CountyScore

Lawrence County

Missouri · MO

#80 in Missouri
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lawrence County, Missouri

Lawrence ranks in top quartile nationally

Lawrence County's composite score of 75.6 places it at the 76th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. It's among America's more livable counties, particularly excelling in tax and housing affordability.

Outperforms Missouri state average

With a score of 75.6, Lawrence exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking in the upper third of the state's 115 counties. It's a solid performer statewide on the measured livability dimensions.

Best tax rate in this county set

Lawrence County leads with a tax score of 85.2 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.606%, delivering maximum tax savings to residents. A cost score of 82.3, median home value of $159,800, and median rent of $785 make it consistently affordable.

Modest income levels limit economic opportunity

Lawrence's income score of 19.8 and median household income of $55,849 trail state norms, reflecting limited wage-earning potential. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, preventing a complete livability assessment.

Bargain hunters and retirees seeking maximum value

Lawrence County is ideal for fixed-income retirees, remote workers, and budget-minded families who prioritize low taxes and housing costs. The county delivers exceptional affordability across the board—though job seekers should verify local employment options carefully.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.2Cost82.3SafetyComing SoonHealth61.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk33.8WaterComing Soon
🏛85.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.8
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
⚡33.8
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 Lawrence County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lawrence County

via TaxByCounty

Lawrence County has low property tax rates

At 0.606%, Lawrence 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 $969 on a home valued at $159,800 reflects one of the region's most affordable tax environments.

Lawrence ranks among Missouri's lowest-tax counties

Lawrence County's 0.606% effective rate places it in the bottom quartile of Missouri's 115 counties, offering some of the state's most favorable property tax conditions. The median tax of $969 falls well below Missouri's median of $1,199.

Lawrence offers one of the region's best rates

Lawrence County ties with Johnson County at 0.684% for the region's second-lowest tax rate, trailing only Laclede County (0.652%). Compared to Jasper (0.739%), Lafayette (0.766%), and Jefferson (0.839%), Lawrence delivers substantial tax savings.

A $159,800 home costs about $969 yearly

The typical Lawrence County homeowner pays approximately $969 annually in property taxes—among the lowest median bills in the eight-county region. With a mortgage, that typically rises to $997; without one, it drops to $918.

Even low-rate counties have assessment errors

Lawrence County's favorable tax rates don't guarantee every home is assessed fairly. 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 Lawrence County

via CostByCounty

Lawrence County affords moderate relief

Lawrence County renters spend 16.9% of income on housing, modestly below the national burden of 18.3%, offering some affordability advantage. Median household income of $55,849 lags the U.S. average, yet lower rents of $785 monthly ease the load.

Slightly above Missouri average affordability

Lawrence County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% slightly exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, but its $785 rent is notably below the state median of $768. The modest premium reflects slightly lower incomes offset by reasonable housing costs.

Good value in regional context

Lawrence County's $785 rent is significantly cheaper than Jasper ($904) and Jefferson ($972) but higher than Knox ($661) and Lewis ($627). With moderate income of $55,849, Lawrence offers balanced affordability—better than Jasper, worse than Knox.

Housing fits modestly in budget

Renters pay $785 monthly while homeowners spend $790 from a $55,849 median household income. Housing consumes roughly 17% of pre-tax income for renters and 17% for owners—manageable but requiring careful household budgeting.

Solid value for rural-leaning seekers

Lawrence County balances lower housing costs with moderate income, positioning it between affordability-first Knox and income-focused Jefferson. If you want better rent than Jasper with more economic vitality than the smallest counties, Lawrence merits consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lawrence County

via IncomeByCounty

Lawrence below national income

Lawrence County's median household income of $55,849 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by $18,906 annually. This gap places Lawrence households in the lower-middle income bracket, earning roughly 75 cents per national dollar.

Below Missouri's county average

Lawrence County's $55,849 median income ranks below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the lower-income half of state counties. Per capita income of $27,516 also trails the state average of $31,011, indicating modest earning capacity.

Lawrence earns less than most peers

Lawrence's $55,849 income exceeds only the most distressed rural counties like Laclede ($50,825) and Knox ($53,333), but lags Jasper County ($57,525) and substantially trails Johnson County ($67,123). This suggests Lawrence faces structural economic headwinds.

Housing costs are moderate

Lawrence's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% sits comfortably below the national 18% threshold, helping renters retain adequate income. Median home values of $159,800 remain accessible, though limited income may constrain financing options for some households.

Pursue skills and income growth

Lawrence residents should explore workforce development programs, certifications, and employer training opportunities to boost earning power. Simultaneously, establishing automated savings and seeking low-cost investment options can build a financial foundation despite current income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lawrence County

via HealthByCounty

Lawrence struggles with life expectancy gap

Lawrence County's 73.6-year life expectancy falls about 5.3 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years, indicating significant population health challenges. With 19.4% of residents in poor or fair health and a 15.1% uninsured rate, Lawrence bears multiple health disadvantages at once. The county faces compounding barriers to longevity and quality of life.

Lawrence underperforms Missouri on all measures

At 73.6 years, Lawrence's life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year average by 0.7 years, while its 19.4% poor/fair health rate and 15.1% uninsured rate both exceed state norms. This triple burden—below-average longevity, above-average illness, and above-average lack of coverage—places Lawrence among the state's most health-challenged counties. Multiple interventions are needed simultaneously.

Lawrence ranks below most regional peers

Lawrence's 73.6-year life expectancy is the second-lowest in the region, trailing all neighbors except Laclede (72.3 years), and sits 1-2 years behind Johnson (75.5 years) and Knox (75.7 years). Its 19.4% poor/fair health rate matches Jasper closely but lags healthier neighbors by 2+ percentage points. Lawrence faces health headwinds similar to Jasper, suggesting shared regional challenges.

Modest provider supply, high uninsured burden

Lawrence has 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below Jasper's 82 but above Lafayette's 24—alongside 121 mental health providers per 100K, offering basic access. However, 15.1% of residents lack health insurance, the second-highest rate in this county set, leaving many unable to afford the care that does exist. Cost barriers likely force difficult choices between healthcare and other needs.

Insurance access can improve your health

Lawrence's high uninsured rate is a critical issue—1 in 6-7 residents lack basic coverage, blocking access to preventive care and routine treatment. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local benefits counselor to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace plans, many of which offer premiums as low as $0-$100 per month. Getting covered is the first step toward better health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lawrence County

via RiskByCounty

Lawrence faces above-average U.S. risk

Lawrence County's composite risk score of 66.22 exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating. Residents experience greater-than-typical natural disaster exposure compared to most American counties.

Above Missouri's average risk level

Lawrence's 66.22 score exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the middle-risk tier statewide. The county faces more concentrated hazard exposure than the typical Missouri community.

Similar risk to neighboring Laclede

Lawrence County (66.22) faces nearly identical risk to neighbor Laclede County (66.03) and sits riskier than Jasper County (85.59) in the region. Both counties experience mid-range natural disaster exposure in the Ozark area.

Tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes

Lawrence County experiences tornado risk of 84.13, flood risk of 67.21, and earthquake risk of 71.18—all notably elevated. These three hazards constitute the county's primary natural disaster threats.

Secure comprehensive multi-hazard coverage

Lawrence homeowners must prioritize flood and tornado insurance given the county's elevated exposure to both, and should explore earthquake coverage options. Contact your agent to layer protections across all three major hazard types.

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.