CountyScore

McDonald County

Missouri · MO

#93 in Missouri
67.1
County Score

County Report Card

About McDonald County, Missouri

McDonald County outperforms the nation

McDonald County's composite score of 76.6 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the stronger-performing counties nationwide. The county delivers genuine competitive livability advantages.

Above-average Missouri performer

At 76.6, McDonald County scores 1.8 points above Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking it in the upper tier of state counties. The county demonstrates above-typical livability for the region.

Exceptional tax efficiency

McDonald County excels with the second-lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.539% and a tax score of 87.1. The cost score of 84.2 adds strong housing affordability with median homes at $134,100 and rent at $764/month.

Lowest income levels in group

McDonald County's income score of 14.8 and median household income of $48,145 represent the lowest earnings potential among these eight counties. Data gaps persist for safety, health, schools, and environmental quality.

Best for ultra-budget-conscious movers

McDonald County is ideal for individuals and families with minimal income needs or flexible remote work seeking maximum affordability. The combination of extremely low taxes and cheap housing makes it exceptional for those not dependent on local job markets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth52.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.8Risk36WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36
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 McDonald County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elbert County
Georgia
67.1
Median income: $49,727
Wayne County
Illinois
67.1
Median income: $53,107
Monroe County
Indiana
67.1
Median income: $63,372
Warren County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $92,990
Webster County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $68,054

Deep Dives

McDonald County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McDonald County

via TaxByCounty

McDonald County: The region's lowest taxes

McDonald County's 0.539% effective rate sits in the 19th percentile nationally, far below the U.S. median of 0.64%. The median tax bill of $723 is the lowest in this eight-county group—less than 27% of the national median of $2,690.

Among Missouri's most favorable rates

McDonald County ranks 109th among Missouri's 114 counties in effective tax rate, among the state's lowest five. Its median tax of $723 falls well below Missouri's state median of $1,199.

Most favorable rate in the region

McDonald County's 0.539% rate is the lowest among all eight counties analyzed, edging out Maries County (0.563%) and creating a significant advantage versus Livingston County (0.899%).

A median home costs just $723 yearly

With a median home value of $134,100, typical McDonald County homeowners pay only $723 in annual property taxes—the lowest median in this eight-county cluster. Including a mortgage, the figure rises to $805; without, it drops to $637.

Even low rates warrant an assessment check

McDonald County's favorable tax rate is a major advantage, but overassessment can still occur. Verify your home's assessed value matches comparable properties—an appeal costs nothing and could provide additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McDonald County

via CostByCounty

McDonald County's affordability crisis

At 19%, McDonald County's rent-to-income ratio far exceeds both national and state averages, making housing costs a genuine burden for renters. With the lowest median household income in this group ($48,145) paired with $764 monthly rents, residents face a serious affordability squeeze.

Missouri's least affordable county here

McDonald County's 19% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among all eight counties and significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%. This means renters here spend nearly one-fifth of their income on housing—the highest burden in the regional comparison.

McDonald struggles compared to peers

McDonald County's $764 rent sits in the middle regionally, but paired with the lowest median income ($48,145), creates the worst affordability ratio. Residents pay a 19% rent-to-income ratio—more than 3 percentage points above the state average.

Nearly 20% of income on rent

Renters in McDonald County spend $764 monthly while homeowners pay $692, with median home values of $134,100. At 19% of income dedicated to rent, housing costs create the tightest squeeze in this eight-county group.

McDonald County demands careful planning

McDonald County's 19% rent-to-income ratio signals genuine affordability challenges—housing costs will eat significantly into your budget here. Before moving, compare your income carefully to these costs and explore neighboring counties like Maries or Linn for better affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McDonald County

via IncomeByCounty

McDonald County faces significant income gap

McDonald County's median household income of $48,145 falls $26,610 below the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the bottom 20% nationally, around the 18th percentile.

Well below Missouri's state average

At $48,145, McDonald County's median household income runs $11,358 below the state average of $59,503. The county represents the lowest-income tier in Missouri.

Significantly trailing peer counties

McDonald County's $48,145 median income lags all neighboring counties in this cohort by $10,000 or more. The county faces the steepest economic challenges in the region.

Housing costs create acute pressure

McDonald County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this entire cohort, pushing families toward housing affordability crisis. With a median home value of $134,100, homeownership remains out of reach for many households.

Access community support and services

McDonald County residents should explore nonprofit financial assistance programs, skill-building workshops, and wage advancement opportunities. Contact local workforce development agencies to investigate training and education programs that boost earning potential.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McDonald County

via HealthByCounty

McDonald County faces severe health crisis

At 72.2 years, McDonald County residents live 4.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—among the nation's poorest longevity outcomes. More than 1 in 4 (25.4%) report poor or fair health, far exceeding national rates and indicating widespread chronic disease. Combined with 18.0% uninsured—the highest in the state cluster—McDonald County represents America's healthcare access and outcome crisis.

Missouri's most health-challenged county

McDonald County's 72.2-year life expectancy ranks 2.1 years below Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, making it among the state's most vulnerable communities. The 25.4% poor/fair health rate far exceeds state norms, indicating severe chronic disease burden and prevention failures. These metrics demand urgent, sustained intervention across healthcare, social services, and economic development.

Worst outcomes in the entire cluster

McDonald County's 72.2-year life expectancy is 3.5 years below neighboring Lincoln County (75.7 years) and 3.9 years behind Livingston County (76.1 years)—the region's most catastrophic gap. At 25.4% poor/fair health, McDonald County suffers the cluster's highest disease burden, tied only with Linn County's 22.1%. With just 9 primary care providers per 100K and only 21 mental health providers per 100K, the county lacks healthcare infrastructure to serve its most vulnerable population.

Crisis-level uninsured rate, severe provider shortage

McDonald County's 18.0% uninsured rate—nearly 1 in 5 residents—is the highest in the state cluster and 5.5 percentage points above Missouri's average. With only 9 primary care providers per 100K, the county falls far below national standards of 60 per 100K, leaving serious access deserts. Mental health providers at 21 per 100K are similarly scarce, forcing residents to travel significant distances for behavioral care or go untreated.

Coverage is urgent in McDonald County

McDonald County's healthcare emergency—nearly 1 in 5 uninsured, severe provider shortages, lowest life expectancy—demands immediate action starting with insurance. Visit Healthcare.gov today to explore Medicaid expansion, subsidized marketplace plans, and community health center sliding scales. Coverage alone won't solve McDonald County's 4-year longevity gap, but it's the essential foundation for accessing scarce providers and preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McDonald County

via RiskByCounty

McDonald County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 63.99, McDonald County ranks as relatively low but significantly above the national average for disaster risk. The county's profile reflects material exposure to flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires that warrant active preparedness.

Higher risk than most Missouri counties

McDonald County's score of 63.99 substantially exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it in the upper tier of the state's 115 counties. The county faces more comprehensive hazard exposure than most of its peers statewide.

Riskiest in its immediate region

At 63.99, McDonald County far exceeds the risk profiles of nearby Maries County (20.83), Marion County (47.87), and Macon County (36.77). It ranks second only to Lincoln County (67.08) among this cluster of counties.

Triple threat: floods, tornadoes, wildfires

Flood risk at 73.73, tornado risk at 73.35, and wildfire risk at 72.81 create a formidable trio of hazards in McDonald County. These three hazards each exceed state averages and require comprehensive local preparedness strategies.

Multi-hazard insurance essential

McDonald County residents must secure flood insurance, maintain comprehensive homeowners coverage for tornado and wind damage, and understand wildfire mitigation strategies. Work with local emergency management to ensure your property is protected from all three primary threats.

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.