countyscore
44.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 93.4Health 80.6Lawn Care 75.5

County Report Card

About Platte County, Missouri

High Prosperity with High Costs

Platte County carries a composite score of 45.2, trailing the national median of 50.0. While the county is wealthy, high costs and risks drag down its overall national percentile ranking.

Prosperous but Below State Average

The county's score of 45.2 sits below Missouri's state average of 50.3. Despite being an economic engine for the region, its high cost of living creates a unique set of livability trade-offs.

Leading the State in Wealth

Platte County boasts a dominant Income Score of 94.1, with a median household income of $95,748. Health outcomes are also elite, with a score of 80.6 reflecting a high quality of local healthcare services.

Steep Costs and High Risk

Affordability is the main hurdle, as seen in a low Cost Score of 10.7 and median home values of $317,600. The county also faces a Risk Score of 28.6, indicating higher vulnerability to environmental or economic shifts.

Built for High-Earning Professionals

This county is perfect for affluent families who prioritize top-tier health services and high-paying careers. Residents here trade housing affordability for a high-status lifestyle and excellent economic opportunities.

2040608010032.110.14380.65493.428.656.354.2Tax32.1Cost10.1Safety43Health80.6Schools54Income93.4Risk28.6Water56.3Weather54.244.7/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Platte County DNA

Foverall

How Platte County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Platte County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (93.4/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (10.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
32.1-19.9
Cost
10.1-37.9
Safety
43-12
Health
80.6+30.599999999999994
Schools
54
Income
93.4+42.400000000000006
Risk
28.6-18.4
Water
56.3
Weather
54.2
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Compare mortgage rates in Platte County

Whether buying or refinancing in Platte County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$345,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,334/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$345,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $96,227/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.2

per 100K

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

Sonoma County
California
Median income: $104,674
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Dodge County
Georgia
Median income: $51,587
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Pennington County
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Median income: $77,325
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Rutherford County
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Median income: $51,410
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York County
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Median income: $84,829
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Butler County
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Median income: $44,755
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Mariposa County
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Nevada County
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Median income: $89,882
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Nearby counties

Leavenworth County
Kansas
39.4
Wyandotte County
Kansas
37
Clay County
Missouri
45.6
Buchanan County
Missouri
31.7
Atchison County
Kansas
48
Clinton County
Missouri
47.8
Johnson County
Kansas
41.8
Jackson County
Missouri
35.5

Deep Dives

Platte County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Platte County

via TaxByCounty

Platte County taxes exceed national average

Platte County's effective tax rate of 1.060% stands significantly above the national median, and its residents pay $3,365 in annual property taxes—25% more than the national median of $2,690. This county ranks among higher-tax areas nationwide.

Missouri's highest property tax county

Platte County has the highest effective tax rate among all counties measured in this analysis at 1.060%, well above Missouri's state average of 0.733%. With a median tax bill of $3,365, Platte County residents pay nearly three times the state median of $1,199.

Significantly higher than regional peers

Platte County's 1.060% rate far exceeds every nearby county in this analysis—Phelps at 0.640%, Pike at 0.768%, Polk at 0.581%, and all others. The county stands apart as a high-tax outlier in its region.

What $317,600 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $317,600 pays approximately $3,365 in annual property taxes in Platte County. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $3,429; without one, it drops to $3,202.

Review your assessment carefully

Given Platte County's high tax burden, homeowners should thoroughly review their property assessments for accuracy and consider filing an appeal if their assessed value exceeds market value. Even small reductions in assessed value can translate to significant annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Platte County

via IncomeByCounty

Platte exceeds the nation

Platte County's median household income of $95,748 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 28%, placing it among the wealthier U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects Platte's prosperous communities and higher-income earning residents.

Missouri's income champion

Platte County leads Missouri by a wide margin, with median household income 61% above the state average of $59,503. Its per capita income of $49,273 nearly doubles Missouri's $31,011 state average, indicating broad-based prosperity across the county.

Platte dominates the region

Platte's $95,748 income towers over neighboring counties—Pike ($57,572), Putnam ($56,875), Phelps ($55,427), and Polk ($56,686) all earn roughly 40% less. Even Pulaski County ($66,435) and Ralls County ($62,054), the next-highest in the region, fall substantially short of Platte's exceptional standing.

Housing costs well-managed

Platte County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% is healthy despite its median home value of $317,600. Higher earners here can comfortably support home purchases, with the median home representing roughly 3.3 years of household income—a reasonable proportion for affluent counties.

Maximize your Platte advantage

Platte County households earning $95,748 are well-positioned to build substantial wealth through strategic investing. Beyond mortgage principal, prioritize maxing out retirement accounts, diversifying into real estate and stock portfolios, and consulting a financial advisor to navigate tax-efficient strategies for long-term asset growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Platte County

via CrimeByCounty

Platte County's Strong National Standing

Platte County reports a total crime rate of 1,287.4 per 100K, significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance contributes to a high safety score of 98.0.

Platte County Leads State Safety

The county's safety score of 98.0 exceeds the Missouri average of 97.0. With ten reporting agencies, the data shows a consistently lower crime volume than the state average of 1,926.2 per 100K.

Regional Safety Comparisons

Platte County maintains a much safer profile than many neighboring urban centers. Its total crime rate is nearly 300 points lower than nearby Randolph County and less than half the state average.

Low Violent Crime Rates

Violent crime in Platte County is remarkably rare, with only 100.9 incidents per 100K reported in 2022. Property crime accounts for nearly all local incidents but remains well below the national property crime benchmark.

Maintaining a Safe Household

Because property crime represents the vast majority of local reports, home security is a smart investment. Residents can deter opportunistic theft by using visible security cameras and secure entry points.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Platte County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Temperatures with Midwestern Extremes

Platte County averages 54.7°F annually, slightly outpacing the national median. It is characterized by its humid continental climate which brings a wide range of seasonal variability.

Typical of Missouri's Thermal Core

The county’s 54.7°F average is nearly identical to the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. While its precipitation is slightly lower than the state norm, its 18.2 inches of snowfall is relatively high for the region.

Snowy Influence on the Kansas Border

Platte experiences more snowfall than its eastern neighbor Clay, receiving 18.2 inches annually. It is also slightly warmer and wetter than the more northern Putnam County.

Hot July Peaks and Snowy Januaries

Summers are hot with 36 days of 90°F+ temperatures and a July average of 78.2°F. Winter is defined by 18.2 inches of snow and a Dec-Feb average that stays just below freezing at 31.9°F.

Prepare for Snow Removal and Cooling

Residents should keep snow blowers ready to manage nearly 20 inches of annual accumulation. Energy-efficient windows can help manage costs during the 36 annual days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Platte County

via SoilByCounty

Perfectly Balanced pH in Platte

Platte County hits the national sweet spot with an average pH of 6.52, almost identical to the national median of 6.5. This balanced acidity facilitates optimal nutrient uptake for most agricultural and garden plants. It is one of the most chemically balanced soil profiles in the state.

Silt-Dominant Heavy Loams

The soil is predominantly silt at 64.6%, complemented by 24.3% clay and just 10.2% sand. This creates a heavy, nutrient-dense base that holds together well under active cultivation. The low sand content means the soil stays cool and moist longer than sandier neighbors.

Strong Water Retention Capabilities

Organic matter sits at 2.35%, exceeding the national average of 2.0% but trailing the Missouri state average of 4.74%. However, the available water capacity of 0.200 in/in is robust, surpassing the state benchmark of 0.183 in/in. This provides a significant buffer against short-term drought conditions.

Managing Dense Soil Drainage

Specific drainage and hydrologic classifications are not currently documented in this dataset for Platte County. However, the heavy silt and clay mix typically implies slower percolation and potential for surface runoff. Local gardeners should monitor how their plots handle heavy Missouri thunderstorms.

A Premier Spot for Zone 6b

Zone 6b offers a long growing season for tomatoes, peppers, and hardy orchard fruits. The balanced pH and superior water capacity make Platte County a premier location to establish a productive backyard plot. Start your seeds early to make the most of this exceptional soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Platte County

via LawnByCounty

Excellent Growing Potential in Platte

Platte County is a standout for Missouri lawn care, with a difficulty score of 75.5. This score is much higher than both the national average of 50.0 and the state average of 63.7, indicating a very user-friendly environment. Homeowners here in Zone 6b enjoy some of the most favorable growing conditions in the region.

Reliable Rains and Mild Summers

The county receives 39.3 inches of rain annually, fitting perfectly into the ideal 30-50 inch range for healthy turf. With 36 extreme heat days, Platte stays slightly cooler than the state average of 37 days. The 4025 growing degree days ensure a robust season that isn't overly aggressive for mowing schedules.

Ideal Soil for Healthy Roots

A soil pH of 6.52 is practically perfect for grass, requiring very little modification to allow for maximum nutrient absorption. The soil composition is 24.3% clay and 10.2% sand, providing good structure for root anchoring. While specific drainage data is limited, the high clay content suggests that periodic aeration will help prevent soil compaction.

Strong Resilience Against Dry Weather

Platte County shows high resilience, with only 18 weeks spent in drought over the past year. Currently, the entire county is in a D0 abnormally dry state, but there is no severe drought (D2+) reported. Strategic watering during the 18-week dry periods will keep your lawn green through the summer months.

Your Zone 6b Planting Guide

Wait until after the April 13 frost to begin spring seeding, or target the fall before the October 24 first frost. Fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrass thrive here, benefiting from the moderate 78.2°F July temperatures. With a high success score of 75.5, it is a great time to refresh your curb appeal.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Platte County's county score?
Platte County, Missouri has a composite county score of 44.7 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 Platte County rank among counties in Missouri?
Platte County ranks #81 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 Platte County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Platte County is $3,613, with an effective tax rate of 1.05%. This earns Platte County a tax score of 32.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Platte County?
The median household income in Platte County, Missouri is $96,227 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Platte County earns an income score of 93.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Platte County, Missouri a good place to live?
Platte County scores 44.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #81 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Platte 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 Platte County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.