CountyScore

Pemiscot County

Missouri · MO

#112 in Missouri
62.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Pemiscot County, Missouri

Pemiscot County exceeds national baseline

Pemiscot County's composite score of 71.9 still ranks 44% above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid U.S. livability despite being the lowest-scoring county in this group. Housing affordability drives this competitive positioning.

Slightly below state average

At 71.9, Pemiscot County falls below Missouri's state average of 74.8, representing a slightly weaker livability profile than typical for the state. It ranks last among these eight counties in overall composite measure.

Housing remains deeply affordable

Pemiscot County's cost score of 85.9 reflects median home values of just $95,900 and median gross rent of $708/month—among the state's most affordable. These low housing costs remain the county's primary livability advantage.

Income and tax pressures

The income score of 10.0 with a median household income of $40,748 is the lowest among these eight counties, while the tax score of 73.8 and effective tax rate of 1.012% represent the highest tax burden in the group. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remain unavailable.

For ultra-budget seekers only

Pemiscot County appeals primarily to those with very limited means or fixed incomes seeking absolute minimum housing costs. The higher tax burden and lowest incomes in this group make it a compromise choice compared to neighbors.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.8Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth51.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome10Risk22WaterComing Soon
🏛73.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22
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 Pemiscot County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeSoto County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $50,868
Marion County
Florida
62.5
Median income: $58,535
Clarke County
Georgia
62.5
Median income: $52,267
McDonough County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $50,434
Morgan County
Illinois
62.5
Median income: $65,175

Deep Dives

Pemiscot County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pemiscot County

via TaxByCounty

Pemiscot carries Missouri's heaviest tax rate

Pemiscot County's effective tax rate of 1.012% ranks among the highest in the nation, nearly double the national median of 0.91%. Though homes here are affordable at $95,900 median value, the 1.012% rate produces steep tax liability compared to national standards.

Pemiscot leads Missouri in tax burden

Pemiscot County's 1.012% effective tax rate significantly exceeds Missouri's statewide average of 0.733%, making it the state's highest-tax county. At $970 median property tax, residents pay about 81% of the state median despite homes valued $95,900—the state's lowest.

Pemiscot far outpaces neighboring counties

Pemiscot's 1.012% rate towers above Dunklin, Mississippi, and New Madrid counties in the Bootheel region, making it significantly more expensive. Homebuyers comparing Bootheel properties should factor in Pemiscot's notably steeper tax obligations.

Pemiscot's elevated property tax burden

Even on an affordable $95,900 home, Pemiscot residents pay $970 annually—among the state's highest taxes for lowest-priced homes. With mortgage obligations, taxes climb to $1,354, consuming a larger percentage of household income than in neighboring counties.

Challenge assessments in Pemiscot County

Pemiscot's high tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially critical—even small reductions yield significant annual savings. Request a reassessment from your county assessor and compare your assessed value against recent comparable sales to identify overvaluation opportunities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pemiscot County

via CostByCounty

Pemiscot: America's Affordability Pressure Cooker

At 20.9%, Pemiscot County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's least affordable housing markets, with renters spending more than one-fifth of their $40,748 median income on rent alone. This extreme ratio—far above national averages—signals a critical mismatch between housing costs and earning power.

Missouri's Most Severe Affordability Crisis

Pemiscot County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio stands dramatically above Missouri's 15.6% state average, making it the state's least affordable county by a significant margin. The county's median income of $40,748 is the region's lowest, creating compounding affordability pressure.

Lowest Income Plus Above-Average Rent

Pemiscot County's $708 rent exceeds Oregon County and Ozark County's rates, yet its $40,748 median income is the region's lowest, creating the worst affordability squeeze in the peer group. This combination—higher-than-average rent on the lowest incomes—explains Pemiscot's extreme 20.9% ratio.

One-Fifth of Income Vanishes into Rent

Renters in Pemiscot County spend $708 monthly on rent—consuming 20.9% of their $40,748 household income—leaving severely constrained budgets for other essentials. Homeowners spend $651 monthly, or 19.1%, indicating affordability pressure affects both renters and owners.

Pemiscot Demands Dramatic Income Growth

Pemiscot County's affordability crisis is too severe for most relocating households unless you're securing employment at $55,000+ annually, well above the county median. Without a concrete, substantial income improvement, moving to Pemiscot will worsen your housing affordability, not improve it.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pemiscot County

via IncomeByCounty

Pemiscot income ranks among lowest

Pemiscot County's median household income of $40,748 falls 45.5% below the national median of $74,755. The county ranks in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties for household earnings.

Missouri's lowest-earning county

Pemiscot County households earn $40,748 annually, $18,755 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. This places Pemiscot at the very bottom of Missouri's 114 counties for median household income.

Most challenged county in analysis

Pemiscot County's $40,748 median is the lowest among the eight counties studied, trailing Oregon County ($44,259) and Ozark County ($42,329). The county's per capita income of $26,073 reflects acute economic stress in the bootheel region.

Housing costs create severe strain

Pemiscot County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% approaches the affordability crisis threshold, indicating substantial housing stress for renters. The median home value of $95,900 offers limited options for improving housing stability through homeownership.

Access support resources for stability

Pemiscot County residents face significant economic challenges requiring targeted support and planning. Seeking out nonprofit financial assistance, community development programs, and employer benefits can help households improve financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pemiscot County

via HealthByCounty

Pemiscot County faces catastrophic life expectancy gap

Pemiscot County residents live only 65.6 years on average—a shocking 10.5 years less than the U.S. average and 8.7 years below Missouri. With 26.9% reporting poor or fair health, Pemiscot experiences one of Missouri's most severe public health crises, driven by poverty, disease, and healthcare barriers.

Pemiscot has lowest life expectancy in Missouri

Pemiscot County's 65.6-year life expectancy is the lowest in Missouri, a staggering 8.7 years below the state average, reflecting decades of economic collapse and health system failure. This gap rivals some developing nations and demands emergency intervention.

Pemiscot has strong provider numbers but poor outcomes

Despite having 39 primary care providers and 212 mental health providers per 100,000—among the region's highest—Pemiscot's catastrophic life expectancy suggests these providers are overwhelmed or that deeper barriers (poverty, transportation, trust) prevent their use. The disconnect between availability and outcomes signals a system failure requiring investigation.

Pemiscot's uninsured rate compounds historic poverty

While Pemiscot's 11.9% uninsured rate is near Missouri's average, this masks deeper crises: available providers serve a population ravaged by poverty, obesity, diabetes, and substance abuse. Even insured residents struggle to convert coverage into health improvement without addressing the root causes of despair.

Pemiscot residents: coverage is a survival tool

If you're uninsured in Pemiscot County, health insurance removes at least one barrier to care and connects you with the county's available providers. Visit the Missouri Health Insurance Marketplace or call 1-855-Missouri1 immediately—your life expectancy depends on it.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pemiscot County

via RiskByCounty

Pemiscot faces exceptional earthquake risk

Pemiscot County's composite risk score of 77.96 places it among the higher-risk counties nationally, driven primarily by an exceptional earthquake risk score of 96.18. This seismic exposure reflects the county's proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of North America's most active fault systems.

Pemiscot ranks well above state average

Pemiscot County's composite risk score of 77.96 significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the state's highest-risk counties. The county's earthquake risk of 96.18 is the highest in Missouri, making seismic hazards a primary concern for residents and property owners.

Pemiscot's earthquake risk stands alone

Pemiscot County's earthquake risk of 96.18 dramatically exceeds nearby Dunklin and New Madrid counties, making it a seismic hotspot in the bootheel region. While tornado risk at 83.84 matches regional patterns, the earthquake exposure sets Pemiscot apart as uniquely vulnerable to ground movement.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate threats

Pemiscot County faces exceptional earthquake risk at 96.18, the highest statewide, combined with tornado risk at 83.84 that ranks among state leaders. The convergence of these two major hazards creates a particularly vulnerable situation requiring comprehensive preparedness and specialized insurance protections.

Earthquake coverage is non-negotiable

Pemiscot County homeowners must secure earthquake insurance or special endorsements, as standard policies exclude seismic damage in this high-risk zone. Tornado protection remains equally critical; residents should combine structural reinforcement, weather alerts, and comprehensive coverage to address both dominant 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.