CountyScore

Laclede County

Missouri · MO

#89 in Missouri
67.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Laclede County, Missouri

Laclede ranks in top quartile nationally

Laclede County's composite score of 74.3 places it at the 74th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This ranks it among America's more livable counties, particularly on tax and housing affordability metrics.

Nearly matches Missouri's state average

With a score of 74.3, Laclede sits just below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it squarely in the middle-to-upper tier of the state's 115 counties. It's a solid, unremarkable performer statewide—reliable without standout advantages.

Lowest tax burden in this group

Laclede County leads with a tax score of 83.9 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.652%, offering residents maximum tax savings. The cost score of 81.6, median home value of $158,000, and median rent of $796 make it genuinely affordable.

Income lags significantly behind peers

Laclede's income score of 16.6 reflects a median household income of just $50,825—among the lowest in this county set. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable, obscuring the full livability picture.

Retirees and cost-conscious households thrive here

Laclede County suits retirees on modest pensions and families prioritizing tax relief and low housing costs above high wages. The county delivers exceptional affordability for rural Ozark living, though job seekers should verify employment opportunities locally.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.9Cost81.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.6Risk34WaterComing Soon
🏛83.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34
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 Laclede County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Lee County
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Clark County
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Median income: $70,625

Deep Dives

Laclede County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Laclede County

via TaxByCounty

Laclede County has low property tax rates

At 0.652%, Laclede County's effective tax rate sits well below Missouri's 0.733% average and far below the national median of 0.935%. The median property tax of $1,031 on a home valued at $158,000 reflects one of the region's most tax-friendly environments.

Laclede ranks among Missouri's lowest-tax counties

Laclede County's 0.652% effective rate places it in the bottom quartile of Missouri's 115 counties, offering property owners some of the state's best tax deals. The median tax of $1,031 sits comfortably below Missouri's median of $1,199.

Laclede offers the region's lowest tax burden

Laclede County's 0.652% rate is the lowest among all eight counties in this analysis, beating Lawrence County (0.606%) and Johnson County (0.684%). For homeowners prioritizing low property taxes, Laclede delivers measurable savings compared to Jasper (0.739%) or Jefferson (0.839%).

A $158,000 home costs about $1,031 yearly

The typical Laclede County homeowner pays approximately $1,031 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that obligation typically rises to $1,120 due to escrow; without one, it drops to $913.

Low-tax counties still have overassessed homes

Favorable tax rates don't guarantee accurate assessments in Laclede County. If you believe your property's assessed value exceeds its true market worth, a formal appeal to the county assessor may reduce your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Laclede County

via CostByCounty

Laclede County faces affordability pressure

Laclede County renters spend 18.8% of income on housing, nearly matching the national burden of 18.3% despite lower earnings. Median household income of $50,825 ranks among Missouri's lowest, making every $796 monthly rent feel substantial.

Above-average strain for Missouri residents

Laclede County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it among the state's most burdened counties. While rent of $796 approximates the state median, lower incomes intensify the affordability squeeze.

Pricier despite lower regional income

Laclede's $796 rent falls between the cheaper Knox County ($661) and more expensive Jefferson County ($972), but its $50,825 income is among the region's lowest. This mismatch—moderate rent on minimal income—creates significant affordability stress.

Rent eats heavily into small income

Renters spend $796 monthly while homeowners pay $826 from just $50,825 median household income. Housing consumes roughly 19% of pre-tax income—above the 15% comfort threshold—leaving limited flexibility for other necessities.

Compare county options if relocating

If Laclede's housing burden feels tight, nearby Knox and Lewis counties offer lower rents, while Johnson County provides comparable costs with stronger regional economic activity. Before committing, explore neighboring counties where your income might go further or job prospects improve.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Laclede County

via IncomeByCounty

Laclede trails national income

Laclede County's median household income of $50,825 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $24,000 annually. This substantial gap places Laclede households in the lower-income category, earning roughly 68 cents per national dollar.

One of Missouri's lowest incomes

Laclede County ranks among Missouri's lowest-earning counties, with median income of $50,825 well below the state average of $59,503. Per capita income of $28,202 also trails the state average of $31,011, indicating limited individual earning power.

Laclede edges out Knox County

Laclede's $50,825 income barely exceeds Knox County ($53,333), but both fall far behind Jasper County ($57,525) and Johnson County ($67,123). This clustering suggests a rural economic belt with historically lower wage and employment opportunities.

Housing affordability is strong

Laclede's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% nearly matches the national standard of 18%, providing reasonable rental affordability. Median home values of $158,000 remain modest, though limited income makes homeownership financing challenging for many households.

Build financial stability first

Laclede residents should focus on establishing robust emergency savings and exploring free financial counseling services before investing. Community development financial institutions and employer benefits offer accessible pathways to build wealth, even with constrained budgets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Laclede County

via HealthByCounty

Laclede faces significant life expectancy gap

Laclede County's 72.3-year life expectancy is the lowest among these eight counties and a striking 6.6 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 21.8% of residents in poor or fair health, Laclede shows concentrated health struggles that ripple across the population. This gap signals a county grappling with serious public health challenges.

Laclede ranks among Missouri's most challenged

At 72.3 years, Laclede's life expectancy lags Missouri's 74.3-year average by 2.0 years—one of the state's worst figures. Its 21.8% poor/fair health rate and 11.7% uninsured rate point to a county wrestling with chronic illness, healthcare access, and economic barriers. These interlocking challenges place Laclede in Missouri's lower health tier.

Laclede significantly trails regional peers

Laclede's 72.3-year life expectancy trails all neighbors, falling 2-3 years short of counties like Johnson (75.5 years) and Knox (75.7 years). Its 21.8% poor/fair health rate is nearly 4 percentage points higher than Jefferson (17.6%) and Johnson (17.5%). This gap suggests Laclede residents face steeper health burdens than surrounding areas.

Providers exist, but coverage gaps persist

Laclede has 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a moderate supply—alongside 175 mental health providers per 100K, offering decent behavioral care access. However, 11.7% of residents remain uninsured, and many who have coverage may still struggle with affordability or transportation to appointments. The combination of chronic illness and incomplete coverage suggests many Laclede residents delay or skip care.

Coverage and preventive care can change outcomes

Laclede's low life expectancy underscores why coverage matters—uninsured or under-insured residents often miss preventive care that catches disease early. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore plans, and ask about chronic disease programs through local clinics or your doctor. Better coverage and regular check-ups can help extend healthy years for Laclede residents.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Laclede County

via RiskByCounty

Laclede faces moderate national risk

Laclede County's composite risk score of 66.03 exceeds the national average, though it carries a Relatively Low rating. The county experiences above-typical hazard exposure compared to most American counties.

Above Missouri's average risk level

Laclede's 66.03 score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the middle-risk tier statewide. The county faces more natural disaster exposure than the typical Missouri community.

Comparable to surrounding counties

Laclede County (66.03) faces similar risk to neighbors Lawrence County (66.22) and sits riskier than Jasper County (85.59) but above Knox County (21.02). The county represents mid-range risk in the Ozark region.

Wildfires and earthquakes lead threats

Laclede County faces elevated wildfire risk (78.21) and earthquake risk (80.73), both well above state averages. These geological and fire-related hazards drive the county's overall elevated risk profile.

Add wildfire and earthquake coverage

Laclede homeowners should verify their policies include wildfire protection and consider adding earthquake insurance, given the county's above-average exposure to both. A comprehensive review with your agent can ensure adequate protection at reasonable cost.

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.