Jasper County

Missouri · MO

#108 in Missouri
64.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Jasper County, Missouri

Jasper scores well above national median

With a composite score of 72.2, Jasper County ranks in the 72nd percentile nationally—well above the national median of 50.0. This places it among the more livable counties in the country based on tax burden, housing affordability, and income metrics.

Slightly below Missouri's typical county

Jasper's score of 72.2 falls just below Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 115 counties. While not a top performer statewide, it remains a solid choice for families seeking reasonably balanced livability.

Strong on taxes and housing costs

Jasper County shines with a tax score of 81.5 and cost score of 78.0, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.739% and median home values of $158,500. Renters benefit too, with median gross rent at $904 per month—well below national norms for comparable markets.

Income growth lags behind state

The county's income score of 20.9 is notably weak, with a median household income of $57,525 trailing state norms. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is not yet available, limiting a fuller picture of livability challenges.

Budget-conscious families seeking affordability

Jasper County works best for retirees and working families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher wages. The county offers solid baseline livability at a low cost—though prospective residents should investigate school quality and safety independently.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.5Cost78SafetyComing SoonHealth62.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.9Risk14.4WaterComing Soon
🏛81.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠78
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
62.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
14.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Jasper County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jasper County

via TaxByCounty

Jasper's tax rate sits below the national norm

At 0.739%, Jasper County's effective property tax rate runs slightly above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, but significantly below the national median of 0.935%. Homeowners here pay roughly $1,171 annually on a median home valued at $158,500—less than half the national median property tax of $2,690, thanks to lower home values across the region.

Jasper ranks mid-range among Missouri counties

Jasper's effective tax rate places it roughly in the middle of Missouri's 115 counties, just slightly above the state average. The median tax bill of $1,171 is comparable to the statewide median of $1,199, making this a fairly typical Missouri county for property tax burden.

Jasper compares favorably to regional peers

Jasper's 0.739% rate falls between adjacent Lawrence County (0.606%) and Jefferson County (0.839%), positioning it as a moderate-tax option in south-central Missouri. Neighboring Johnson County offers a lower rate at 0.684%, while Laclede County to the north taxes at 0.652%—making Jasper slightly pricier than some western neighbors.

A $158,500 home costs about $1,171 yearly

The typical Jasper County homeowner with a median-valued property pays approximately $1,171 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation typically rises to $1,242 due to escrow requirements; without a mortgage, taxes drop to $1,018.

Many Jasper homeowners are overassessed

Property assessments aren't always accurate, and overassessed homeowners have a right to appeal. If you believe your home's assessed value doesn't match its true market value, filing a formal appeal with Jasper County could lower your annual tax bill.

Cost of Living in Jasper County

via CostByCounty

Jasper rents bite harder than average

Jasper County renters spend 18.9% of their income on housing, outpacing the national norm by 3.4 percentage points. Meanwhile, median household income here sits at $57,525, nearly $17,200 below the U.S. average, making every dollar of rent feel heavier.

Above average strain in Missouri

Jasper's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% ranks it among the more burdened counties in Missouri, where the state average is 15.6%. At $904 monthly rent, Jasper residents pay $136 more than Missouri's median—a gap that compounds quickly on modest incomes.

Pricier than comparable counties

Jasper's $904 median rent compares unfavorably to nearby Lawrence County ($785) and Knox County ($661), both of which have lower rent-to-income ratios despite similar income levels. Renters here face a 37% higher monthly cost than in Knox County.

Housing costs squeeze Jasper incomes

Rent consumes $904 monthly while homeowners pay $924, leaving limited room in a $57,525 median household budget. Combined, housing takes up roughly 19% of pre-tax income for renters and 19% for owners—both above comfortable thresholds.

Shop nearby for better affordability

If Jasper's housing costs feel steep, neighboring Lawrence and Knox counties offer significantly lower rents without sacrificing regional access. A move south or east could cut your monthly housing bill by $140–$240 while keeping you in the same regional job market.

Income & Jobs in Jasper County

via IncomeByCounty

Jasper lags behind national income

Jasper County's median household income of $57,525 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $17,230 annually. This gap places Jasper below the national middle, meaning households here earn roughly 77 cents for every dollar earned nationwide.

Below-average income for Missouri

Jasper's median income of $57,525 ranks below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the lower half of the state's counties. However, per capita income of $29,914 nearly matches the state average of $31,011, suggesting a more distributed income base.

Jasper earns more than rural peers

Compared to neighboring Knox County ($53,333) and Laclede County ($50,825), Jasper households earn significantly more, with an advantage of $4,000–$7,000 annually. Jasper outperforms these rural peers, though it lags Johnson County ($67,123) to the east.

Housing remains affordable here

Jasper's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% sits just above the national standard of 18%, meaning housing costs stay manageable for renters. With median home values at $158,500, homeownership remains within reach for many households.

Build financial resilience now

Jasper households should prioritize building emergency savings and exploring employer retirement plans to strengthen long-term financial security. Starting an investment strategy now—even with modest contributions—can compound significant gains over decades and help bridge the income gap with wealthier regions.

Health in Jasper County

via HealthByCounty

Jasper lags behind national health benchmarks

Jasper County residents live an average of 73.8 years, about 5 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.6%) report poor or fair health, outpacing national norms. These gaps suggest Jasper faces steeper health challenges than much of the country.

Health outcomes trail Missouri peers

At 73.8 years, Jasper's life expectancy sits 0.5 years below Missouri's 74.3-year average, placing it in the lower tier statewide. With 19.6% of residents in poor or fair health, the county ranks among the state's most challenged counties. These figures point to concentrated health struggles within Jasper.

Jasper compared to regional counties

Jasper's 73.8-year life expectancy falls short of neighbors like Johnson County (75.5 years) and Jefferson County (75.0 years), a 1-2 year gap. Its 19.6% poor/fair health rate mirrors Lawrence County (19.4%) but exceeds Jefferson's 17.6%. Both metrics suggest Jasper residents face similar or somewhat greater health headwinds than surrounding areas.

Healthcare access remains uneven

Jasper has 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than triple the state median—yet 14.0% of residents lack health insurance, above Missouri's 12.5% average. With 270 mental health providers per 100,000, access to behavioral care is robust, but gaps in insurance coverage may prevent vulnerable residents from using it. This disparity suggests supply doesn't always translate to real access for all.

Options exist to close the coverage gap

If you're among Jasper's uninsured, marketplace plans and Medicaid expansion may be within reach—especially with tax credits that can offset premiums. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore plans matching your income and family size. Even part-time or self-employed residents often qualify for affordable coverage.

Disaster Risk in Jasper County

via RiskByCounty

Jasper ranks above average nationally

Jasper County's composite risk score of 85.59 places it well above the national average, earning a Relatively Moderate rating. This means residents face greater-than-typical exposure to natural hazards compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Missouri's riskier counties

Jasper's 85.59 score significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the higher-risk counties in the state. The county's risk level reflects concentrated hazard exposure across multiple threat types.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Jasper faces notably higher composite risk (85.59) than neighboring Lawrence County (66.22) and Laclede County (66.03). Its risk profile stands out in the region, driven by particularly acute tornado and flood dangers.

Tornadoes and floods dominate Jasper

Tornado risk reaches 95.64 in Jasper County—one of the state's highest levels—while flood risk stands at 84.89. These two hazards account for the county's elevated overall risk and pose the most frequent threats to homes and infrastructure.

Prioritize comprehensive storm coverage

Given Jasper's extreme tornado and flood exposure, homeowners should verify their policies explicitly cover tornado damage and flooding. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage; contact your agent about a separate flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program.

ByCounty Network

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