CountyScore

Ripley County

Missouri · MO

#73 in Missouri
69
County Score

County Report Card

About Ripley County, Missouri

Ripley County scores 56% above national median

Ripley County's composite score of 78.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating strong livability fundamentals compared to counties across the United States. The county's appeal rests on exceptionally low taxes and very affordable housing.

Above-average performer in Missouri

Ripley County's score of 78.1 tops Missouri's state average of 74.8, placing it in the upper third of the state's 114 counties. This ranking reflects consistent strength in tax and housing affordability measures.

Exceptional affordability across the board

Ripley County excels in tax burden (score: 88.2, effective rate 0.501%) and housing cost (score: 87.1), with median home values of $110,800 and rent averaging $666/month. These figures rank among Missouri's most affordable, appealing to budget-first households.

Low incomes and limited data

Ripley County's income score of 12.1 reflects a median household income of just $43,898, tied for lowest among these eight counties and limiting upward economic mobility. Safety, schools, health, and water data gaps leave questions about quality of life beyond pure affordability.

Ideal for ultra-budget-conscious families

Ripley County suits retirees, remote workers, and households where affordability is the top priority regardless of local job market strength. The county delivers genuine economic value for those who can sustain income from outside sources or operate on limited, fixed budgets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.2Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth53.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.1Risk43WaterComing Soon
🏛88.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43
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 Ripley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Murray County
Georgia
69
Median income: $67,880
Treutlen County
Georgia
69
Median income: $43,750
Johnson County
Illinois
69
Median income: $65,203
Boone County
Indiana
69
Median income: $104,865
Grant County
Kansas
69
Median income: $72,484

Deep Dives

Ripley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Ripley County

via TaxByCounty

Ripley County offers below-average taxes

Ripley County's effective tax rate of 0.501% sits well below both the Missouri state average of 0.733% and the U.S. median. The median property tax of $555 represents only 21% of the national median of $2,690, placing Ripley in the bottom quartile nationally.

Among Missouri's lowest-tax counties

Ripley County ranks in Missouri's bottom tier for tax burden with an effective rate of 0.501%, roughly 32% below the state average. The median tax bill of $555 is less than half the state median of $1,199, reflecting very favorable local conditions.

Ripley balances affordability with neighbors

Ripley County's 0.501% rate places it between Shannon County's lowest-in-region 0.432% and Reynolds County's 0.461%, making it one of the more expensive options in this rural cluster. Despite being the middle ground locally, Ripley remains far below the state and national averages.

Median annual bill: $555

On Ripley County's median home value of $110,800, homeowners pay approximately $555 annually in property taxes. Mortgaged properties typically carry $593 in escrow, while outright owners pay $509.

Verify your assessment for accuracy

Ripley County's low tax rates don't guarantee fair assessments—some properties may still be overvalued. Reviewing your assessment and filing an appeal if warranted could further reduce your annual obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Ripley County

via CostByCounty

Ripley County has tight housing affordability

Ripley County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% ranks among the nation's more strained housing markets, meaning renters here spend nearly one-fifth of their income on rent alone. At $666 monthly against a median household income of just $43,898, affordability pressures exceed both national and state norms.

Ripley County ranks poorly for affordability

Ripley County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Missouri's 15.6% state average, placing it among the state's least affordable counties. Combined with the county's low median income of $43,898, housing consumes an outsized share of household budgets.

Ripley competes in the state's toughest market

Ripley County's $666 rent is below the state median of $768, but the county's income of $43,898 is the region's lowest, making housing the toughest affordability challenge. Neighboring counties with higher incomes offer better financial flexibility despite similar or higher rents.

Housing eats largest share of income

Ripley County renters devote 18.2% of their $43,898 annual income—roughly $8,000 yearly—to rent, leaving minimal room for other expenses. Home buyers face median ownership costs of $625 monthly with home values near $110,800, a more accessible path than renting for many.

Ripley County: Buy if you can, budget carefully

Ripley County attracts those seeking rural Missouri living and home ownership at affordable prices ($110,800 median home value), but prospective renters should note the tight 18.2% rent-to-income ratio and $43,898 median income. Relocation here works best for buyers or those with income sources beyond local employment.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Ripley County

via IncomeByCounty

Ripley County faces a significant income gap

Ripley County's median household income of $43,898 lags the national median of $74,755 by 41%, marking it as one of America's lower-earning counties. This substantial gap reflects structural economic challenges including limited industry diversification and geographic isolation from major employment centers.

Among Missouri's lowest-income counties

Ripley County ranks near the bottom statewide with a median household income of $43,898—26% below Missouri's $59,503 average. The county's per capita income of just $23,691 trails the state average by 24%, indicating both lower individual wages and fewer high-earning households.

Ripley struggles alongside peer counties

At $43,898, Ripley County virtually matches Reynolds County ($44,357) and both significantly underperform nearby Scotland ($67,568) and Ray ($72,152). This clustering of low incomes in southern Missouri counties suggests region-wide economic disadvantage requiring coordinated development efforts.

Housing burden is notably high here

Ripley County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% is among the highest statewide, meaning housing consumes an outsized share of household budgets. With median home values at $110,800 and lower incomes, residents face real affordability challenges that limit discretionary spending and emergency savings capacity.

Build wealth through intentional savings and support

Ripley County households earning $43,898 should explore employer match programs, down-payment assistance for homebuyers, and tax-advantaged savings accounts to build assets. Local nonprofits and county economic development offices often offer free financial literacy workshops that help residents overcome income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Ripley County

via HealthByCounty

Ripley faces serious life expectancy crisis

At 68.4 years, Ripley County residents live a staggering 10.4 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years—among the lowest in the nation. One quarter (25.0%) report poor or fair health, the highest rate among these eight counties and well above the national 21% average.

Ripley ranks near bottom statewide

Ripley County's 68.4-year life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year average by nearly 6 years, placing it among the five poorest-performing counties in the state. The 13.8% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Missouri's 12.5% average, compounding health vulnerability for a struggling population.

Ripley faces steepest health decline regionally

Ripley County's 68.4-year life expectancy is dramatically lower than all nearby counties—5.6 years below Reynolds County (74.0 years) and 7.1 years below Saline County (74.8 years). The county's mere 9 primary care providers per 100K is the lowest among these eight counties, signaling acute access barriers.

Healthcare desert demands urgent investment

Ripley County's 9 primary care providers per 100K is critically low—less than half the regional average—forcing residents to travel far for basic care. The 13.8% uninsured rate means many residents cannot afford to seek needed care, perpetuating a cycle of preventable illness and early mortality.

Don't go without coverage

With severe provider shortages and high uninsured rates, Ripley residents must prioritize health coverage. Enroll today at healthcare.gov or contact the Ripley County Health Department for Medicaid information and community health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Ripley County

via RiskByCounty

Ripley County faces exceptional earthquake hazards

Ripley County's composite risk score of 57.00 is amplified by one of the nation's highest earthquake risk scores (87.91), ranking it far above typical U.S. counties. Though rated 'Relatively Low' overall, this seismic exposure demands serious attention from property owners and emergency planners.

Above-average risk in Missouri context

Ripley County's 57.00 composite score exceeds Missouri's 50.56 state average, placing it solidly in the upper-risk category statewide. Its earthquake exposure is among the highest in the entire state, reflecting its position near major fault lines.

Seismic corridor runs through region

Ripley County's 87.91 earthquake score ranks highest among its neighboring counties, including Reynolds (72.55) and Shannon (76.62). The trio sits within a seismically active zone, though Ripley bears the greatest concentrated earthquake risk in the immediate area.

Earthquakes dwarf other hazards here

Earthquakes (87.91) dominate Ripley County's risk profile—a threat level approaching that of California in many locales. Flood risk (59.41), tornado risk (57.82), and even hurricane exposure (40.22) rank well below the seismic hazard in terms of overall concern.

Earthquake insurance is non-negotiable

Ripley County residents must obtain standalone earthquake insurance, as it is not covered by standard homeowner policies and damage from seismic events can be catastrophic. Retrofitting property foundations and securing heavy furniture are equally critical steps to reduce injuries and structural damage during an earthquake event.

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.