CountyScore

Ray County

Missouri · MO

#63 in Missouri
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Ray County, Missouri

Ray County scores well above national median

Ray County's composite score of 73.8 sits 48% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for livability. This strong performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden are notably lower than average across the nation.

Slightly below Missouri average

Ray County ranks just below Missouri's state average composite score of 74.8, placing it solidly in the middle-to-upper range among the state's 114 counties. Despite this slight dip from state average, the county remains competitive on fiscal metrics statewide.

Tax and housing affordability shine

Ray County excels in tax burden (score: 79.3) with an effective tax rate of just 0.818%, and in housing affordability (score: 80.4) with a median home value of $187,400 and rent averaging $808/month. These dual strengths make the county attractive for budget-conscious households and retirees seeking lower tax exposure.

Income levels warrant attention

Ray County's income score of 30.5 reflects a median household income of $72,152, which lags behind wealthier Missouri and U.S. markets. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable, leaving gaps in the full livability picture.

Best for cost-conscious families and retirees

Ray County suits households prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. The county offers solid fiscal fundamentals for fixed-income families, early retirees, and those seeking rural Missouri living without expensive tax burdens.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.3Cost80.4SafetyComing SoonHealth64.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.5Risk55.6WaterComing Soon
🏛79.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.6
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 Ray County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cullman County
Alabama
69.9
Median income: $60,916
Union County
Arkansas
69.9
Median income: $50,221
Fannin County
Georgia
69.9
Median income: $58,073
Cheyenne County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $55,765
Jackson County
Kansas
69.9
Median income: $72,703

Deep Dives

Ray County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ray County

via TaxByCounty

Ray County taxes rank high nationally

Ray County's effective tax rate of 0.818% exceeds Missouri's state average of 0.733%, putting homeowners above the typical burden. At the national level, Ray's median property tax of $1,533 falls well below the U.S. median of $2,690, placing the county in roughly the 40th percentile—moderate by national standards.

Among Missouri's mid-range tax counties

Ray County ranks in the upper-middle tier of Missouri's property tax burden, with an effective rate 11.6% higher than the state average. The median tax bill of $1,533 exceeds the state median of $1,199 by $334, reflecting above-average local tax policy.

Ray outpaces surrounding rural counties

Ray County's 0.818% rate significantly exceeds neighboring Saline County (0.815%) and Schuyler County (0.871%) and is substantially higher than the region's lowest-taxing counties like Shannon (0.432%) and Reynolds (0.461%). This positions Ray as one of the region's higher-tax jurisdictions despite moderate home values.

Median annual bill: $1,533

On Ray County's median home value of $187,400, homeowners pay roughly $1,533 annually in property taxes. Buyers with mortgages typically see an escrow payment of $1,668, while outright owners pay $1,327.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Many Ray County homeowners pay more than they owe due to outdated assessments. If your home's assessed value seems high, filing an appeal during the county's challenge window could lower your annual bill at no cost.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ray County

via CostByCounty

Ray County rents are below national average

Renters in Ray County spend 13.4% of their income on rent, well below the national average of roughly 15%. At $808 per month, median gross rent here is modest compared to the national landscape, offering households meaningful breathing room in their budgets.

Ray County leads Missouri on affordability

Ray County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Missouri's most affordable counties, beating the state average of 15.6%. This advantage reflects both reasonable rents and a median household income of $72,152, close to the national median of $74,755.

Ray County outpaces surrounding counties

Ray County renters pay $808 monthly, slightly above the state median of $768 but significantly more affordable than neighboring areas when accounting for income. With strong income levels at $72,152, Ray County residents maintain better housing affordability than most peers in the region.

Housing costs take manageable share

Ray County households spend about 13.4% of their $72,152 annual income on rent, leaving roughly 86.6% for other necessities and savings. Home buyers fare similarly well, with median ownership costs of $889 monthly against the same solid income base.

Consider Ray County for balanced living

If you're evaluating Missouri counties for relocation, Ray County deserves attention: affordable rents at $808, near-median incomes of $72,152, and one of the state's lowest rent-to-income ratios at 13.4%. The median home value of $187,400 also positions it competitively for buyers seeking entry into Missouri's housing market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ray County

via IncomeByCounty

Ray County earns above the national average

Ray County's median household income of $72,152 sits just $2,603 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. This strong performance reflects a county where earnings keep pace with most of America, despite serving a smaller, rural population.

Top 20% of Missouri counties by income

Ray County ranks among Missouri's highest-earning counties with a median household income of $72,152—21% above the state average of $59,503. This positions it as one of the economic engines in a state where most counties cluster around $55,000 to $60,000 annually.

Ray leads regional peer group handily

At $72,152, Ray County's median income significantly outpaces nearby counties like Scott ($58,847), Saline ($56,566), and Schuyler ($56,023). Ray's strong economic position suggests robust employer diversity or higher-wage sectors anchoring the county's workforce.

Housing costs are very manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 13.4%, Ray County residents enjoy one of the state's most affordable housing markets relative to earnings. A median home value of $187,400 paired with strong incomes means housing costs consume less than the national benchmark of 15%.

Your earnings position you for wealth-building

Ray County's above-average income and favorable housing costs create room in household budgets for savings, investment, and retirement planning. With per capita income at $38,179, residents here have the earnings foundation to pursue long-term financial goals like homeownership, education, and diversified investing.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ray County

via HealthByCounty

Ray County life expectancy lags nationally

At 73.1 years, Ray County residents live about 5.7 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (18.8%) report being in poor or fair health, slightly below the national poor/fair health rate of 21%. These gaps suggest persistent health challenges that merit attention across prevention and treatment.

Ray ranks slightly below Missouri average

Ray County's 73.1-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years short of Missouri's state average of 74.3 years, placing it in the lower half of the state's 114 counties. The county's uninsured rate of 12.0% is slightly better than Missouri's 12.5% average, suggesting reasonable insurance coverage relative to the state.

Ray faces stiffer health challenges nearby

Ray County's 73.1-year life expectancy sits between neighboring Schuyler County (73.7 years) and Scott County (72.6 years), but lags well behind Saline County (74.8 years) just to the south. Ray's primary care access of 22 per 100K providers is comparable to regional peers, though below Saline's 52 per 100K.

Access and coverage look relatively stable

Ray County's 12.0% uninsured rate and 22 primary care providers per 100K residents suggest moderate healthcare accessibility, though mental health resources at 39 per 100K remain limited. Residents facing chronic conditions or mental health concerns may need to travel beyond the county for specialized care.

Check your coverage options today

With 12% of Ray County residents uninsured, exploring marketplace plans or Medicaid eligibility could improve health security and access. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to learn about enrollment periods and subsidies.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ray County

via RiskByCounty

Ray County's disaster risk scores well nationally

Ray County's composite risk score of 44.37 sits well below the national average, earning a 'Relatively Low' rating overall. This means residents face fewer compound natural hazard threats than most U.S. counties, though specific risks like tornadoes warrant local attention.

Safer than most Missouri counties

Ray County ranks favorably within Missouri, with its 44.37 score significantly below the state average of 50.56. Among the state's 114 counties, Ray sits in the lower-risk tier for overall natural disaster exposure.

Ray County outperforms nearby peers

Ray County's 44.37 composite score beats adjacent Saline County (51.62) and significantly outpaces Scott County's 80.09 rating. Ray residents enjoy notably lower overall risk than most neighboring counties in north-central Missouri.

Tornadoes and wildfires top the list

Tornado risk (57.92) and wildfire risk (55.03) present Ray County's most significant natural hazards, though both remain below state-average concerns. Flood risk (48.79) rounds out the top three, with earthquake and hurricane threats minimal in this region.

Prepare for severe weather and fire

Ray County homeowners should prioritize tornado and hail coverage, ensuring insurance policies reflect wind-damage exposure. A dedicated wildfire inspection of property defensibility—especially removing dead vegetation near structures—adds critical protection in this region.

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.