Randolph County

Missouri · MO

#58 in Missouri
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Randolph County, Missouri

Above Average Nationally Despite Lower Scores

Randolph County scores 73.4, approximately 47% above the national median of 50.0. The score confirms good livability by national standards, though it trails most of its Missouri peers.

Underperforms Relative to Missouri

At 73.4, Randolph County falls below Missouri's 74.8 state average, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. The modest gap suggests comparable but slightly less competitive livability compared to statewide alternatives.

Strong Housing Affordability

Randolph County achieves an 83.1 cost score with median home values of $141,900 and rents at $742/month. A 78.4 tax score and 0.849% effective tax rate provide reasonable fiscal efficiency for budget-conscious residents.

Lowest Income Score in Group

An income score of 19.5 paired with median household income of $55,310—the lowest among all eight counties—reveals significant earning constraints. The limited data on schools, health, and safety compounds the need for thorough pre-move research.

For Retirees and Remote Workers Only

Randolph County best serves retirees and fully remote workers whose income does not depend on local employment. The county's combination of affordability and low incomes suggests limited job opportunities, making location-independent income essential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.4Cost83.1SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.5Risk64.2WaterComing Soon
🏛78.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
64.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Randolph County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Randolph County

via TaxByCounty

Randolph County taxes well below national average

Randolph County's effective tax rate of 0.849% remains below the national median, with homeowners paying $1,204 in annual property taxes versus $2,690 nationally. County residents enjoy significant tax savings compared to the typical American homeowner.

Above Missouri's tax average

Randolph County's 0.849% effective rate exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733%, ranking it among the state's higher-tax counties. The median tax bill of $1,204 sits just slightly above the state median of $1,199.

Higher taxes than most regional peers

Randolph County's 0.849% rate is notably higher than Phelps (0.640%), Pike (0.768%), Polk (0.581%), and Pulaski (0.611%), though below Platte (1.060%) and Putnam (0.987%). The county leans toward the higher end of regional tax rates.

What $141,900 home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a median-priced home valued at $141,900 pays approximately $1,204 in annual property taxes in Randolph County. With a mortgage, that bill increases to $1,331; without one, it drops to $954.

Appeal for assessment relief

Given Randolph County's above-average tax rate, homeowners should carefully review their property assessments for accuracy and potential overvaluation. Filing an appeal with the county assessor's office can reduce your tax burden if your assessed value exceeds market value.

Cost of Living in Randolph County

via CostByCounty

Randolph rents climb above state norm

Randolph County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Missouri's 15.6% state average, reflecting moderate housing pressure on local paychecks. With median household income of $55,310—among the region's lowest—the $742 monthly rent takes a larger-than-typical slice of income.

Slightly less affordable than Missouri average

Randolph County ranks in the less affordable half of Missouri counties, with a 16.1% rent-to-income ratio that edges above the state average. This gap, though narrow, signals local incomes lag housing costs more than typical.

Randolph mirrors Pike's rental price

Randolph's $742 median rent exactly matches Pike County's, yet Randolph's lower income ($55,310 vs. $57,572) creates slightly more affordability strain. Home values near $141,900 sit between Pike's ($129,400) and Phelps' ($194,900), keeping Randolph in the affordable-to-moderate range.

Renters feel the squeeze more

Renters spend $742/month (16.1% of income) while homeowners pay $795/month (17.2% of income), putting both groups in moderate affordability stress. The 1.1 percentage-point gap suggests renting and owning carry comparable burdens, with no clear advantage.

Randolph offers solid value carefully

Randolph County suits those seeking modest costs in a small-town setting, though its affordability lags Pike County at the same rent. If you're relocating here, compare with Pike (same rent, better income potential) or Putnam (lower rent, similar size).

Income & Jobs in Randolph County

via IncomeByCounty

Randolph earns well below U.S. median

Randolph County's median household income of $55,310 falls 26% short of the national median of $74,755. This substantial gap reflects the income challenges facing rural Missouri counties with limited high-wage job markets.

Missouri's lower-income tier

Randolph County ranks near the bottom of Missouri's counties, with median household income trailing the state average of $59,503 by $4,193. Per capita income of $27,268 also sits below Missouri's $31,011, indicating fewer high-earning households.

Among the county's lowest earners

Randolph ($55,310) sits in the lowest-income cluster alongside Phelps ($55,427) and Polk ($56,686), just above the regional floor. Platte ($95,748), Pulaski ($66,435), and Ralls ($62,054) show substantially higher earnings, while Pike ($57,572) and Putnam ($56,875) edge ahead slightly.

Moderate housing cost burden

Randolph County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% is moderate, though trending toward the higher end for affordability. The median home value of $141,900 requires roughly 2.6 years of median household income to purchase, creating a meaningful savings challenge for many families.

Start small, think big

Randolph County households earning $55,310 can begin wealth-building with micro-actions: set up automatic savings of $50–$100 monthly, enroll in any employer retirement plans, and target homeownership within 5 years. Over time, consistent small contributions compound into meaningful financial security for the next generation.

Health in Randolph County

via HealthByCounty

Randolph County lags national standards

At 73.7 years, Randolph County's life expectancy falls 4.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.1 years. With 20.8% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces sustained wellness challenges.

Below Missouri's health average

Randolph County's 73.7-year life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year state average by 0.6 years. The county ranks in the lower half of Missouri counties for longevity.

Limited primary care, modest mental health

Randolph County has only 28 primary care providers per 100K—among the region's lowest alongside Pulaski County. With 154 mental health providers per 100K, behavioral health capacity is moderate but primary care gaps constrain overall access.

11.4% uninsured with access constraints

Randolph County's 11.4% uninsured rate sits just below Missouri's 12.5% average, but limited primary care availability compounds insurance coverage gaps. Residents face waitlists and travel burdens for preventive and acute care.

Ensure coverage in your county

With 11.4% of Randolph County residents uninsured, securing Medicaid or ACA marketplace coverage removes at least one barrier to care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans and find local health resources.

Disaster Risk in Randolph County

via RiskByCounty

Randolph County shows low risk overall

Randolph County scores 35.85 on the composite risk scale, below the national average with a very low risk rating overall. Tornado risk (67.65) stands out as notably elevated compared to other hazards, while earthquake (60.31) and flood (37.40) risks are moderate.

Low-risk county within Missouri

Randolph County's composite score of 35.85 sits well below Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it among the state's safer counties. Tornado risk remains above state norms despite the county's otherwise favorable risk profile.

Comparable to Pike, safer than Phelps

Randolph County (35.85) is comparable in safety to Pike County (40.30) and significantly safer than Phelps County (53.72), Polk County (54.48), and Pulaski County (60.53). Only Putnam County (8.24) and Ralls County (14.06) surpass Randolph's favorable risk position in the broader region.

Tornado risk requires attention

Randolph County's tornado risk of 67.65 is notably higher than the state average, making severe spring storms a significant concern for residents. Earthquake risk (60.31) is secondary, while flood (37.40), wildfire (38.36), and hurricane (14.60) risks remain relatively modest.

Tornado preparedness is important

Randolph County residents should prioritize access to a safe room and keep homeowners insurance current with adequate wind coverage for tornado damage. Adding earthquake insurance provides protection against the county's secondary seismic risk, creating a well-rounded insurance strategy.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.