Schuyler County

Missouri · MO

#3 in Missouri
76.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Schuyler County, Missouri

Schuyler County ranks 56% above national median

Schuyler County's composite score of 77.9 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, making it one of America's more livable counties by fiscal standards. The score reflects particularly strong housing affordability compared to national benchmarks.

Missouri's housing affordability standout

Schuyler County scores 77.9, notably above Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking in the upper third of the state's 114 counties. The outperformance is driven primarily by housing values.

Housing costs are extraordinarily low

Schuyler County's standout feature is its cost score of 92.4—the highest among these eight counties—with median rent at just $382/month and home values averaging $118,200. This exceptional housing affordability is the county's defining strength for cost-conscious movers.

Income and broader livability data gaps

Schuyler County's income score of 20.0 reflects a median household income of $56,023, suggesting limited earning opportunities despite low costs. Critical information on safety, schools, health, and environmental quality is not yet available.

Best for those seeking rock-bottom rent

Schuyler County suits remote workers, retirees, and households where keeping housing costs minimal is paramount. The county's rental market is among Missouri's cheapest, making it ideal for those whose income comes from elsewhere or operates on tight budgets.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.8Cost92.4SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome20Risk96.4WaterComing Soon
🏛77.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠92.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼20
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
96.4
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

Schuyler County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Schuyler County

via TaxByCounty

Schuyler County has above-average tax rate

Schuyler County's effective tax rate of 0.871% exceeds both Missouri's state average of 0.733% and ranks in the top 30% nationally. The median property tax of $1,030 remains about 62% below the U.S. median of $2,690, placing Schuyler in the lower half nationally despite its relatively high rate.

Schuyler ranks among Missouri's highest taxes

Schuyler County has the highest effective tax rate among the eight counties reviewed at 0.871%, nearly 19% above Missouri's state average of 0.733%. The median tax bill of $1,030 sits just below the state median of $1,199, reflecting aggressive local taxation despite lower home values.

Schuyler leads region in tax rate

Schuyler County's 0.871% rate exceeds every neighboring county in this analysis, including Ray (0.818%), Saline (0.815%), and all the lower-tax rural counties to the south. This positions Schuyler as the region's most tax-intensive jurisdiction.

Median annual bill: $1,030

On Schuyler County's median home value of $118,200, homeowners pay approximately $1,030 annually in property taxes. Properties with mortgages typically carry $1,180 in escrow, while owners without mortgages pay $894.

Appeal overassessments to reduce burden

Schuyler County's high effective rate means overpayment stings more—many residents likely have inflated assessments. Requesting a reassessment and filing an appeal could substantially lower your annual tax obligation.

Cost of Living in Schuyler County

via CostByCounty

Schuyler County is a renter's bargain

Schuyler County's rent-to-income ratio of 8.2% ranks exceptionally well nationally, with renters spending less than half the national average share on housing. At just $382 monthly for median rent against a $56,023 median household income, this county delivers remarkable rental affordability.

Schuyler County leads Missouri on rental affordability

Schuyler County's 8.2% rent-to-income ratio crushes Missouri's state average of 15.6%, making it one of the state's most affordable rental markets. The combination of extremely low rent at $382 monthly and solid income of $56,023 creates exceptional housing value.

Schuyler County rents are exceptionally cheap

Schuyler County's $382 rent is less than half the state median of $768 and far below every comparable neighboring county, reflecting a distinctly rural, low-cost market. The median income of $56,023 ensures residents who work here enjoy unusual purchasing power for their rents.

Renters keep 91.8% of income after housing

Schuyler County renters spend just 8.2% of their $56,023 income on rent—roughly $4,600 annually—preserving substantial income for savings and other needs. Home buyers face ownership costs of $628 monthly with homes valued around $118,200, also exceptionally affordable compared to national standards.

Schuyler County: Missouri's affordability champion

If housing affordability is your primary concern, Schuyler County is a standout: $382 median rent, 8.2% rent-to-income ratio, and median income of $56,023 create unbeatable renter economics. The tradeoff is rural isolation, but remote workers and retirees will find extraordinary housing value here.

Income & Jobs in Schuyler County

via IncomeByCounty

Schuyler County moderately below national average

Schuyler County's median household income of $56,023 trails the national median of $74,755 by 25%, placing it in the lower-middle income tier. This gap is typical for rural Missouri counties where agricultural dominance and aging populations limit wage growth.

Slightly below Missouri's state average income

At $56,023, Schuyler County ranks in the lower half of Missouri counties, sitting 6% below the state average of $59,503. However, the county's per capita income of $23,774 trails the state average of $31,011 by 23%, suggesting concentrated wealth among fewer households.

Schuyler competes at lower-middle regional income

Schuyler County ($56,023) earns less than nearby Ray ($72,152) and Scotland ($67,568) but comparably to Saline ($56,566). Its position reflects a rural county with limited high-wage employment opportunities compared to counties with larger towns or industry clusters.

Exceptional housing affordability in Schuyler

Schuyler County boasts a remarkable rent-to-income ratio of just 8.2%, among Missouri's best, meaning housing costs consume minimal household budgets. This affordability advantage—with median home values of $118,200—creates significant opportunity for saving and wealth-building despite moderate incomes.

Low housing costs unlock wealth-building potential

Schuyler County residents enjoy a rare advantage: low housing costs relative to income, freeing up cash for emergency funds, investments, and retirement accounts. This favorable housing-to-income ratio makes the county an excellent place to build equity and establish long-term financial security despite earning below national averages.

Health in Schuyler County

via HealthByCounty

Schuyler life expectancy slightly below U.S.

At 73.7 years, Schuyler County residents live 5.1 years less than the U.S. average of 78.8 years, though the gap is narrower than several peer counties. Just 17.2% report poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties—suggesting better disease management despite shorter lifespans.

Schuyler ranks near Missouri middle

Schuyler County's 73.7-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years below Missouri's 74.3-year state average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's health rankings. At 13.5% uninsured, the county slightly exceeds the state average of 12.5%, affecting about 1 in 7 residents.

Schuyler stability amid regional variation

Schuyler County's 73.7-year life expectancy sits between Ray County (73.1 years) and Reynolds County (74.0 years), representing a stable middle ground for the region. Its 25 primary care providers per 100K matches Ray County and remains adequate for rural populations.

Solid primary care, limited mental health data

Schuyler County's 25 primary care providers per 100K provide reasonable access to routine care, though mental health provider data is unavailable for detailed assessment. The 13.5% uninsured rate suggests some residents may delay or forgo preventive visits due to cost concerns.

Make sure you're covered

With 13.5% of Schuyler County residents uninsured, exploring marketplace plans could reduce financial barriers to healthcare. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department about coverage options.

Disaster Risk in Schuyler County

via RiskByCounty

Schuyler County ranks among nation's safest

Schuyler County's composite risk score of just 3.63 places it among the lowest-risk counties in the United States, earning a 'Very Low' rating. This exceptional safety profile makes it a statistical outlier compared to typical U.S. counties across virtually all natural hazard categories.

Lowest-risk county in Missouri

Schuyler County's 3.63 composite score stands far below Missouri's 50.56 state average, making it by far the safest county in the state. No other Missouri county approaches Schuyler's remarkably low multi-hazard exposure.

Dramatically safer than regional peers

Schuyler County's 3.63 score is an outlier compared to neighboring Scotland County (32.95) and other surrounding counties, all of which carry substantially higher composite risk. The county enjoys a uniquely favorable natural disaster profile within north-central Missouri.

All hazards minimal, wildfire slightly elevated

Schuyler County faces remarkably low exposure across all natural hazards, with wildfire risk (41.16) representing the highest individual category—still below many county averages. Tornado (38.36), earthquake (21.09), and flood risks (6.14) all rank exceptionally low, making this county virtually safe from major natural disasters.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Schuyler County residents enjoy exceptional safety, making standard homeowner insurance generally adequate for natural disaster protection. Property owners can focus preparedness efforts on routine maintenance and ensuring emergency communication plans rather than specialized hazard coverage, given the county's remarkably low overall risk profile.

ByCounty Network

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