countyscore
58.6
County Score
Cost of Living 90Disaster Risk 78.8Lawn Care 73.7

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Missouri

Exceeding National Quality Benchmarks

Monroe County earns a composite score of 58.6, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. Its profile reflects a high level of environmental resilience and housing value.

A High Performer in Missouri

Surpassing the Missouri average of 50.3, Monroe's score of 58.6 highlights its status as a competitive rural community. It offers a balanced lifestyle that outpaces many surrounding counties.

Elite Affordability and Low Risk

The county boasts a near-perfect cost score of 90.0, with a median gross rent of only $667. Residents also benefit from a high risk score of 78.8, meaning they face fewer natural disaster threats.

Addressing Water Quality and Income

Water infrastructure is a notable weakness with a score of 4.6. Additionally, the income score of 11.5 reflects a median household income of $48,299, which lags behind state leaders.

Best for Thrifty Homeowners

Monroe County is a haven for those looking to own a home without financial strain. It is a perfect fit for retirees or remote workers who value a low-risk environment and deep cost savings.

2040608010059.2905340.264.311.578.84.652.3Tax59.2Cost90Safety53Health40.2Schools64.3Income11.5Risk78.8Water4.6Weather52.358.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Monroe County DNA

Foverall

How Monroe County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Monroe County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (90/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (4.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
59.2
Cost
90+42
Safety
53
Health
40.2-9.799999999999997
Schools
64.3+10.299999999999997
Income
11.5-39.5
Risk
78.8+31.799999999999997
Water
4.6-53.4
Weather
52.3
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$147,400

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$667/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$147,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $48,299/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

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De Baca County
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Wyoming County
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Bristol County
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Nearby counties

Shelby County
Missouri
60.1
Audrain County
Missouri
51.2
Randolph County
Missouri
49.9
Ralls County
Missouri
61.9
Marion County
Missouri
42.3
Macon County
Missouri
52.6
Knox County
Missouri
66
Lewis County
Missouri
62.1

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe County taxes run below national median

Monroe County's effective tax rate of 0.737% sits comfortably below the national median of roughly 0.82%, marking it as a relatively affordable jurisdiction nationwide. The median home value of $147,400 trails the national median of $281,900, but the lower rate helps keep overall tax burdens manageable.

Right at Missouri's average

Monroe County's effective rate of 0.737% essentially matches Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, making it a typical environment for property owners in the state. The median tax of $1,086 falls modestly below the state median of $1,199.

Moderate tax rate for the region

Monroe's 0.737% rate places it in the middle-to-upper range of regional competitors, below Mercer and Mississippi but above Morgan and Miller. It represents a fairly standard tax climate in rural north-central Missouri.

Expect roughly $1,086 yearly

Homeowners with a median-value property in Monroe County worth $147,400 pay approximately $1,086 annually in property taxes, or $1,216 with mortgage escrow. That comes to about $91 per month in tax obligations.

Regular assessment reviews recommended

Even in a county matching the state average, homeowners should periodically verify their assessed values haven't drifted upward. An appeal process exists and many property owners successfully reduce their tax burden through this avenue.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Monroe County

via CostByCounty

Monroe's rent burden above average

Monroe County renters spend 16.6% of their income on rent, above the comfortable 12-15% national range. This squeezed budget means less flexibility for unexpected expenses or savings.

Worse than Missouri average

Monroe's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the less affordable tier of Missouri counties. The 1-percentage-point gap signals tighter housing affordability than the state norm.

Mid-range rents, low incomes

Monroe's median rent of $667/month is moderate compared to neighbors like Mississippi ($782) and Miller ($724), but the county's median income of $48,299 is among the region's lowest. This income-to-cost mismatch drives the affordability challenge.

Monroe's income-cost imbalance

Monroe County residents earn $48,299 annually, paying $667/month in rent or $557/month for mortgages on homes valued at $147,400. For renters, housing devours roughly one-sixth of gross income, limiting resources for other needs.

Monroe requires careful budgeting

If you're considering Monroe County, the 16.6% rent-to-income ratio signals tighter affordability than statewide averages. Compare it to nearby Mercer (10.9%) or Moniteau (14.1%) to ensure the best fit for your budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe County faces income shortfall

Monroe County's median household income of $48,299 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by more than $26,400, reflecting significant economic disadvantage. The county ranks among the lower-earning areas in the region.

Well below Missouri's state average

Monroe County's median household income of $48,299 falls roughly $11,200 short of Missouri's state average of $59,503. Among the eight surveyed counties, Monroe ranks near the bottom, indicating pronounced economic stress compared to state peers.

Among the lowest earners regionally

Monroe County's $48,299 income ranks second-lowest in its cluster, exceeding only Mississippi County at $46,258. The $16,900 gap to Moniteau County ($65,161) and $12,700 deficit versus Mercer ($60,357) underscore Monroe's economic vulnerability.

Rent pressures household budgets

Monroe County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio is the third-highest among surveyed counties, indicating housing absorbs a substantial share of earnings. A median home value of $147,400 paired with modest household income constrains financial stability for renters and homebuyers alike.

Prioritize debt reduction and safety nets

Monroe households should focus on building small emergency reserves and eliminating high-interest debt before investing. Credit unions and community banks often offer low-cost savings products and financial literacy programs tailored to moderate-income families.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Monroe County

via CrimeByCounty

Monroe County Above National Safety Average

Monroe County secures a strong 98.3 safety score, reflecting a crime rate significantly lower than the national baseline. At 1,061.4 per 100K, the local crime rate is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Rural Security Outpaces State Average

With a safety score exceeding the state average of 97.0, Monroe ranks highly among Missouri’s rural counties. Data from a single reporting agency shows a total crime rate that remains far below the state average of 1,926.2.

Northeast Missouri Safety Standards

Monroe's crime rate of 1,061.4 per 100K is competitive with its neighbors in Northeast Missouri. It maintains a safer profile than many counties of similar size, though residents should note the data comes from a single local agency.

Violent Crime vs Property Crime

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 507.6 per 100K, while property crime is relatively low at 553.8. While the violent crime rate is higher than the national 369.8 average, property crimes are only about a quarter of the national rate.

Prioritizing Home Security Awareness

Maintaining home security remains a priority even in quiet communities like Monroe. Ensuring all entry points are locked and well-lit helps maintain the county's low property crime figures.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Monroe County

via SchoolsByCounty

Extensive Rural Schooling in Monroe

Monroe County hosts 10 public schools managed by five different districts. The county manages an enrollment of 1,492 students with a focus on elementary and secondary education across a purely rural landscape.

High Performance and Robust Investment

Monroe County excels with a 56.3 school score, significantly outpacing the Missouri state average of 52.8. A high 94.3% graduation rate is paired with a strong $7,248 per-pupil expenditure, showing a deep commitment to student success.

Monroe City R-I Sets the Pace

Monroe City R-I is the largest district, serving 764 students, while Paris R-II educates 461 students. All educational programs are delivered through traditional districts, with no charter schools currently operating in the area.

Small Schools in a Rural Landscape

All 10 schools in Monroe County are classified as rural, offering a distinctively quiet and focused learning environment. With an average school size of only 149 students, schools like Madison C-3 offer exceptionally high levels of personal attention.

Invest in a Home Near Great Schools

Monroe County’s high school scores and graduation rates make it a premier choice for education-focused homebuyers. Explore rural properties near Monroe City or Paris to take advantage of these top-tier public school districts.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Monroe County

via RiskByCounty

Monroe ranks among America's safest

Monroe County's composite risk score of 21.18 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national median. This score reflects genuinely favorable exposure to natural disasters compared to most American counties.

Second-safest county in Missouri

Monroe's score of 21.18 ranks second only to Mercer County (12.28) in Missouri, sitting 58% below the state average of 50.56. Monroe residents enjoy among the lowest natural disaster risk in the entire state.

Clearly safer than surrounding counties

Monroe's 21.18 substantially undercuts neighboring Moniteau (31.01), Miller (55.09), and Mississippi (57.19). Only Mercer to the north matches Monroe's exceptional safety profile.

Tornado and earthquake pose minor threats

Tornado risk scores 43.16 and earthquake risk 45.96—both well below state averages and Monroe's most notable hazards. All other disaster types remain minimal, with flood, wildfire, and hurricane risks all scoring under 32.

Standard coverage meets Monroe's needs

Your exceptional safety profile means standard homeowners insurance provides comprehensive protection across all major hazards. Focus on routine policy reviews to ensure adequate coverage limits rather than specialized disaster insurance.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Monroe County

via WaterByCounty

Severe Compliance Issues in Monroe Systems

Monroe County receives an F grade due to a high volume of 37 health violations over five years. Its violation rate of 872.6 per 100,000 residents is more than ten times higher than the state average.

Primary Watershed Meets Federal Standards

In the 2022 reporting cycle, the one assessed water body in Monroe County met all Clean Water Act standards with a 0% impairment rate. This suggests that while drinking water systems struggle, the assessed surface water source remains healthy.

Microbiological Focus at Four Key Sites

Four monitoring sites have produced 627 readings over the last five years, with a heavy emphasis on microbiological and nutrient data. These efforts help track the biological safety of the county's water resources.

Critical Low Flow on Middle Fork Salt River

The Middle Fork Salt River near Holliday is currently flowing at just 44 cfs, which is a mere 16% of its long-term typical flow. This extreme low flow indicates severe drought stress on the local 313 square mile drainage area.

Respond to Low Flow and High Violations

The combination of severe low streamflow and extreme drinking water violation rates suggests high risk for contaminant concentration. Residents are strongly advised to use certified water filters and stay informed on system-wide health alerts.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Monroe County

via WeatherByCounty

Typical Midwestern Thermal Profile

Monroe County averages 52.9°F annually, placing it slightly below the national median for U.S. counties. The county receives 41.7 inches of annual precipitation, providing ample moisture for its agricultural landscape. This results in a climate that is representative of the upper Midwest.

Cooler than the State Average

With an average temperature of 52.9°F, Monroe sits exactly two degrees below the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. It ranks as one of the cooler counties in Missouri's northeastern quadrant. Winter temperatures are notably sharper here than in central or southern parts of the state.

Matching Marion County Trends

Monroe County is nearly identical in temperature to Marion County, differing by only 0.1 degrees. However, Monroe receives nearly two inches more precipitation than Marion, totaling 41.7 inches annually. Both counties share a July average high of roughly 76°F.

Colder Winters and Humid Summers

January is cold with an average of 26.8°F, while summer features 30 days of extreme heat over 90°F. Although specific snowfall data is limited, the winter average of 29.8°F suggests consistent freezing conditions. July peaks at 76.2°F, bringing typical Missouri humidity.

Ready for Freezing Temps

Homeowners should prioritize pipe insulation as the January average remains well below freezing at 26.8°F. While snowfall records are limited, the 41.7 inches of precipitation often result in icy winter conditions. Expect to run air conditioning frequently during the 30 days of extreme summer heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Monroe County

via SoilByCounty

High-Quality Soils of Monroe County

Monroe County reaches an impressive soil score of 72.4, driven by a healthy pH of 6.31. This acidity level is significantly more balanced than the Missouri state average of 6.09.

Fine-Grained Earth for Heavy Farming

The composition is 60.8% silt and 21.1% clay, providing a dense but manageable texture for local growers. A 17.4% sand component helps facilitate essential airflow within the soil profile.

A Water-Holding Powerhouse

This soil is a water-holding powerhouse with an available water capacity of 0.205 in/in, far exceeding the state average. Organic matter sits at 2.47%, which is healthy by national standards but lower than the state mark.

Reliable Moisture for Local Crops

Specific drainage and taxonomic data are limited, but the high water capacity suggests the soil is excellent at buffering against droughts. The high silt content usually indicates the ground will remain moist long after rainfall.

One of Missouri's Most Productive Counties

Gardeners in zone 6a can grow a vast array of vegetables and perennials in this high-scoring soil. It is one of the most productive counties in the state, making it a perfect place to start a backyard farm.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Monroe County

via LawnByCounty

A Favorable Forecast for Monroe Lawns

Monroe County offers an encouraging lawn difficulty score of 73.7, making it easier than the state average of 63.7. Located in Hardiness Zone 6a, it provides a stable environment for cool-season grasses to flourish. Compared to the national median of 50.0, Monroe residents start with a significant environmental advantage.

Balanced Moisture for Consistent Growth

Monroe receives 41.7 inches of annual precipitation, which is just under the state average but still ideal for grass health. The county sees 30 extreme heat days annually, keeping it slightly cooler than the Missouri average of 37 days. With 3,669 growing degree days, your mowing frequency will be active but predictable.

Consistent Soil Chemistry

A soil pH of 6.31 provides an excellent chemical environment where grass can naturally thrive without heavy amendments. The soil consists of 21.1% clay and 17.4% sand, a combination that balances moisture retention and aeration. This foundation is perfect for supporting the deep roots required for long-term turf health.

Managing Nearly Half a Year of Drought

Monroe County has weathered 24 weeks of drought over the past year, putting extra pressure on lawn owners. While 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry, the lack of severe drought is a positive sign for recovery. Regular irrigation during these dry weeks is critical to prevent permanent damage to your lawn's crown.

Optimal Planting for Zone 6a

Kentucky Bluegrass and Turf-Type Tall Fescue are top recommendations for this northern Missouri climate. The typical growing window opens after the April 12 frost and closes as temperatures drop toward the October 22 frost date. Start early to establish a strong root system before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monroe County's county score?
Monroe County, Missouri has a composite county score of 58.6 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 Monroe County rank among counties in Missouri?
Monroe County ranks #26 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 Monroe County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Monroe County is $1,086, with an effective tax rate of 0.74%. This earns Monroe County a tax score of 59.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
The median household income in Monroe County, Missouri is $48,299 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Monroe County earns an income score of 11.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Monroe County, Missouri a good place to live?
Monroe County scores 58.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #26 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Monroe 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 Monroe County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.