New Madrid County

Missouri · MO

#95 in Missouri
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About New Madrid County, Missouri

Well above national livability bar

New Madrid County scores 75.8 on the composite index, substantially exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates meaningful advantages in livability relative to the typical American county.

Slightly above Missouri baseline

At 75.8, New Madrid County ranks just above Missouri's 74.8 state average, placing it in the upper-middle range of the state's 114 counties. It's a solid, reliable performer within its state context.

Exceptional housing value

New Madrid County shines with a Cost Score of 85.9 and affordability including median home value of just $105,500 and rent at $734 monthly. Its Tax Score of 82.4 and effective rate of 0.707% add further financial accessibility.

Income opportunities lag

The Income Score of 15.5 reflects median household income of $49,237, among the lowest in this county group. Critical gaps remain in safety, schools, health, and environmental data, preventing a fully informed livability assessment.

Ideal for cost-conscious relocators

New Madrid County appeals to anyone prioritizing ultra-affordable housing and low taxes over local employment opportunities. It's an excellent choice for retirees, remote workers, and those seeking maximum housing value with minimal tax burden.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.4Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth55.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.5Risk28.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼15.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
55.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
28.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

New Madrid County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in New Madrid County

via TaxByCounty

New Madrid taxes sit below national standard

New Madrid County's effective tax rate of 0.707% falls below the national median of approximately 0.82%, offering tax relief compared to most American counties. The median home value of $105,500 lags the national median of $281,900, contributing to a lower overall tax burden.

Below Missouri's statewide average

At 0.707%, New Madrid County's effective rate runs slightly below Missouri's average of 0.733%, making it a relatively affordable jurisdiction within the state. The median tax of $746 ranks among the lowest in Missouri, reflecting both a modest rate and lower home values.

Among the most affordable locally

New Madrid's 0.707% rate positions it among the region's tax bargains, outpacing Mercer, Mississippi, Moniteau, Monroe, and Montgomery, while trailing only Morgan and Miller. It represents one of the more wallet-friendly counties in rural Missouri.

Median tax just $746 per year

A median-value home in New Madrid County worth $105,500 generates approximately $746 annually in property taxes, or $905 with mortgage escrow included. At roughly $62 per month, this stands among the lowest tax burdens in the region.

Low rates don't guarantee fair assessments

Even with favorable tax rates, New Madrid homeowners should periodically check that their assessed values haven't drifted upward. A simple assessment review could confirm you're capturing the full benefit of the county's low-rate environment.

Cost of Living in New Madrid County

via CostByCounty

New Madrid faces severe rent burden

New Madrid County renters spend 17.9% of their income on rent, well above the comfortable 12-15% national range. This strained budget leaves households with minimal resources for savings, emergencies, or other essentials.

Significantly worse than Missouri

New Madrid's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% substantially exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, placing it among the least affordable counties in the state. The 2.3-percentage-point gap signals a serious affordability challenge.

High rents strain low incomes

New Madrid's median rent of $734/month rivals nearby Mississippi ($782), while the county's median income of $49,237 is among the region's lowest. This combination creates one of the region's toughest affordability situations.

New Madrid's income-housing crisis

New Madrid County residents earn just $49,237 annually, paying $734/month in rent or $619/month for mortgages on homes valued at $105,500. For renters, nearly 18% of gross income vanishes to housing costs, severely limiting financial flexibility.

New Madrid challenges budget seekers

If affordability is your priority, New Madrid County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio makes it a difficult choice compared to neighbors like Mercer (10.9%) or Moniteau (14.1%). Explore surrounding counties before committing to relocate here.

Income & Jobs in New Madrid County

via IncomeByCounty

New Madrid trails national income levels

New Madrid County's median household income of $49,237 falls roughly $25,500 below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county ranks among the lowest-earning areas in the surveyed group, reflecting economic stress relative to the broader nation.

Significantly below Missouri average

New Madrid County's median household income of $49,237 lags Missouri's state average of $59,503 by about $10,250. Among the eight surveyed counties, New Madrid ranks near the bottom, indicating substantial economic disadvantage.

Bottom-tier earnings in cluster

New Madrid County's $49,237 income ranks near the regional bottom, exceeding only Mississippi County ($46,258) and Monroe County ($48,299). The county trails Moniteau by nearly $16,000, highlighting concentrated economic challenges.

Housing costs take steep toll

New Madrid County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest among surveyed counties, placing severe pressure on household budgets. While the median home value of $105,500 is relatively modest, it still consumes a disproportionate share of the county's limited median income.

Access community support services

New Madrid residents should connect with local nonprofits, workforce development programs, and food banks to free up budget room for savings. Many counties offer free financial literacy workshops and assistance applying for tax credits and benefits designed to boost family income.

Health in New Madrid County

via HealthByCounty

New Madrid faces severe mortality gap

At 69.0 years, New Madrid County residents face a devastating 5.4-year life expectancy gap compared to the U.S. average of 74.4 years. The county's 24.0% poor or fair health rate ranks among America's worst, reflecting endemic poverty, chronic disease, and critical healthcare barriers.

Missouri's lowest life expectancy

New Madrid's 69.0-year life expectancy is the lowest in Missouri, 5.3 years below the state average of 74.3 years. This extreme gap signals a county in crisis, where residents face health outcomes comparable to developing nations, not the American Midwest.

Worst outcomes in the region

New Madrid's 69.0-year life expectancy is 7.1 years shorter than Monroe County (76.1 years) and 1.0 year lower than neighboring Mississippi County (70.0 years)—a regional outlier. With only 6 primary care providers per 100K, the county faces a critical provider shortage matched only by Moniteau County.

Dual crisis: uninsurance and provider shortage

New Madrid's 12.5% uninsured rate meets Missouri's state average, but just 6 primary care providers per 100K—the county's lowest supply—leaves residents without care access even if insured. Mental health services at 32 per 100K fall below regional averages, leaving behavioral health needs unmet.

Coverage first, advocacy second

New Madrid's 69-year life expectancy demands immediate action: ensure you and your family have health insurance, then advocate for provider recruitment. Visit healthcare.gov or MO Health Net to enroll, and contact local officials about the critical shortage of physicians and mental health care.

Disaster Risk in New Madrid County

via RiskByCounty

New Madrid faces elevated national risk

New Madrid County's composite risk score of 71.91 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but well above the national median. This score reflects substantially higher exposure to natural disasters than the typical American county.

Second-highest risk in Missouri

New Madrid's score of 71.91 ranks second only to Morgan County (75.48) in Missouri, standing 42% above the state average of 50.56. New Madrid carries among the state's most significant natural disaster exposure.

Distinctive earthquake risk regionally

New Madrid's 71.91 far exceeds most surrounding counties, though nearby Mississippi County (57.19) shares elevated seismic exposure. New Madrid's 96.12 earthquake score stands among Missouri's highest, distinguishing it sharply from regional peers.

Earthquake and tornado are primary threats

Earthquake risk scores an exceptional 96.12—the highest in Missouri—while tornado risk reaches 59.51. Hurricane risk at 43.26 ranks elevated, though flood and wildfire threats remain minimal due to the county's agricultural landscape.

Earthquake insurance is non-negotiable

New Madrid's extreme earthquake risk at 96.12 makes dedicated earthquake coverage absolutely essential for homeowners seeking protection. Securing structural anchors, bracing chimneys, and maintaining emergency supplies prepares households for the county's distinctive seismic threats.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.