CountyScore

Morgan County

Missouri · MO

#99 in Missouri
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Morgan County, Missouri

Strong livability relative to nation

Morgan County scores 76.3 on the composite index, significantly surpassing the national median of 50.0 by more than 50%. The county demonstrates robust quality-of-life performance by national standards.

Among Missouri's top counties

At 76.3, Morgan County ranks among the highest-scoring counties in this group and well above Missouri's 74.8 state average. It's a standout performer within the state's livability landscape.

Tax advantage is exceptional

Morgan County boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.610%, supported by a Tax Score of 85.1 and Cost Score of 84.8 reflecting affordable housing with median rent of $692. This tax efficiency is unmatched among these eight counties.

Income remains below peers

Despite its tax advantages, Morgan County's Income Score of 15.8 indicates median household income of $49,663, limiting earning potential compared to stronger-income counties. Missing data on safety, schools, and health leaves other quality-of-life factors unmeasured.

Best for tax-conscious transplants

Morgan County is ideal for individuals and families relocating from higher-tax areas or those with income sources outside the local economy. Its exceptional tax efficiency combined with affordable housing makes it uniquely attractive to cost-optimization-focused residents.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.1Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth53.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.8Risk24.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡24.5
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 Morgan County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Sumter County
Florida
66.2
Median income: $73,297
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874

Deep Dives

Morgan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Morgan County

via TaxByCounty

Morgan County offers tax relief nationwide

Morgan County's effective tax rate of 0.610% ranks among the lowest in the nation, falling well below the national median of roughly 0.82%. Despite a median home value of $180,400—below the national median of $281,900—residents enjoy genuinely affordable property taxation.

One of Missouri's most tax-friendly

At 0.610%, Morgan County boasts one of Missouri's lowest effective tax rates, running 17% below the statewide average of 0.733%. The median tax bill of $1,101 sits below the state median of $1,199, reflecting both a low rate and moderately valued homes.

Second-lowest in the region

Morgan County's 0.610% rate ranks as the second-lowest in this rural Missouri area, trailing only to—well, actually, it ties with Miller County's 0.627% rate as the region's most tax-friendly. Both significantly undercut neighbors like Mercer, Mississippi, and Montgomery.

Median tax bill: roughly $1,101 yearly

Owners of a median-value home in Morgan County worth $180,400 pay approximately $1,101 annually in property taxes, or $1,202 with mortgage escrow. This translates to about $92 per month—among the best rates in Missouri.

Even tax deals deserve verification

While Morgan County offers notably low tax rates, homeowners should still verify their assessed values are accurate and fair. Confirming your assessment keeps your tax advantage secure for years to come.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Morgan County

via CostByCounty

Morgan's rent burden significantly stressed

Morgan County renters spend 16.7% of their income on rent, above the comfortable 12-15% national range. This elevated burden leaves households with less margin for unexpected expenses or financial goals.

Above Missouri state average

Morgan's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it in the less affordable category of Missouri counties. The 1.1-percentage-point gap reflects tighter housing affordability than the statewide norm.

Higher rents on lower incomes

Morgan's median rent of $692/month sits in the midrange of surrounding counties, but the county's median income of $49,663 is among the region's lowest. This income-cost gap drives Morgan's affordability squeeze.

Morgan's compressed household budget

Morgan County residents earn $49,663 annually, paying $692/month in rent or $743/month for mortgages on homes valued at $180,400. Renters see roughly 17% of gross income consumed by housing, leaving tight budgets for other priorities.

Morgan requires income-conscious planning

If you're relocating to Morgan County, the 16.7% rent-to-income ratio means housing is less affordable than nearby options like Mercer (10.9%) or Moniteau (14.1%). Ensure your income aligns with the area's costs before moving.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Morgan County

via IncomeByCounty

Morgan County's income falls short nationally

Morgan County's median household income of $49,663 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $25,100, indicating substantial economic gap. Despite lower household income, Morgan's per capita income of $30,589 suggests above-state-average individual earnings.

Below state average, lower ranked

Morgan County's median household income of $49,663 lags Missouri's state average of $59,503 by nearly $10,000. Among the eight surveyed counties, Morgan ranks in the lower half, reflecting limited household earning power.

Lower-tier earner in region

Morgan County's $49,663 income ranks fifth among eight counties, exceeding only Mississippi ($46,258), Monroe ($48,299), and New Madrid ($49,237). The $15,500 gap to Moniteau ($65,161) highlights economic disparities within the immediate region.

High home values challenge affordability

Morgan County's 16.7% rent-to-income ratio approaches affordability strain, and the situation worsens when paired with the median home value of $180,400—the highest in the dataset. Households earn modestly while facing the steepest homeownership costs, creating real barriers.

Seek down-payment assistance programs

Morgan households aspiring to homeownership should explore state and federal first-time buyer programs, which can reduce down payments and closing costs. Consulting a HUD-certified housing counselor clarifies available grants and low-interest loan options.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Morgan County

via HealthByCounty

Morgan faces severe health crisis

At 73.8 years, Morgan County residents live 0.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.4 years, with a troubling 21.9% poor or fair health rate—among America's highest. The county's 21.4% uninsured rate is more than double Missouri's state average, creating a perfect storm of unprotected, struggling residents.

Missouri's uninsured crisis zone

Morgan's 21.4% uninsured rate is nearly double Missouri's 12.5% state average, making it one of the state's most underinsured counties. With life expectancy at 73.8 years, trailing Missouri's 74.3-year average, Morgan represents a community facing compounded health disadvantages.

Uninsurance crisis among peers

Morgan's 21.4% uninsured rate far exceeds all neighboring counties—Moniteau at 17.7% is the closest peer—revealing a community coverage catastrophe. Despite 28 primary care providers per 100K, the uninsured population cannot access this supply, leaving a gap between supply and actual care.

Uninsurance drives health crisis

With 21.4% uninsured—nearly 1 in 5 residents—Morgan faces barriers that 28 primary care providers cannot overcome; the uninsured cannot afford visits or medicines. The 21.9% poor or fair health rate reflects a population in crisis, where uninsurance prevents preventive care and early treatment.

Coverage is urgent in Morgan

Morgan's 21.4% uninsured rate represents a public health emergency—every uninsured resident risks catastrophic medical debt and delayed care. Apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately at healthcare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE; Morgan residents cannot afford to stay uninsured.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Morgan County

via RiskByCounty

Morgan faces elevated national risk

Morgan County's composite risk score of 75.48 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the national median. This score reflects substantially higher exposure to natural disasters than most American counties.

Missouri's highest-risk county

Morgan's score of 75.48 exceeds all other Missouri counties and stands 49% above the state average of 50.56. Morgan faces the most significant natural disaster exposure in the entire state, demanding heightened preparedness.

Significantly riskier than nearby counties

Morgan's 75.48 dramatically exceeds neighbors like Miller (55.09), Moniteau (31.01), and most surrounding regions. Morgan stands out as an exceptional risk zone within its local context.

Flood and tornado dominate hazards

Flood risk scores 82.73 and tornado risk 79.13—among Missouri's highest levels for both hazards. Wildfire risk at 72.26 and earthquake risk at 67.14 also rank significantly above state averages, creating a multi-hazard environment.

Comprehensive insurance coverage essential

Morgan residents absolutely require flood insurance and should evaluate windstorm or additional tornado coverage given extreme exposure. Investing in property hardening—elevated utilities, reinforced structures, and roof upgrades—provides critical protection in Missouri's highest-risk county.

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.