CountyScore

Lewis County

Missouri · MO

#25 in Missouri
72.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lewis County, Missouri

Lewis ranks in top quartile nationally

Lewis County's composite score of 76.5 places it at the 77th percentile nationally, substantially above the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the most livable counties in America based on tax burden and housing affordability.

Outperforms Missouri's average county

With a score of 76.5, Lewis exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking in the upper quartile of the state's 115 counties. It's one of the stronger-performing counties statewide on composite livability.

Most affordable housing of all eight

Lewis County ties for the highest cost score at 87.4, with the second-lowest median rent ($627/month) and median home value ($118,900) in this county set. A tax score of 81.6 and 0.736% effective rate cement its position as one of Missouri's most affordable counties.

Limited income growth and incomplete data

Lewis's income score of 17.6 and median household income of $52,340 lag significantly, offering limited wage-earning potential. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable, leaving key livability factors unmeasured.

Rural minimalists and retirees seeking best value

Lewis County is perfect for fixed-income retirees, remote workers, and families willing to trade modest incomes for some of Missouri's lowest housing and tax costs. This is quintessential rural affordability—ideal for those prioritizing financial simplicity over economic growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.6Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.6Risk72.6WaterComing Soon
🏛81.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡72.6
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 Lewis County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Wrangell City and Borough
Alaska
72.5
Median income: $64,545
Prowers County
Colorado
72.5
Median income: $57,601
Benewah County
Idaho
72.5
Median income: $56,553
White County
Indiana
72.5
Median income: $66,143
Kossuth County
Iowa
72.5
Median income: $65,656

Deep Dives

Lewis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lewis County

via TaxByCounty

Lewis County taxes slightly above state average

At 0.736%, Lewis County's effective tax rate sits slightly above Missouri's 0.733% average, though well below the national median of 0.935%. The median property tax of $875 on a home valued at $118,900 reflects affordable housing combined with modest tax rates.

Lewis ranks near the state average

Lewis County's 0.736% effective rate sits almost exactly at Missouri's 0.733% statewide average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 115 counties. The median tax of $875 falls slightly below Missouri's median of $1,199, thanks to lower home values.

Lewis taxes moderately among regional peers

Lewis County's 0.736% rate falls in the middle of the eight-county region, very close to Jasper (0.739%) but lower than Jefferson (0.839%) and Lafayette (0.766%). It runs higher than Lawrence (0.606%), Johnson (0.684%), and Laclede (0.652%).

A $118,900 home costs about $875 yearly

The median Lewis County homeowner pays approximately $875 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that typically rises to $1,054 due to escrow requirements; without a mortgage, it drops to $737.

Verify your assessment with the county

Many Lewis County homeowners may be overassessed relative to their property's true market value. If your assessed value seems inflated, filing a formal appeal with the county assessor is a straightforward way to potentially reduce your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lewis County

via CostByCounty

Lewis County delivers exceptional affordability

Lewis County renters spend just 14.4% of income on housing, well below the national burden of 18.3%, making it one of Missouri's most affordable counties. Median household income of $52,340 is modest, yet monthly rent of only $627 creates a favorable ratio.

Among Missouri's most affordable counties

Lewis County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% beats Missouri's state average of 15.6%, while its $627 median rent is the second-lowest in the regional comparison. This combination places Lewis near the top tier of Missouri county affordability.

Ultra-low rents, minimal income impact

Lewis County's $627 rent is the second-cheapest regionally, trailing only Knox County's $661 by just $34 monthly. Despite similar or slightly lower incomes than neighboring counties, Lewis residents enjoy exceptional housing affordability.

Housing leaves breathing room

Renters spend just $627 monthly while homeowners average $655 from a $52,340 median household income. Housing accounts for only 14–15% of pre-tax income, allowing residents with tight budgets to allocate resources toward savings and essentials.

Best-in-class housing affordability

Lewis County rivals Knox as Missouri's most affordable county for renters and buyers seeking low housing costs. If you prioritize exceptional affordability and embrace rural living, Lewis County's combination of minimal rent and low ratios makes it an outstanding choice.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lewis County

via IncomeByCounty

Lewis falls behind national income

Lewis County's median household income of $52,340 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $22,415 annually. This substantial gap means Lewis households earn roughly 70 cents for every dollar earned nationally, placing the county in lower-income territory.

Among Missouri's lowest earners

Lewis County's $52,340 median income ranks among Missouri's lowest, falling $7,163 below the state average of $59,503. Per capita income of $26,018 also significantly underperforms the state average of $31,011, indicating limited earning opportunities.

Lewis struggles with peers

Lewis's $52,340 income places it among the region's poorest, just above Laclede County ($50,825) and Knox County ($53,333), but significantly below Jasper County ($57,525) and Johnson County ($67,123). This clustering reflects a rural economic corridor facing sustained challenges.

Housing is very affordable

Lewis's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% ranks well below the national 18% standard, easing rental burdens on households. Median home values of just $118,900 offer the most accessible homeownership pathway in the region, making housing costs genuinely manageable.

Build from a solid foundation

Lewis residents should prioritize emergency savings and explore employer benefits, then gradually increase contributions to retirement and investment accounts. Community resources, free financial counseling, and low-cost index funds can help even modestly-earning households create meaningful long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lewis County

via HealthByCounty

Lewis balances longevity against illness burden

Lewis County's 75.4-year life expectancy is respectable relative to the U.S. average of 78.9 years, yet 22.7% of residents report poor or fair health—the second-worst rate in this county set. This gap suggests Lewis residents are living longer but often with chronic conditions limiting daily function. The disconnect reveals a population aging into illness rather than healthy longevity.

Lewis tops life expectancy, lags on health quality

At 75.4 years, Lewis's life expectancy exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.1 years, placing it near the top statewide. However, 22.7% of residents in poor or fair health—third-worst in this eight-county set—and a 13.3% uninsured rate above the state average paint a grimmer picture of daily health experience. Lewis illustrates that longer life doesn't guarantee better living.

Lewis shows divergent regional health picture

Lewis's 75.4-year life expectancy places it in the upper half regionally, trailing only Knox (75.7 years) and Johnson (75.5 years) by narrow margins. Yet its 22.7% poor/fair health rate is significantly worse than healthier neighbors like Jefferson (17.6%) and Johnson (17.5%)—a 5-point gap. Lewis residents are living longer but often managing multiple chronic conditions.

Severe provider shortages across the board

Lewis County has just 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in this county set—and a critically low 41 mental health providers per 100K. With 13.3% of residents uninsured and limited provider availability, many residents likely delay care or travel significant distances for treatment. These dual shortages compound the high burden of chronic illness reported by the population.

Coverage first, then care access

Lewis's sparse provider network and above-average uninsured rate create a perfect storm—even residents with coverage may struggle to find a doctor, while uninsured residents face impossible choices. Visit Healthcare.gov immediately to secure coverage, then work with your insurer or a benefits counselor to locate available providers. Coverage removes one barrier; help finding care becomes the next urgent step.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lewis County

via RiskByCounty

Lewis ranks among safest counties

Lewis County's composite risk score of 27.39 places it well below the national average with a Very Low rating. Residents face significantly less natural disaster exposure than the typical American county.

One of Missouri's safest counties

Lewis County's 27.39 score sits far below Missouri's state average of 50.56, ranking among the lowest-risk counties in the state. The county offers substantially lower natural hazard exposure than most Missouri communities.

Safer than surrounding counties

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

All hazards remain well-controlled

Lewis County's highest risk comes from wildfire (36.67) and flood (37.05), both moderate and manageable. Overall natural disaster risk remains limited across all hazard types in the county.

Standard coverage provides adequate protection

Lewis County homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance; flood insurance is optional given the county's low risk. The county's very low natural disaster exposure means residents need not purchase excessive 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.