countyscore
63.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 86Safety 79.7Cost of Living 78.8

County Report Card

About Ralls County, Missouri

Ralls County Ranks Highly Nationwide

With a composite score of 61.9, Ralls County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0. It is among the most livable rural counties in the United States according to these metrics.

Surpassing the Missouri Benchmark

Ralls County's score of 61.9 is nearly 12 points higher than the state average of 50.3. This highlights the county as a premier destination for Missourians looking for stability and value.

Leading in Safety and Value

Residents enjoy exceptional security with a Risk Score of 86.0 and a Safety Score of 79.7. The Cost Score of 73.4 is equally impressive, supported by a median home value of only $153,400.

Water Infrastructure Lags Behind

The county's most significant weakness is its Water Score of 19.9, the lowest in its profile. It also has a middle-of-the-road Income Score of 45.5, with median household incomes at $62,054.

A Top Choice for Secure Families

Ralls County is a standout for families who want a safe, low-risk environment without the high price tag of a suburb. It offers a rare combination of community safety and housing affordability.

204060801005778.879.750.947.748.98619.955.4Tax57Cost78.8Safety79.7Health50.9Schools47.7Income48.9Risk86Water19.9Weather55.463.2/100
This county
National avg
3 above average1 below average

Ralls County DNA

D+overall

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

Ralls County excels in 3 of 9 measured dimensions, led by Disaster Risk (86/100). A few areas trail the national average, including Water Quality (19.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
57
Cost
78.8+30.799999999999997
Safety
79.7+24.700000000000003
Health
50.9
Schools
47.7
Income
48.9
Risk
86+39
Water
19.9-38.1
Weather
55.4
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$168,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$749/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$168,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,388/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

28.9

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

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Valley County
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Stokes County
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Edgefield County
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Median income: $73,029
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Baca County
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Baker County
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Median income: $46,012
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Nearby counties

Marion County
Missouri
42.8
Pike County
Missouri
54.9
Monroe County
Missouri
57.7
Audrain County
Missouri
52.3
Pike County
Illinois
55.6
Adams County
Illinois
54.9
Shelby County
Missouri
59.7
Lewis County
Missouri
63

Deep Dives

Ralls County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ralls County

via TaxByCounty

Ralls County taxes significantly lower nationally

Ralls County's effective tax rate of 0.757% falls below the national median, with homeowners paying $1,161 in annual property taxes versus $2,690 nationally. County residents benefit from substantially lower tax burdens compared to the typical American homeowner.

Slightly above Missouri average

Ralls County's 0.757% effective rate sits slightly above Missouri's state average of 0.733%, yet its median tax bill of $1,161 edges just below the state median of $1,199. The county offers near-average property tax conditions for the state.

Mid-range taxes for the region

Ralls County's 0.757% rate falls between Phelps County's 0.640% and Pike County's 0.768%, placing it in the regional middle ground. The county's tax burden is more favorable than Platte (1.060%) and Putnam (0.987%) but higher than Polk (0.581%).

What $153,400 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $153,400 pays approximately $1,161 in annual property taxes in Ralls County. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,291; without one, it drops to $1,033.

Challenge overvalued assessments

Ralls County homeowners should periodically verify their property assessments align with current market conditions, as assessment errors can inflate tax bills over time. If your assessed value exceeds comparable properties in your area, consider filing an appeal with the county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ralls County

via IncomeByCounty

Ralls moderately below national mark

Ralls County's median household income of $62,054 trails the national median of $74,755 by 17%, a notably smaller gap than most rural Missouri peers. This represents relatively stronger income positioning for a small, agricultural-leaning county.

Missouri's upper-middle tier

Ralls County exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by $2,551, placing it solidly in the state's upper-middle income tier. Per capita income of $31,075 nearly matches Missouri's $31,011 average, indicating fairly even earning distribution.

Second-best in the neighborhood

Ralls ($62,054) ranks second only to Platte ($95,748) in this region, outpacing Pulaski ($66,435)—wait, that's incorrect; Pulaski slightly leads at $66,435. Ralls still comfortably exceeds Pike ($57,572), Putnam ($56,875), Phelps ($55,427), Polk ($56,686), and Randolph ($55,310).

Balanced housing affordability

Ralls County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.8% is healthy, falling in the favorable range for rental affordability. The median home value of $153,400 translates to roughly 2.5 years of median household income, representing a reasonable entry point for homeownership.

Build on Ralls' stability

Ralls County households earning $62,054 benefit from manageable housing costs and stable community roots. Lock in mortgage principal-building, establish automatic transfers to retirement and investment accounts, and explore local business or real estate opportunities to leverage community relationships for additional wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Ralls County

via CrimeByCounty

Ralls County Safety Assessment

Ralls County holds a stellar safety score of 99.2, far exceeding national expectations. Its total crime rate of 482.8 per 100K is roughly five times lower than the national average.

A Top Performer in Missouri

With a safety score of 99.2, Ralls County is significantly more secure than the state average of 97.0. Local law enforcement manages a crime rate that is 75% lower than the state average of 1,926.2.

Regional Safety Leader

Ralls County is even safer than neighbor Pike County, reporting roughly half the crime per 100K residents. This makes it one of the most secure regions in northeast Missouri.

Minimal Crime Statistics

Violent crime is nearly nonexistent at 57.9 per 100K, while property crime is also low at 424.9. These numbers translate to a very high level of personal and property security for residents.

Securing Your Property

Even in very safe counties, property crimes like theft can occur. Simple measures such as deadbolts and outdoor lighting are excellent ways to maintain the county's peaceful reputation.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Ralls County

via WeatherByCounty

Typical Heartfelt Midwestern Weather

Ralls County’s 55.0°F average annual temperature sits just above the national median. This indicates a climate with robust seasonal shifts and standard precipitation levels.

Aligning Closely with Missouri Norms

Ralls is nearly a perfect match for Missouri’s state average temperature of 54.9°F. Its annual precipitation of 40.1 inches is slightly below the state average, making it a relatively dry part of the state.

Stable Conditions in Northeast Missouri

Ralls is slightly warmer than its neighbor Pike County and experiences more extreme heat days. It shares the same humid continental patterns that define the Mississippi River valley region.

Intense Summer Heat Peaks

The county faces a hot summer with 37 days of temperatures over 90°F and a July average of 78.6°F. Winters are cold but manageable, with a December to February average of 31.8°F.

Prepare for Long Summer Stretches

With 37 extreme heat days, residents should ensure their cooling systems are serviced before June. While snowfall data is limited, winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, requiring home winterization.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Ralls County

via SoilByCounty

Productive Silty Clay Loams in Ralls

Ralls County soils are predominantly silty clay loams within the Entisols order, sporting a healthy pH of 6.34. This level is very close to the national median of 6.5, making the ground highly accessible for various plant species. It is among the more productive soil types in northeast Missouri.

Silt-Heavy Soils for Stable Farming

A high silt percentage of 64.7% dominates the profile, supported by 21.2% clay and 14.0% sand. This mixture offers excellent workability while retaining the stability needed for large-scale farming and gardening. The low sand content ensures that the soil stays cohesive and nutrient-rich.

Leading the State in Water Capacity

Organic matter measures 2.52%, which is comfortably above the national 2.0% average. The available water capacity is a high 0.207 in/in, significantly outperforming the Missouri state average of 0.183 in/in. This makes the county exceptionally resilient against dry weather patterns.

Reliable Drainage and Moisture Control

These well-drained soils belong to hydrologic group C, offering a great balance between water retention and runoff prevention. Such traits are ideal for maintaining consistent moisture levels for row crops or home gardens. It provides a predictable environment for land development.

A Versatile Climate in Zone 6a

Zone 6a provides a versatile climate for growing everything from orchard fruits to summer squash. Utilize this high water capacity soil to build a thriving and resilient garden this season. The balanced pH ensures that your vegetables will have all the nutrients they need.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Ralls County

via LawnByCounty

Above Average Lawn Success in Ralls

Ralls County features a lawn difficulty score of 65.0, placing it slightly above the Missouri state average of 63.7. In this Zone 6a climate, gardeners find conditions more favorable than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a good balance between climate challenges and soil quality.

Typical Missouri Heat and Moisture

The county averages 37 extreme heat days annually, exactly matching the Missouri state average. Rainfall is also consistent at 40.1 inches per year, which is well within the ideal range for maintaining lush turf. With 4121 growing degree days, the grass stays active and growing for a standard midwestern season.

Healthy Soil for Deep Roots

Ralls County soil has a favorable pH of 6.34, which is within the 6.0-7.0 sweet spot for nutrient availability. The silty clay loam texture, featuring 21.2% clay and 14.0% sand, offers great stability for roots. Because the soil is well-drained, homeowners face fewer issues with fungal diseases and root rot.

Managing 32 Weeks of Drought

Homeowners have navigated 32 weeks of drought in the last year, a significant duration that requires careful water management. Currently, 100% of the county is abnormally dry, though no severe drought is reported. To build resilience, keep grass height high to protect the crown and shade the silty clay loam soil.

Growing Tips for Ralls County

The growing season is framed by an early last frost on April 4 and a first fall frost on November 4. Zone 6a is ideal for tall fescue and fine fescue blends that can handle the 78.6°F July average. Start your seeds in the fall to allow roots to establish before the January cold kicks in.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ralls County's county score?
Ralls County, Missouri has a composite county score of 63.2 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 Ralls County rank among counties in Missouri?
Ralls County ranks #8 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 Ralls County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Ralls County is $1,229, with an effective tax rate of 0.73%. This earns Ralls County a tax score of 57/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Ralls County?
The median household income in Ralls County, Missouri is $65,388 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Ralls County earns an income score of 48.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Ralls County, Missouri a good place to live?
Ralls County scores 63.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Ralls 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 Ralls 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.