CountyScore

Marion County

Missouri · MO

#60 in Missouri
70.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Missouri

Marion County exceeds national norms

Marion County's composite score of 74.0 surpasses the national median of 50.0, positioning it among stronger U.S. counties. The county delivers solid, measurable livability advantages compared to the average American location.

Very close to Missouri baseline

At 74.0, Marion County scores 0.8 points below Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it right at the typical statewide profile. The county performs essentially in line with other Missouri communities.

Balanced costs and reasonable taxes

Marion County offers a cost score of 83.3 with median homes at $158,100 and rent at $813/month. The tax score of 77.8 with an effective rate of 0.868% provides reasonable tax efficiency for residents.

Income potential trails region

The income score of 25.1 and median household income of $63,908 are on the lower end of this county group. Data remains unavailable for safety, health, schools, environmental quality, and other key livability factors.

Works for moderate-income families

Marion County appeals to families with moderate, stable incomes seeking balanced affordability and reasonable taxes. It's better suited for those not pursuing aggressive career or income growth in place.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.8Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth66SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.1Risk52.1WaterComing Soon
🏛77.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.1
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 Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleburne County
Arkansas
70.1
Median income: $55,979
Montgomery County
Georgia
70.1
Median income: $51,188
Madison County
Idaho
70.1
Median income: $58,259
Chase County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $54,518
Norton County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $50,305

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion County near national affordability norms

At 15.3%, Marion County's rent-to-income ratio sits just above national benchmarks, indicating fairly typical housing affordability for American renters. With a median rent of $813 and household income of $63,908, the county offers moderate housing accessibility.

Slightly above Missouri average

Marion County's 15.3% rent-to-income ratio edges above Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the more affordable half of the state. Its $813 median rent slightly exceeds the state average of $768, reflecting regional cost dynamics.

Marion rents moderate for the region

Marion County's $813 rent runs higher than budget-friendly neighbors like Linn ($612) and Maries ($594) but remains well below Lincoln County's premium ($972). Median home values of $158,100 position Marion as a middle-ground option for both renters and homebuyers.

15.3% of income spent on rent

Renters in Marion County spend $813 monthly on housing while homeowners pay $692, with median home values of $158,100. At 15.3% of income, rent costs remain manageable, though slightly less generous than the state's most affordable counties.

Marion County: steady, stable housing costs

Marion County provides balanced housing costs without extreme affordability or premium pricing—ideal if you value predictability. Compare your expected Marion County salary to these moderate costs to gauge your real purchasing power in the market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion County's life expectancy lags nationally

At 73.9 years, Marion County residents live 2.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a significant health disadvantage. With 19.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county exceeds national rates, indicating moderate chronic disease and prevention gaps. Despite excellent mental health provider density (325 per 100K—the highest in the state cluster), physical health outcomes remain suboptimal.

Below Missouri's state average on longevity

Marion County's 73.9-year life expectancy falls 0.4 years below Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, placing it in the lower half statewide. The 19.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds state averages, suggesting persistent chronic disease and healthcare barriers. Marion County's health profile mirrors statewide struggles but with particular severity in mental health infrastructure paradoxically contrasting with physical health struggles.

Challenged amid regional disparities

Marion County's 73.9-year life expectancy ranks below neighboring Lincoln County (75.7 years), Livingston County (76.1 years), and Linn County (75.0 years), with a 19.4% poor/fair health rate that mirrors regional averages. However, Marion County boasts exceptional mental health provider density at 325 per 100K—the cluster's highest and far exceeding peers. This stark contrast suggests mental health investment doesn't automatically translate to population-wide physical health gains without primary care integration.

Excellent mental health access, strong primary care

Marion County's 10.4% uninsured rate ranks below the state average of 12.5%, indicating solid insurance penetration. The county leads regionally with 102 primary care providers per 100K, exceeding national standards and providing genuine physician access. Combined with 325 mental health providers per 100K, Marion County offers robust provider infrastructure—yet longevity and health status lag, suggesting other barriers: social determinants, care coordination gaps, or underlying disease prevalence.

Secure insurance to access abundant providers

About 1 in 10 Marion County residents remain uninsured despite abundant healthcare infrastructure—a coverage gap that blocks access to excellent provider networks. With more mental health specialists than any peer county, Marion County offers integrated behavioral and physical healthcare when patients can afford access. Visit Healthcare.gov to enroll in coverage that unlocks these resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County's risk hovers near average

With a composite risk score of 47.87, Marion County ranks as relatively low and sits slightly below Missouri's state average of 50.56. The county's balanced profile reflects moderate exposure across multiple hazard types.

Slightly below Missouri's average risk

Marion County's score of 47.87 places it just below the state average, making it a moderate-risk area within Missouri's spectrum. The county avoids the extreme exposure seen in some neighboring regions while remaining alert to several hazard types.

Middle ground in regional risk profile

Marion County at 47.87 sits between the safer counties of Livingston (23.03) and Maries (20.83) and the riskier Lincoln County (67.08). It represents the regional median for disaster exposure in north-central Missouri.

Flooding is the primary concern

Flood risk at 59.32 is Marion County's highest hazard, reflecting river and stream exposure across the county. Earthquake risk at 50.92 and tornado risk at 45.80 remain moderate, while wildfire and hurricane threats are minimal.

Flood insurance strongly recommended

Marion County residents should prioritize flood insurance given the 59.32 flood risk score—standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Maintain your home's drainage systems and elevation protections, particularly if you live near the Mississippi River or its tributaries.

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.