countyscore
65.2
County Score
Safety 92.6Water Quality 86Cost of Living 84.3

County Report Card

About Knox County, Missouri

Well Above National Performance

Knox County boasts a high composite score of 66.0, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This places it in the upper tier of American counties for overall quality of life.

A Leading Missouri County

With a 66.0 composite score, Knox County easily clears the Missouri state average of 50.3. It stands out as one of the premier locations for livability in the state.

Top-Tier Safety and Affordability

The county is incredibly safe, earning a safety score of 92.6. Living here is also highly affordable, with a cost score of 86.0 and median rent of only $661.

Lower Earnings and Health Scores

While housing is cheap, the income score of 21.4 indicates lower typical earnings for the region. Health access also trails other metrics with a score of 26.6.

A Haven for Secure, Low-Cost Living

Knox County is perfect for retirees or families who prioritize safety and low overhead above all else. With homes averaging $97,200, it offers one of the best cost-of-living profiles in the state.

204060801004884.392.626.666.427.6798652Tax48Cost84.3Safety92.6Health26.6Schools66.4Income27.6Risk79Water86Weather5265.2/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Knox County DNA

D+overall

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

Knox County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (92.6/100) but notably weak in Income (27.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
48
Cost
84.3+36.3
Safety
92.6+37.599999999999994
Health
26.6-23.4
Schools
66.4+12.400000000000006
Income
27.6-23.4
Risk
79+32
Water
86+28
Weather
52
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$101,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$666/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$101,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,788/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Marshall County
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Montgomery County
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Newton County
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Bear Lake County
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Nearby counties

Shelby County
Missouri
59.7
Scotland County
Missouri
59.8
Adair County
Missouri
45
Lewis County
Missouri
63
Macon County
Missouri
55.7
Clark County
Missouri
55.5
Schuyler County
Missouri
56.7
Marion County
Missouri
42.8

Deep Dives

Knox County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Knox County

via TaxByCounty

Knox County taxes above state average

At 0.802%, Knox County's effective tax rate exceeds Missouri's 0.733% average, though the median property tax of just $780 remains far below the national median of $2,690. Lower home values—the median sits at just $97,200—keep absolute tax bills modest despite a relatively high rate.

Knox ranks in upper-middle tier statewide

Knox County's 0.802% effective rate places it solidly above the Missouri average, positioning it in the upper-middle range of the state's 115 counties. The low median property tax of $780 reflects the county's affordable housing market, not its tax structure.

Knox taxes higher than most western neighbors

Knox County's 0.802% rate exceeds nearly all regional peers, with only Jefferson County at 0.839% running higher among the eight-county group. Lawrence County (0.606%), Johnson County (0.684%), and Laclede County (0.652%) all offer notably lower rates.

A $97,200 home costs about $780 yearly

The median Knox County homeowner pays approximately $780 annually in property taxes—the lowest absolute bill in this region. With a mortgage, that typically rises to $1,000; without one, it drops to $656.

Rural homeowners should verify assessments too

Even in affordable markets like Knox County, properties can be overassessed relative to true market value. If your property's assessed value seems out of step with comparable homes, file an appeal with the county assessor.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Knox County

via IncomeByCounty

Knox earns well below national

Knox County's median household income of $53,333 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $21,422 annually. This significant gap means Knox households earn roughly 71 cents for every dollar earned nationally, placing the county in lower-income territory.

Among Missouri's lowest earners

Knox County's $53,333 median income ranks among Missouri's lowest, trailing the state average of $59,503 by more than $6,000. Per capita income of $26,225 also significantly lags the state average of $31,011, indicating economic challenges.

Knox struggles versus nearby peers

Knox County ($53,333) earns less than all surveyed neighbors, including Laclede County ($50,825) by a narrow margin, but faces steeper gaps with Jasper ($57,525) and Johnson County ($67,123). This pattern suggests Knox is among the region's most economically distressed counties.

Housing is genuinely affordable

Knox's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% ranks well below the national 18% standard, providing relief for renters. Median home values of just $97,200 offer the state's most accessible homeownership pathway, making housing costs negligible relative to income.

Start small, build momentum

Knox County residents should prioritize building emergency savings of $500–$1,000 before investing, then explore low-cost index funds and employer retirement benefits. Even modest monthly contributions to savings accounts and automated investments can create meaningful financial security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Knox County

via CrimeByCounty

Extraordinary Safety Scores in Knox County

Knox County reports a total crime rate of just 106.0 per 100,000, dwarfing the national average of 2,385.5. The county achieves a nearly perfect safety score of 99.8.

Among the Safest in Missouri

Knox County’s safety score of 99.8 far exceeds the state average of 97.0. However, with only one agency reporting, residents should interpret these exceptionally low numbers with caution.

Significantly Safer Than Lewis County

Knox County’s crime rate of 106.0 is less than a quarter of neighboring Lewis County's rate of 480.7. This makes Knox one of the lowest-crime areas in the entire Northeast Missouri region.

Zero Violent Crimes Reported

Data shows zero violent crimes per 100,000 residents, a rare statistic nationwide. The minimal property crime rate of 106.0 indicates that criminal activity is an infrequent occurrence for this community.

Keep Your Community Secure

While crime is statistically very low, maintaining community ties and looking out for neighbors is key. Simple precautions like locking vehicles at night help preserve the county's safe environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Knox County

via WeatherByCounty

Precipitation Trends in Knox County

While temperature data is currently limited for Knox County, its 42.4 inches of annual precipitation is higher than the national average. This moisture supports the region's agricultural landscape.

Snowier Than the Missouri Average

Knox County receives 19.8 inches of annual snowfall, which is significantly higher than many other Missouri counties. Its total precipitation of 42.4 inches is slightly lower than the state average of 43.8 inches.

A Northern Snow Leader

Knox County stands out regionally for its 19.8 inches of snow, nearly double what Howard County receives. This suggests a much colder winter profile than counties just a few hours south.

Significant Snowfall Defines the Year

Although specific summer and winter temperature averages are unavailable, the 19.8 inches of annual snowfall indicates a robust winter season. The county remains consistently wet with over 42 inches of total precipitation.

Winter Readiness is Key in Knox

Given the 19.8-inch snow average, residents should prioritize heavy-duty winter gear and vehicle winterization. High annual precipitation also makes consistent home drainage and roof maintenance important.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Knox County

via SoilByCounty

Near-Neutral pH in Knox County

Knox County soils boast a pH of 6.41, nearly matching the national median of 6.5. This near-neutral balance is ideal for nutrient availability and reflects an impressive overall soil score of 78.4.

A Stable Silt-Clay Blend

The composition consists of 61.3% silt and 22.7% clay, with very little sand at 15.9%. This mix provides a stable, dense medium that prevents fertilizers from leaching away too quickly.

Top-Tier Water Holding Capacity

At 0.213 in/in, the available water capacity is among the best in the state, far exceeding the 0.183 in/in average. The organic matter content is 2.66%, offering a healthy foundation for diverse agricultural uses.

Navigating Subaqueous Soil Records

Dominant records indicate subaqueous drainage, meaning these soils are frequently saturated or underwater. Proper site selection is critical in Knox County to ensure garden beds have the drainage they need to thrive.

Hardy Crops for Zone 6a

The colder winters of Zone 6a are perfect for hardy root vegetables and berries. This county's excellent water capacity and neutral pH provide a premium environment for any aspiring gardener.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Knox County

via LawnByCounty

Solid Growing Potential in Knox

Knox County earns a respectable lawn score of 65.7, outperforming the state average of 63.7. This 6a hardiness zone is well-suited for northern grass varieties that prefer cooler temperatures.

Reliable Rainfall for Cool-Season Grass

The county averages 42.4 inches of rain annually, providing a consistent water supply for thirsty lawns. This precipitation level is just slightly below the Missouri state average but falls within the ideal range for turf.

Perfect pH but Drainage Challenges

A soil pH of 6.41 is nearly perfect for nutrient absorption, requiring few chemical amendments. However, a 22.7% clay content and subaqueous drainage class mean you must manage water carefully to avoid root rot.

Recovering from Significant Drought

Last year saw 37 weeks of drought, and 100% of the county currently faces abnormally dry conditions. With 1.7% of the area in severe drought, prioritize moisture retention through mulching and proper mowing heights.

Focus on Cold-Hardy Cultivars

Hardy cool-season grasses are the most successful choice for the 6a climate in Knox County. Focus on improving soil drainage in the spring to prepare your lawn for any summer dry spells.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Knox County's county score?
Knox County, Missouri has a composite county score of 65.2 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 Knox County rank among counties in Missouri?
Knox County ranks #3 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 Knox County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Knox County is $842, with an effective tax rate of 0.83%. This earns Knox County a tax score of 48/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Knox County?
The median household income in Knox County, Missouri is $57,788 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Knox County earns an income score of 27.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Knox County, Missouri a good place to live?
Knox County scores 65.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Knox 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 Knox 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.