CountyScore

Johnson County

Missouri · MO

#70 in Missouri
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Johnson County, Missouri

Johnson ranks solidly in top tier nationally

Johnson County's composite score of 72.6 places it at the 73rd percentile nationally, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This ranks it among the more desirable counties in America based on current measured livability factors.

Slightly above Missouri's county average

With a score of 72.6, Johnson edges above Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking it in the upper-middle tier statewide. It outperforms roughly two-thirds of Missouri's 115 counties on composite livability.

Lowest taxes in this county set

Johnson County leads with a tax score of 83.0 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.684%, giving residents maximum tax relief. A cost score of 76.1 and median home values of $221,400 offer reasonable affordability for homebuyers seeking rural-adjacent living.

Moderate income levels are a concern

The income score of 27.2 reflects a median household income of $67,123—solid but trailing some peer counties in this cohort. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality prevent a complete livability assessment.

Tax-averse families seeking rural character

Johnson County appeals to folks who want low taxes, manageable housing costs, and small-town character without sacrificing reasonable incomes. Prospective residents should verify school quality and community services align with their family needs.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83Cost76.1SafetyComing SoonHealth69SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.2Risk45.1WaterComing Soon
🏛83
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45.1
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 Johnson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Johnson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Johnson County

via TaxByCounty

Johnson County offers below-average tax rates

At 0.684%, Johnson County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below Missouri's 0.733% average and well below the national median of 0.935%. The median property tax of $1,515 on a home valued at $221,400 reflects lower rates despite moderate home prices compared to national norms.

Johnson ranks among Missouri's lowest-tax counties

Johnson County's 0.684% rate places it in the lower quartile of Missouri's 115 counties, offering property owners some of the state's best tax rates. The median tax bill of $1,515, while above the state median of $1,199, reflects the county's relatively high home values rather than high tax burden.

Johnson offers competitive rates in the region

At 0.684%, Johnson County ties with Lawrence County as one of the region's lowest-tax options, trailing only Laclede County (0.652%). Compared to Jasper (0.739%) and Jefferson (0.839%), Johnson delivers clear tax savings for homeowners.

A $221,400 home costs about $1,515 yearly

The typical Johnson County homeowner pays approximately $1,515 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow requirements typically increase that to $1,549; without a mortgage, it drops to $1,470.

Even low-tax counties have overassessed homes

Johnson County's favorable rates don't mean every property is assessed correctly. Homeowners who believe their assessed value exceeds the property's true market worth should file an appeal with the county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Johnson County

via CostByCounty

Johnson County near national average

Johnson County renters devote 16.2% of income to housing, slightly below the national burden of 18.3%, suggesting moderate affordability. Median household income of $67,123 trails the U.S. average by $7,632, yet housing costs remain manageable relative to earnings.

Better than most Missouri counties

Johnson County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% sits slightly above Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it near the middle of county affordability rankings. At $905 median rent, Johnson residents pay marginally more than the state median of $768.

Balanced pricing in regional comparison

Johnson County's $905 rent and $67,123 income position it between higher-income Jefferson County and lower-income Laclede County. The rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% reflects a middle ground—not the most affordable, but competitive among central Missouri options.

Housing takes fair share of budget

Renters spend $905 monthly and homeowners $1,053 on housing costs from a $67,123 median household income. Housing consumes roughly 16–19% of pre-tax income—a reasonable but non-trivial portion that requires careful budgeting.

Solid middle ground for value seekers

Johnson County offers balanced housing costs without the premium prices of Jefferson or the severe affordability gaps of Jasper and Laclede. If you're seeking moderate rent with decent local employment and community amenities, this county deserves serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Johnson County

via IncomeByCounty

Johnson meets lower national standard

Johnson County's median household income of $67,123 sits about $7,630 below the national median of $74,755. While not bottom-tier, Johnson trails the U.S. average by roughly 10%, placing households just shy of the national middle.

Above Missouri's county average

Johnson County's $67,123 median income ranks above Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Per capita income of $32,093 also exceeds the state average of $31,011, indicating relatively balanced earnings.

Johnson outearns rural neighbors

Johnson's median income of $67,123 substantially exceeds Jasper County ($57,525), Lawrence County ($55,849), and other rural neighbors. However, Jefferson County ($80,522) and Lafayette County ($79,091) earn notably more, reflecting their proximity to major job centers.

Rent and housing stay affordable

Johnson's rent-to-income ratio of 16.2% ranks well below the national 18% threshold, ensuring renters keep more income for other needs. Median home values of $221,400 remain manageable relative to household earnings, supporting homeownership accessibility.

Invest steadily for security

Johnson households should commit to regular retirement savings and consider diversified investment accounts to capitalize on their stable income position. Strategic financial planning now—including automated savings and budget optimization—can accelerate wealth accumulation over the long term.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Johnson County

via HealthByCounty

Johnson's life expectancy nears national norms

Johnson County's 75.5-year life expectancy sits within 3.4 years of the U.S. average of 78.9 years—among the stronger showings in this county set. Just 17.5% of residents report poor or fair health, beating national trends by a notable margin. Johnson stands out as one of Missouri's healthier counties by these key measures.

Johnson exceeds Missouri health standards

At 75.5 years, Johnson County's life expectancy surpasses Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.2 years, placing it in the state's healthier tier. With 17.5% of residents in poor or fair health—tied with Jefferson for the lowest rate—Johnson shows consistent strength in population wellbeing. An uninsured rate of 10.5% also outperforms the state average of 12.5%.

Johnson rivals regional health leaders

Johnson's 75.5-year life expectancy tops most neighbors, exceeded only by Knox County (75.7 years) by a narrow margin. Its 17.5% poor/fair health rate ties Jefferson County for the best in the region, suggesting strong preventive health culture. Johnson competes with its healthiest peers on nearly every metric.

Uninsured rates low, but doctor access tight

Johnson County's 10.5% uninsured rate sits well below Missouri's 12.5% baseline, reflecting solid insurance uptake among residents. Yet with only 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, scheduling a visit to your family doctor may require patience or a referral chain. Mental health services (233 per 100K) are robust, offering better access to behavioral care than primary care.

Keep your coverage strong

Johnson's low uninsured rate reflects community success in securing coverage—maintain that momentum by reviewing your plan annually on Healthcare.gov. If your coverage lapses or becomes unaffordable, reach out to a local benefits counselor immediately to explore options. Continuous coverage ensures you can access those in-demand primary care appointments.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Johnson County

via RiskByCounty

Johnson ranks near national average

Johnson County's composite risk score of 54.93 hovers near the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating. The county faces moderate natural disaster exposure compared to the typical U.S. county.

Below Missouri's average risk level

Johnson County's 54.93 score sits just above Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the lower-risk category within the state. Residents face less hazard exposure than many other Missouri counties.

Less risky than surrounding areas

Johnson County (54.93) faces notably lower risk than neighbors Jefferson County (90.52) and Lafayette County (52.51) sits nearby at similar levels. The county occupies a relatively safer position in the region.

Tornadoes and floods pose most concern

Tornado risk in Johnson County reaches 57.16, while flood risk stands at 59.67—both moderate but manageable threats. These two hazards represent the county's primary natural disaster concerns.

Standard coverage with flood protection

Johnson County homeowners should ensure their policies cover tornado damage and purchase separate flood insurance for complete protection. The county's moderate risk profile makes comprehensive coverage both affordable and essential.

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.