CountyScore

Knox County

Missouri · MO

#41 in Missouri
71.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Knox County, Missouri

Knox scores in top quartile nationally

Knox County's composite score of 75.8 ranks it at the 76th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. It's among the more livable rural counties in America based on tax and housing affordability alone.

Outperforms Missouri state average

With a score of 75.8, Knox exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the upper third of the state's 115 counties. It's one of the stronger performers statewide on the measured livability dimensions.

Most affordable housing in this set

Knox County's standout cost score of 87.3 reflects the lowest median home value ($97,200) and near-lowest rent ($661/month) in this county group. The tax score of 79.7 and 0.802% effective rate further reinforce affordability across the board.

Lowest incomes limit economic opportunity

Knox's income score of 18.2 and median household income of just $53,333 lag significantly behind state norms. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and water leave other livability drivers unclear.

Retirees and minimalists seeking rock-bottom costs

Knox County is ideal for fixed-income retirees, remote workers, or families willing to trade income growth for exceptionally low housing and tax costs. This is rural Missouri at its most affordable—but residents must research available services and job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.7Cost87.3SafetyComing SoonHealth57SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.2Risk79WaterComing Soon
🏛79.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡79
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 Knox County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tallapoosa County
Alabama
71.4
Median income: $57,185
Van Buren County
Arkansas
71.4
Median income: $47,266
Audubon County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $54,152
Butler County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $69,651
Jones County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $73,071

Deep Dives

Knox County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Knox County

via CostByCounty

Knox County: Missouri's affordability standout

Knox County renters spend only 14.9% of income on rent, well below the national burden of 18.3%, making it one of the most affordable counties nationally. Though median income of $53,333 falls below the U.S. average, housing costs are exceptionally low at just $661 monthly.

Best-in-class Missouri affordability

Knox County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.9% bests Missouri's state average of 15.6%, while its $661 median rent is the lowest among comparable counties. This combination makes Knox a standout for budget-conscious residents across income levels.

Significantly cheaper than regional peers

Knox County's $661 rent is 27% cheaper than Jasper County ($904) and nearly 40% cheaper than Jefferson County ($972). Despite lower regional incomes, Knox delivers exceptional affordability that outpaces most neighboring counties by a wide margin.

Housing leaves room in small budgets

Renters pay just $661 monthly while homeowners average $619 from a $53,333 median household income. Housing accounts for only 14–15% of pre-tax income, allowing residents to stretch limited earnings across other essential expenses.

Unbeatable affordability for rural preference

Knox County is Missouri's best choice for renters and buyers prioritizing low housing costs and rural living. If affordable housing is your primary goal and you're willing to trade urban amenities for small-town life, Knox County delivers unmatched value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Knox County

via HealthByCounty

Knox's life expectancy masks hidden struggles

Knox County's 75.7-year life expectancy is respectable relative to the U.S. average of 78.9 years, yet 24.6% of residents report poor or fair health—the worst rate in this eight-county set. This sharp contrast suggests Knox residents are aging with chronic conditions and functional limits despite reasonable longevity. The gap between length and quality of life signals significant underlying health challenges.

Knox balances life expectancy against illness rates

Knox's 75.7-year life expectancy edges above Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.4 years, but its 24.6% poor/fair health rate far exceeds state norms. An uninsured rate of 16.7% is the highest among these eight counties and well above Missouri's 12.5% average. Knox presents a puzzling profile: longer lives, but lived with more illness and less insurance protection.

Knox's health burden stands apart

While Knox tops the region in life expectancy at 75.7 years, its 24.6% poor/fair health rate is dramatically higher than neighbors like Jefferson (17.6%) and Johnson (17.5%)—a gap of 7+ percentage points. Knox also carries the region's highest uninsured rate at 16.7%, outpacing Jasper (14.0%) and Lawrence (15.1%). This combination suggests Knox residents face steeper health barriers despite longer lifespans.

Limited data on providers, urgent coverage gaps

Primary care provider data for Knox is not currently available, making it difficult to assess routine care access; however, mental health services are scarce at just 54 per 100,000 residents. The county's 16.7% uninsured rate compounds these gaps, leaving many residents unable to afford what care does exist. Behavioral health needs appear particularly underserved in this county.

Securing coverage is urgent in Knox

Knox's uninsured rate is a critical issue—nearly 1 in 6 residents lack basic coverage, limiting access to mental health and primary care. Visit Healthcare.gov or call a benefits counselor today to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans tailored to your income. Coverage is the first step toward managing the chronic conditions affecting so many Knox County residents.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Knox County

via RiskByCounty

Knox ranks among safest counties

Knox County's composite risk score of 21.02 places it well below the national average with a Very Low rating. Residents face significantly less natural disaster exposure than most U.S. counties.

One of Missouri's safest counties

Knox County's 21.02 score ranks among the lowest in Missouri, sitting far below the state average of 50.56. The county offers substantially lower natural hazard exposure than most Missouri communities.

Safest county in the region

Knox County (21.02) faces dramatically lower risk than neighbors Lewis County (27.39) and all surrounding areas. It represents one of the safest natural disaster environments in northern Missouri.

Minimal hazard exposure countywide

Knox County's highest risk comes from wildfire (35.27) and flood (23.28), both well below state averages. Overall natural disaster risk remains limited and manageable across the county.

Standard insurance remains appropriate

Knox County homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance for adequate protection; flood insurance is optional but inexpensive. The county's low-risk profile means residents can allocate insurance budgets confidently without excess coverage.

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.