iron County is one of the most challenging places in Missouri to grow grass. Homeowners here face conditions significantly tougher than the national average score of 50.0.

Unpredictable Weather Patterns

While specific temperature and precipitation averages are unavailable for this county, the high lawn difficulty score suggests volatile growing conditions. Local gardeners must rely on neighbor-to-neighbor knowledge and on-site monitoring to manage their watering schedules.

Acidic Silty Clay Loam Needs Lime

The soil pH of 5.64 is quite acidic and well below the ideal range for a thriving lawn. You will likely need lime amendments to balance this well-drained silty clay loam, which contains only 11.6% clay.

Severe Drought Affects One-Fifth of County

Iron County endured 28 weeks of drought over the past year, stressing even established root systems. Currently, 20.9% of the area is in severe drought (D2+), making water conservation and mulching essential for survival.

Prioritize Soil Prep in Zone 6b

In this zone 6b environment, focus on heat-tolerant fescue blends that can handle acidic soil better than bluegrass. Start with a soil test to address the 5.64 pH before seeding to give your new grass the best chance at establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Iron County's county score?
Iron County, Missouri has a composite county score of 57.7 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 Iron County rank among counties in Missouri?
Iron County ranks #29 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 Iron County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Iron County is $810, with an effective tax rate of 0.68%. This earns Iron County a tax score of 62.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Iron County?
The median household income in Iron County, Missouri is $48,850 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Iron County earns an income score of 9.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Iron County, Missouri a good place to live?
Iron County scores 57.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Iron 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 Iron 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.