CountyScore

Mercer County

Missouri · MO

#14 in Missouri
73.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Mercer County, Missouri

Well above average for livability

Mercer County scores 75.8 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This puts the county in the upper tier of American counties, suggesting a strong overall quality of life across measured dimensions.

Slightly ahead of Missouri average

With a score of 75.8, Mercer County ranks just above Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it solidly in the middle-to-upper range of the state's 114 counties. It's a reliable performer within its regional context.

Affordability stands out strongest

Mercer County excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 89.1, reflected in a median home value of just $95,300 and rent averaging $548 monthly. Tax burden is also moderate at 0.95%, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious families.

Income growth remains limited

The county's Income Score of 22.8 reveals a significant gap, with median household income of $60,357 falling below what many comparable counties offer. Safety, health, schools, and environmental factors lack current data, limiting a complete livability picture.

Best for cost-conscious retirees

Mercer County suits individuals and families prioritizing low housing costs and reasonable taxes over higher wages. It's an ideal fit for retirees on fixed incomes or those seeking affordable rural living with manageable tax obligations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax75.6Cost89.1SafetyComing SoonHealth62.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.8Risk87.8WaterComing Soon
🏛75.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.8
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 Mercer County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gunnison County
Colorado
73.5
Median income: $77,358
Towns County
Georgia
73.5
Median income: $58,400
Latah County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,179
Payette County
Idaho
73.5
Median income: $65,723
Sullivan County
Indiana
73.5
Median income: $54,985

Deep Dives

Mercer County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mercer County

via TaxByCounty

Mercer's tax rate outpaces the nation

Mercer County's effective tax rate of 0.950% significantly exceeds the national median effective rate of approximately 0.82%, placing the county in the higher tier nationally. While the median home here is worth just $95,300—far below the national median of $281,900—homeowners pay a steeper percentage of that value in property taxes each year.

Among Missouri's higher-taxed counties

At 0.950%, Mercer County's effective rate runs 30% higher than Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's pricier tax environments. The county's median tax bill of $905 sits well below the state median of $1,199, a reflection of lower home values rather than a tax break.

Mercer stands out in rural Missouri

Mercer's 0.950% rate towers over neighboring counties like Miller (0.627%), Morgan (0.610%), and Monroe (0.737%), making it a notably steeper tax jurisdiction in north-central Missouri. Even compared to Mississippi County at 0.877%, Mercer homeowners pay a higher effective rate on their property.

A median home costs $905 yearly

If you own a median-value home in Mercer County worth $95,300, expect to pay approximately $905 in annual property taxes—or $1,015 if your mortgage includes an escrow account. That translates to roughly $76 per month in property tax payments.

Check if you're overassessed

With Mercer's above-average tax rate, it's worth investigating whether your home's assessed value is accurate. Many homeowners discover they can appeal their assessment and lower their tax burden—a process that costs little but could save you hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mercer County

via CostByCounty

Mercer's rent burden beats the nation

Mercer County residents spend just 10.9% of their income on rent, well below the national sweet spot of 12-15%. This means renters here have significantly more breathing room in their budgets compared to typical American households.

Most affordable county in Missouri

With a rent-to-income ratio of 10.9%, Mercer ranks as one of Missouri's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 15.6%. Residents here enjoy some of the strongest housing affordability in the Show-Me State.

Cheaper rent than surrounding areas

Mercer's median rent of $548/month is $220 less than the state average of $768, and significantly below nearby counties like Miller ($724) and Moniteau ($766). This affordability advantage makes Mercer an attractive option for budget-conscious renters in central Missouri.

Where Mercer's housing dollars go

The typical Mercer household earns $60,357 annually, spending $548/month on rent or $636/month on mortgage payments. Combined with other costs, housing consumes roughly 11-13% of median household income, leaving substantial income for savings and other expenses.

Consider Mercer for affordability

If you're relocating and prioritizing housing affordability, Mercer County delivers exceptional value with sub-$550 rents and home values around $95,300. The combination of low rental costs and manageable homeownership expenses makes this a smart choice for budget-minded families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mercer County

via IncomeByCounty

Mercer's income trails the nation

Mercer County's median household income of $60,357 falls about $14,400 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. While below the national mark, Mercer households earn slightly above Missouri's state average of $59,503, positioning the county in the middle tier of earning power.

Middle of the pack in Missouri

Among Missouri's 114 counties, Mercer ranks modestly above median with its $60,357 household income. The county outperforms the state average by $854, reflecting a stable but not exceptional economic profile compared to its peers.

Outearning nearby counties

Mercer's median income of $60,357 beats several neighboring counties, including Monroe ($48,299) and Morgan ($49,663). Among its cluster, only Moniteau County ($65,161) and Montgomery County ($61,042) earn noticeably more, making Mercer a middle-ground community.

Housing costs fit comfortably here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 10.9%, Mercer County residents spend well below the standard 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing is genuinely accessible. A median home value of $95,300 pairs with solid incomes to make homeownership within reach for most households.

Build savings and invest wisely

Mercer households have breathing room in their budgets after covering housing. Consider automating savings into emergency funds and retirement accounts—even modest monthly contributions compound significantly over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mercer County

via HealthByCounty

Mercer's life expectancy edges ahead

At 75.8 years, Mercer County residents live longer than the U.S. average of 74.4 years, a modest but meaningful advantage. The county's 20.0% poor or fair health rate sits below the national estimate, reflecting a relatively healthier population than many American counties.

Missouri's healthiest county by age

Mercer ranks well within Missouri, with a life expectancy 1.5 years above the state average of 74.3 years. This positions the county among Missouri's stronger health outcomes despite regional economic pressures.

Outpacing peers in the region

Mercer's 75.8-year life expectancy exceeds neighboring Miller County (74.9 years) and Monroe County (76.1 years) sits slightly ahead. The county's mental health provider density of 58 per 100K matches regional averages, supporting community mental health access.

Healthcare access with coverage gaps

Mercer's 14.8% uninsured rate runs above Missouri's 12.5% state average, leaving nearly 1 in 6 residents without health insurance. With 29 primary care providers per 100K, the county maintains adequate physician access for routine medical care.

Cover yourself and your family

If you're among Mercer's uninsured residents, marketplace plans, Medicaid, and employer coverage offer pathways to protection. Visit healthcare.gov or your state's enrollment site to explore plans before deadlines change—coverage can start as soon as next month.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mercer County

via RiskByCounty

Mercer ranks far below national average

Mercer County's composite risk score of 12.28 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national median. Most American counties face significantly higher natural disaster risk, making Mercer one of the safer regions in the country for weather and seismic threats.

Missouri's safest county by far

Mercer's score of 12.28 ranks it as the lowest-risk county in Missouri, substantially below the state average of 50.56. This 76% lower risk than the statewide average reflects genuinely favorable hazard exposure across all major disaster types.

Distinctly safer than surrounding areas

Neighboring counties like Moniteau (31.01) and Monroe (21.18) face notably higher risks, while Miller County to the south scores 55.09. Mercer's exceptional safety makes it a statistical outlier in north-central Missouri.

Wildfire and tornado risks are modest

Wildfire risk scores 48.35 and tornado risk 43.99—both well below state and national averages for these hazards. Flood, earthquake, and hurricane risks all remain minimal, with no single threat posing significant danger to most residents.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices here

Your low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate coverage for the modest threats Mercer faces. Annual policy reviews ensure you're not overinsured for hazards that pose minimal risk to your property.

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.