CountyScore

Polk County

Missouri · MO

#69 in Missouri
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Polk County, Missouri

Exceptional Value Above National Standard

Polk County scores 75.8, 52% above the national median of 50.0, ranking among the nation's more livable counties. The score reflects balanced strengths in both fiscal and housing affordability.

Tops Missouri's State Average

At 75.8, Polk County exceeds the Missouri average of 74.8, putting it among the state's best-performing counties. This competitive ranking demonstrates the county's appeal relative to other Missouri options.

Lowest Tax Burden in the Group

Polk County boasts the lowest effective tax rate at 0.581%, paired with a 85.9 tax score—the highest among all eight counties. A cost score of 82.0 and median home value of $189,600 further cement its reputation as fiscally efficient.

Income Growth Lags Slightly

The county's income score of 20.4 and median household income of $56,686 indicate limited earning potential, typical of rural Missouri. Data gaps on schools, health, and safety require residents to conduct supplementary research before moving.

Perfect for Tax-Conscious Families

Polk County is ideal for retirees, fixed-income households, and families prioritizing low taxes above all else. The county delivers exceptional fiscal value, making it particularly attractive to those with stable incomes from outside sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.9Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth60.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk45.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45.5
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 Polk County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Arkansas
69.5
Median income: $55,187
Burke County
Georgia
69.5
Median income: $50,739
Henderson County
Illinois
69.5
Median income: $65,651
Hamilton County
Iowa
69.5
Median income: $71,750
Coffey County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $67,377

Deep Dives

Polk County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Polk County

via TaxByCounty

Polk County offers lowest tax rate nationally

Polk County's effective tax rate of 0.581% ranks among the lowest in the nation, with homeowners paying just $1,101 in median annual property taxes compared to the national median of $2,690. This county delivers substantial tax savings for property owners.

Well below Missouri's tax average

Polk County's 0.581% effective rate is the lowest among all counties analyzed here and well below Missouri's state average of 0.733%. The county's median tax bill of $1,101 sits below the state median of $1,199, offering homeowners consistent tax relief.

Region's most tax-friendly county

Polk County's 0.581% rate is the lowest in its region, beating Phelps County's 0.640%, Pike County's 0.768%, and every other measured neighbor. Homeowners here enjoy the region's most favorable tax environment.

What $189,600 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $189,600 pays approximately $1,101 in annual property taxes in Polk County. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,192; without one, it drops to $972.

Verify your assessment remains fair

Even in low-tax Polk County, homeowners should periodically verify their property assessments reflect current market value. If your assessed value appears inflated, filing an appeal can further reduce your already modest tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Polk County

via CostByCounty

Polk rents pinch slightly harder

Polk County residents spend 16.8% of income on rent, exceeding Missouri's 15.6% state average and pushing toward national affordability stress. With median household income of $56,686—well below the national $74,755—the combination creates moderate housing pressure.

Above-average strain for Missouri

Polk County ranks in the less affordable tier of Missouri counties, with a 16.8% rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state average by 1.2 percentage points. This gap, though modest, signals that local incomes lag housing costs more than typical statewide.

Middle ground between bargains and pricey

Polk's $792 median rent sits slightly higher than Pike ($742) and Phelps ($801), while home values of $189,600 align closely with Phelps ($194,900). Polk occupies the middle of regional pricing, making it neither bargain nor burden.

Renters and owners share the strain

Renters pay $792/month (16.8% of income) and homeowners $805/month (17.0% of income), mirroring each other and suggesting comparable affordability stress across housing types. Both pathways consume roughly a sixth of household income, putting Polk in the tightness zone.

Polk offers stability at fair prices

Polk County suits relocators seeking reasonable housing costs and moderate community size without extreme affordability challenges. Compare it with Pike County if you want to shave costs further, or Platte if you're targeting a stronger job market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Polk County

via IncomeByCounty

Polk earns well below U.S. median

Polk County's median household income of $56,686 falls 24.2% short of the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects Polk's rural character and the broader income pressures facing small-town and agricultural communities nationwide.

Below average for Missouri

Polk County ranks among Missouri's lower-income counties, with median household income trailing the state average of $59,503 by $2,817. Per capita income of $28,199 also lags Missouri's $31,011, suggesting limited high-earning employment opportunities.

Clustered with modest-income peers

Polk County ($56,686) sits squarely within a band of similar-earning rural counties: Phelps ($55,427), Putnam ($56,875), and Randolph ($55,310). Platte County ($95,748) stands apart as the region's clear income leader, while Pulaski ($66,435) and Ralls ($62,054) show moderate advantages.

Housing costs stretch budgets

Polk County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is among the higher in this cluster, meaning renters devote a larger share of earnings to housing. At median home value of $189,600, homeownership requires roughly 3.3 years of median household income—a significant commitment.

Strategic saving builds security

Polk County households earning $56,686 can grow wealth by automating small monthly savings, even $100–$200, into dedicated investment accounts. Take advantage of any employer retirement match, explore individual retirement accounts, and consider homeownership as a long-term wealth-building tool when housing costs align with income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Polk County

via HealthByCounty

Polk County faces significant health challenges

At 74.6 years, Polk County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 78.1 years by 3.5 years. With 23% reporting poor or fair health—the highest in this county group—residents face documented wellness challenges.

Below average on Missouri's scorecard

Polk County's 74.6-year life expectancy barely exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year state average, placing it in the lower half of counties statewide. The 23% poor/fair health rate signals distress signals for policymakers.

Mixed provider resources locally

Polk County has 81 primary care providers per 100K—equal to top-tier Platte County—but its health outcomes lag significantly. With 232 mental health providers per 100K, the county punches above average in behavioral health despite overall challenges.

13.1% uninsured amid health strain

Polk County's 13.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state average by 0.6 percentage points, meaning insurance gaps compound existing health vulnerabilities. Provider availability alone cannot offset gaps in coverage and health behaviors.

Insurance is a health foundation

With 13.1% of Polk County residents uninsured, enrollment in Medicaid or ACA marketplace plans is an essential first step toward better outcomes. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Polk County

via RiskByCounty

Polk County's balanced moderate risks

Polk County scores 54.48 on the composite risk scale, slightly above the national average and rated as relatively low risk overall. The county faces a diverse hazard profile where wildfire (72.20) and tornado (73.47) risks are notably elevated, while earthquake risk (63.61) and flood risk (57.89) add to the overall exposure.

Mid-range risk within Missouri

Polk County's composite score of 54.48 sits just above Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it firmly in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county's wildfire and tornado risks are particular concerns compared to statewide patterns.

Higher risk than Pike, lower than Platte

Polk County (54.48) faces greater overall risk than Pike County (40.30) and Randolph County (35.85), but less than nearby Platte County (71.37). Its wildfire exposure (72.20) is the highest among nearby counties, reflecting the county's geographical and landscape characteristics.

Wildfire and tornado threats lead

Polk County's wildfire risk of 72.20 and tornado risk of 73.47 are the primary concerns, both substantially elevated compared to state averages. Earthquake risk (63.61) and flood risk (57.89) round out a multi-faceted hazard profile requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Plan for fire and wind damage

Polk County residents should ensure homeowners insurance covers both wildfire and tornado damage, with particular attention to wind coverage limits. Creating defensible space around homes and clearing gutters regularly mitigates wildfire risk, while securing roof structures protects against tornado winds.

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.