CountyScore

Phelps County

Missouri · MO

#65 in Missouri
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Phelps County, Missouri

Well Above the National Average

Phelps County scores 75.0 on the CountyScore composite index, 50% higher than the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability, driven by strong performance in tax and housing affordability.

Slightly Ahead of Missouri

At 75.0, Phelps County edges out the Missouri state average of 74.8, ranking it near the top tier of the state's counties. This competitive position reflects the county's balanced approach to fiscal policy and housing costs.

Tax Breaks and Affordable Housing

Phelps County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 84.3, backed by an effective tax rate of just 0.640%. Housing affordability is equally strong, with a 81.9 cost score and median home values of $194,900, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious families.

Income Growth Remains Limited

The county's income score of 19.6 reveals a significant constraint: median household income stands at just $55,427, well below state and national averages. While data on safety, health, and schools is not yet available, income limitations suggest residents may face constraints on long-term wealth building.

Best for Budget-First Families

Phelps County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over higher incomes. The county offers solid livability at a lower cost of living, though prospective residents should research employment opportunities carefully before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.3Cost81.9SafetyComing SoonHealth63.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk46.3WaterComing Soon
🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡46.3
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 Phelps County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
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69.7
Median income: $129,477
Park County
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69.7
Median income: $95,450
Franklin County
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69.7
Median income: $52,264

Deep Dives

Phelps County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Phelps County

via TaxByCounty

Phelps taxes lag national average

Phelps County's effective tax rate of 0.640% sits well below the national median, meaning homeowners here pay considerably less than their counterparts across the country. At $1,248 in median annual property taxes, Phelps residents pay less than half the national median of $2,690, placing the county in a lower-tax tier nationally.

Among Missouri's lowest tax counties

Phelps County ranks as one of Missouri's more affordable places for property taxation, with an effective rate of 0.640% compared to the state average of 0.733%. The county's median tax bill of $1,248 falls just above the state median of $1,199, offering homeowners modest tax savings.

Competitive with regional peers

Phelps County's 0.640% rate places it in the middle of the pack among nearby counties—below Pike County's 0.768% but above Polk County's 0.581%. Homeowners here pay moderate property taxes compared to their regional neighbors.

What $194,900 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $194,900 pays approximately $1,248 in annual property taxes in Phelps County. With a mortgage, that annual bill rises to $1,319; without one, it drops to $1,135.

Check if you're overassessed

Many homeowners in Phelps County may be paying more in property taxes than they should due to inflated assessments. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your neighborhood, you have the right to file an appeal with the county assessor's office.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Phelps County

via CostByCounty

Phelps rents eat more than most

Renters in Phelps County spend 17.3% of income on rent, above the national sweet spot of roughly 15%. With a median household income of $55,427—nearly $20,000 below the U.S. average of $74,755—housing costs take a larger bite of paychecks here than they do nationally.

Slightly tighter than Missouri average

Phelps County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Missouri's state average of 15.6%, putting it in the less affordable half of the state. However, the median rent of $801 is only $33 higher than the state median, suggesting the affordability gap is driven more by lower incomes than soaring rents.

Pricier than Pike, tighter than Pulaski

Phelps rents ($801/month) run higher than nearby Pike County ($742) but significantly lower than Pulaski County ($1,072). Renters here face moderate pressure—better than Pulaski's pinch but worse than Pike's bargain.

Renters feel it; homeowners manage

The median rent of $801/month consumes 17.3% of the median household income, while the median mortgage cost of $796 takes roughly 17.2% for homeowners. Both paths lean toward affordability stress, yet homeownership costs remain comparable to rental, offering little advantage to buyers.

Consider Phelps if stability matters most

Phelps offers stable, modestly priced housing with median home values around $194,900, making it an option for buyers seeking solid footing without big-city prices. Compare closely with Pike County if you prioritize rock-bottom rents, or consider Pulaski if job opportunities justify higher costs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Phelps County

via IncomeByCounty

Phelps lags behind the nation

Phelps County's median household income of $55,427 falls 25.8% below the national median of $74,755. This gap suggests households here earn substantially less than the typical American family, reflecting broader rural income challenges across Missouri's interior.

Below Missouri average

Phelps County ranks in the lower half of Missouri counties, with median income running $4,076 below the state average of $59,503. The county's per capita income of $29,191 also trails Missouri's $31,011 average, indicating fewer high-earning households.

Neighbors show mixed fortunes

Phelps sits among a cluster of counties with modest incomes: Pike County ($57,572) and Putnam County ($56,875) are slightly ahead, while Polk County ($56,686) and Randolph County ($55,310) are nearly on par. Platte County ($95,748) stands as a clear regional outlier with nearly 73% higher household income.

Housing costs remain manageable

At 17.3%, Phelps County's rent-to-income ratio sits at a reasonable level, meaning renters spend a sustainable share of earnings on housing. However, the median home value of $194,900 still represents 3.5 years of median household income, requiring significant savings for homeownership.

Build financial security here

Phelps County households earning $55,427 can strengthen their position through consistent saving and investing. Starting with even a modest emergency fund of $1,000–$2,000 protects against unexpected costs, while exploring employer retirement plans and low-cost index funds compounds wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Phelps County

via HealthByCounty

Phelps lags behind national life expectancy

At 73.2 years, Phelps County residents live about 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.1 years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, compared to roughly one in eight nationwide.

Below Missouri's health baseline

Phelps County's life expectancy of 73.2 years falls 1.1 years below Missouri's average of 74.3 years. The county ranks in the lower half statewide for health outcomes.

Stronger than most rural peers

Phelps County has notably better provider access than neighboring Pike County (17 primary care providers per 100K) and Ralls County (10 per 100K). With 82 primary care providers per 100K, Phelps sits among its region's healthier-resourced counties.

11.7% uninsured, steady access

Phelps County's uninsured rate of 11.7% sits just below the state average of 12.5%, meaning most residents have coverage. The county maintains solid mental health capacity at 367 providers per 100K, well above state needs.

Check your coverage options today

If you're among the 11.7% of Phelps County residents without insurance, explore Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, or employer benefits. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find plans that fit your needs and budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Phelps County

via RiskByCounty

Phelps County's moderate risk profile

Phelps County scores 53.72 on the national composite risk scale, placing it slightly above the national average and marking it as relatively low risk overall. This score reflects a balanced hazard profile where earthquake risk (79.48) stands out as notably elevated compared to other threats in the county.

Above average for Missouri

With a score of 53.72, Phelps County ranks above Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it in the middle tier of the state's 114 counties. The county's composite risk is driven primarily by earthquake exposure rather than the flooding and tornado risks that dominate other parts of Missouri.

Compared to surrounding counties

Phelps County's risk profile (53.72) sits between nearby Pike County (40.30, very low) and Pulaski County (60.53, relatively low). While Phelps faces higher earthquake risk than Pike, it experiences lower overall composite risk than Pulaski, which sits directly to the south.

Earthquakes and wildfires pose concern

Phelps County's earthquake risk of 79.48 is its most significant hazard, substantially higher than the state average. Wildfire risk (57.86) and flood risk (52.35) round out the top three threats, though tornado risk (38.45) remains relatively modest compared to other Missouri counties.

Secure your home against multiple threats

Residents should prioritize comprehensive homeowners insurance that covers earthquake damage, a rare but critical need in Phelps County. Adding flood insurance and ensuring adequate coverage for wildfire-related losses will provide protection against the county's full range of natural hazards.

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.