countyscore
42.8
County Score
Soil Quality 73.8Lawn Care 70Cost of Living 68.9

County Report Card

About Marion County, Missouri

Marion County Trails the National Median

Marion County earns a composite score of 42.3, placing it significantly below the national median of 50.0. This lower-than-average score is driven largely by safety and education metrics.

Struggling to Match Missouri State Averages

At 42.3, the county ranks well below the Missouri state average of 50.3. While it offers some regional advantages, it faces more livability challenges than the typical Missouri county.

Stable Housing Costs and Good Water

The county's primary strengths are a Cost Score of 64.8 and a Water Score of 58.3. An Income Score of 50.5 shows a solid middle-class foundation with a median household income of $63,908.

Safety Concerns Impact Overall Quality

A notably low Safety Score of 10.2 is the county's biggest challenge, dragging down the overall composite. School and health scores also remain below average, coming in at 39.4 and 41.4 respectively.

Suited for Those Seeking Entry-Level Value

Marion County is best for individuals focused on finding affordable housing in a community with decent income potential. It is a practical choice for those who can navigate its safety and school limitations.

2040608010048.668.910.241.439.442.552.158.355.6Tax48.6Cost68.9Safety10.2Health41.4Schools39.4Income42.5Risk52.1Water58.3Weather55.642.8/100
This county
National avg
1 above average2 below average

Marion County DNA

Foverall

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

Marion County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (10.2/100), though Cost of Living (68.9/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
48.6
Cost
68.9+20.900000000000006
Safety
10.2-44.8
Health
41.4-8.600000000000001
Schools
39.4-14.600000000000001
Income
42.5-8.5
Risk
52.1
Water
58.3
Weather
55.6
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Think property taxes are too high in Marion County?

Many homeowners in Marion County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$162,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$808/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$162,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,903/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.1

per 100K

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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Counties with similar scores

Lee County
Arkansas
Median income: $34,375
42.8
San Luis Obispo County
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Median income: $97,446
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Arapahoe County
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Median income: $101,087
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Montrose County
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Median income: $72,120
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Citrus County
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Median income: $56,546
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LaPorte County
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Median income: $71,055
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Monroe County
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Median income: $65,868
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Tippecanoe County
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Median income: $60,636
42.8

Nearby counties

Adams County
Illinois
54.9
Ralls County
Missouri
63.2
Lewis County
Missouri
63
Shelby County
Missouri
59.7
Monroe County
Missouri
57.7
Pike County
Illinois
55.6
Pike County
Missouri
54.9
Knox County
Missouri
65.2

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion County taxes: Well above median

At 0.868%, Marion County's effective rate sits in the 73rd percentile nationally, well above the U.S. median of 0.64%. The median annual tax of $1,373 remains below the national median of $2,690 because homes average $158,100.

Fourth-highest rate in Missouri

Marion County ranks 4th among Missouri's 114 counties in effective tax rate, significantly above the state average of 0.733%. Its median tax of $1,373 exceeds the state median of $1,199 by a considerable margin.

Second-steepest rate in eight-county cluster

Marion County's 0.868% rate trails only Livingston County (0.899%) in this analysis. It substantially exceeds all other peers, making it one of the region's highest-tax-burden counties.

A median home costs $1,373 yearly

A typical Marion County home valued at $158,100 generates $1,373 in annual property taxes—the highest median in this eight-county group. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,414; those without pay $1,328.

High rate makes appeals essential

With the region's second-steepest tax rate, Marion County homeowners should prioritize assessment appeals. Challenging an overvalued assessment could yield hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion County income approaches national level

Marion County's median household income of $63,908 trails the national median of $74,755 by $10,847. The county ranks slightly below the national middle, around the 48th percentile.

Outearning the Missouri average

At $63,908, Marion County's median household income exceeds the state average of $59,503 by $4,405. The county performs about 7% better than the typical Missouri household.

Upper tier within local cohort

Marion County's $63,908 median income ranks second in this peer group, exceeded only by Lincoln County. The county competes well against Linn, Livingston, and Macon counties.

Housing costs manageable but elevated

Marion County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio remains below affordability stress levels, though slightly above optimal thresholds. A median home value of $158,100 is accessible for households with stable employment.

Build wealth through consistent investing

Marion County residents enjoy above-average local incomes that support meaningful retirement savings and investments. Establish automatic monthly contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs, and explore low-cost index funds.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Marion County

via CrimeByCounty

Marion County faces higher crime challenges

Marion County's total crime rate of 2,762.5 per 100,000 residents is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 95.6, placing it below many of its regional peers.

Below the Missouri state safety average

The county's safety score of 95.6 is lower than the Missouri state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 2,762.5 also exceeds the statewide average of 1,926.2 per 100,000 people.

A busier landscape for local law enforcement

Marion County reports a higher volume of incidents than the state average, requiring diligent work from its four reporting agencies. The local crime rate is roughly 43% higher than the Missouri average.

Property crime is the primary driver

Property crime is significantly high at 2,471.5 per 100,000 residents, which is well above the national average of 2,015.7. Conversely, the violent crime rate of 291.0 is actually lower than the national average of 369.8.

Enhance your home's property defenses

With property crime being the main concern, residents should invest in high-quality locks and home security systems. Visible deterrents like cameras and alarm signs are particularly effective in areas with higher property-related incidents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Marion County

via WeatherByCounty

Closer to the National Average

Marion County maintains an annual average temperature of 53.0°F, aligning closely with the national median. The county receives 39.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is lower than the Missouri average of 43.8 inches. This creates a slightly drier profile compared to many other Midwestern counties.

Cooler than the State Median

At 53.0°F, Marion County sits nearly two degrees below the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. This cooler ranking reflects its position in the northeastern part of the state. Winter temperatures here are significantly sharper than in southern Missouri.

Northeastern Missouri Climate Consistency

Marion County is nearly identical in temperature to neighboring Monroe County, which averages 52.9°F. However, Marion receives less precipitation than Monroe, trailing by nearly two inches annually. Both counties share a similar July peak of roughly 76°F.

Cold Winters and Snowy Days

January is cold with an average of 26.3°F, and the county receives 12.5 inches of annual snowfall. Summer brings 25 days of extreme heat above 90°F. The transition from a winter low of 29.4°F to a summer high of 74.7°F marks a classic four-season cycle.

Winterize for Significant Snow

Residents must prepare for 12.5 inches of snow by maintaining reliable shovels and winter tires. Insulation is critical as January temperatures frequently drop below freezing. Summer planning should account for roughly 25 days of 90-degree heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Marion County

via SoilByCounty

Healthy, High-Quality River Border Soils

Marion County boasts an average soil pH of 6.31, which is higher than the state average of 6.09. This puts it within the ideal range for many commercial crops and near the national 6.5 median. The county earns a high overall soil score of 73.8.

Fine-Textured Silt and Clay Mix

The soil is heavily weighted toward silt at 61.7%, with a 21.4% clay component. Sand makes up 17.0% of the profile, providing a fine-textured soil that holds nutrients well. This composition is typical of the productive lands found along the Mississippi River corridor.

Exceptional Available Water for Crops

The available water capacity is a robust 0.205 in/in, significantly higher than the Missouri average of 0.183 in/in. Organic matter is healthy at 2.67%, well above the 2.0% national average. These traits make the county highly resilient during Missouri's hot, dry summer months.

Managing Saturated Subaqueous Environments

Like many of its neighbors, Marion's dominant drainage class is listed as subaqueous. Hydrologic group data is not currently specified for the county's primary soil types. Users should anticipate high moisture levels and plan for adequate drainage in garden and field layouts.

Prime Zone 6a Growing Conditions

Marion County's Zone 6a climate is excellent for growing everything from apples to zucchini. The high water capacity of the soil is a major asset for producing juicy fruits and large vegetables. Get your seeds in the ground and take advantage of this high-scoring Missouri soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Marion County

via LawnByCounty

Strong Success in Marion

Marion County matches the state's higher-performing regions with a lawn difficulty score of 70.0. Located in Zone 6a, this county offers a more manageable environment for lawns than the national average of 50.0.

Cooler Summers, Consistent Rain

Annual precipitation of 39.9 inches remains within the ideal range for grass. With only 25 extreme heat days per year, the climate is significantly cooler and less stressful for turf than many southern Missouri counties.

Excellent Foundation for Turf

The soil pH of 6.31 is excellent for most grass types, and the 21.4% clay content provides a stable foundation. While drainage requires attention in specific low areas, standard residential core aeration usually keeps the soil healthy.

Defending Against Drought

Drought has been a persistent issue, with 36 weeks of dry conditions over the past year and 13.5% of the area in severe drought. Residents should employ water-saving techniques like raising mower blades to 4 inches to protect the soil.

Optimal Planting Windows

Target the window between the April 10 last frost and October 27 first frost for all major planting. Kentucky bluegrass and fescue blends perform well here, taking advantage of the 3,741 available growing degree days.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Marion County's county score?
Marion County, Missouri has a composite county score of 42.8 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 Marion County rank among counties in Missouri?
Marion County ranks #93 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 Marion County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Marion County is $1,335, with an effective tax rate of 0.82%. This earns Marion County a tax score of 48.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Marion County?
The median household income in Marion County, Missouri is $62,903 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Marion County earns an income score of 42.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Marion County, Missouri a good place to live?
Marion County scores 42.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #93 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Marion 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 Marion 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.