With a composite score of 75.5, Shelby County sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties. This 51st-percentile ranking reflects a community that offers above-average livability compared to most American counties.
2 / 5
Slightly ahead of Missouri average
Shelby County's score of 75.5 edges out Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking it among the better-performing counties in the state. The county holds its own in a statewide comparison of overall livability metrics.
3 / 5
Affordability and low taxes shine
Shelby County excels in cost of living, with a score of 88.8 and a median home value of just $86,200—among the most affordable in the region. Its effective tax rate of 0.896% and low median rent of $570/month make it highly competitive for budget-conscious families.
4 / 5
Income growth remains a concern
The county's income score of 17.4 is a notable weak point, with median household income at $52,127, well below state and national norms. Data on safety, schools, health, and environmental factors are not yet available, limiting a full livability picture.
5 / 5
Ideal for cost-conscious rural families
Shelby County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes or urban amenities. This is a county where your money stretches further, though residents should be prepared for modest earning potential.
With a composite score of 75.5, Shelby County sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top half of U.S. counties. This 51st-percentile ranking reflects a community that offers above-average livability compared to most American counties.
Slightly ahead of Missouri average
Shelby County's score of 75.5 edges out Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking it among the better-performing counties in the state. The county holds its own in a statewide comparison of overall livability metrics.
Affordability and low taxes shine
Shelby County excels in cost of living, with a score of 88.8 and a median home value of just $86,200—among the most affordable in the region. Its effective tax rate of 0.896% and low median rent of $570/month make it highly competitive for budget-conscious families.
Income growth remains a concern
The county's income score of 17.4 is a notable weak point, with median household income at $52,127, well below state and national norms. Data on safety, schools, health, and environmental factors are not yet available, limiting a full livability picture.
Ideal for cost-conscious rural families
Shelby County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes or urban amenities. This is a county where your money stretches further, though residents should be prepared for modest earning potential.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Shelby County's effective tax rate of 0.896% sits above the national median of 0.71%, placing it in the 62nd percentile nationally. While the county's median home value ($86,200) is far below the national median of $281,900, residents pay proportionally more in taxes relative to property value. This places Shelby among moderate-tax counties across the country.
Above average for Missouri
At 0.896%, Shelby County's effective rate outpaces Missouri's state average of 0.733% by 22%. The county ranks in the upper half statewide, with median property taxes of $772 compared to the state median of $1,199. Despite lower home values than the state average, Shelby residents carry a higher tax burden relative to their property wealth.
Higher taxes than nearby counties
Shelby County's 0.896% rate exceeds neighboring St. Clair County (0.639%) and Stoddard County (0.654%) significantly. The median property tax of $772 reflects this regional gap, placing Shelby among the pricier tax environments in east-central Missouri. Only St. Francois County (0.749%) in the broader region comes close to Shelby's burden.
What your $86,200 home costs
A median-value home in Shelby County generates an estimated annual property tax of $772—or about $64 per month. With a mortgage, you'll likely pay an additional $70 annually to cover impounds, bringing the total to $842. Over 30 years of homeownership, that's nearly $23,160 in property taxes alone.
Shelby homeowners can appeal assessments
Many property owners in Missouri counties like Shelby are assessed above fair market value, creating an opportunity to challenge valuations and reduce taxes. The county's assessor's office allows formal appeals during designated windows each year. Even a small adjustment to your assessed value can yield hundreds of dollars in savings over time.
Shelby County renters spend just 13.1% of income on rent, well below the national benchmark and a solid foundation for housing security. This efficiency reflects both modest rents ($570/month) and the county's $52,127 median household income, though that trails the national median of $74,755.
Best renter values in Missouri
Among Missouri's 114 counties, Shelby ranks among the most affordable for renters, with a 13.1% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 15.6%. This advantage stems from stable rents that remain $198 below Missouri's median of $768.
Shelby beats regional peers handily
Shelby's $570 rent undercuts nearby St. Clair County ($607) and Stoddard County ($737), while its 13.1% rent-to-income ratio outperforms all neighboring counties in the region. Homebuyers face similar advantages, with a median home value of $86,200—the lowest in its peer group.
Where Shelby dollars go monthly
A typical Shelby household earning $52,127 annually ($4,344/month) allocates $570 to rent or $631 to mortgage payments, leaving substantial income for other necessities. Housing consumes just 13-15% of monthly earnings, providing more flexibility than most counties in Missouri.
Consider Shelby for affordability
If you're seeking affordable rural Missouri living, Shelby County offers some of the state's lowest rents and home prices without sacrificing housing stability. Compare these figures to your current location—you may find significant monthly savings that redirect resources toward savings, education, or quality of life.
Shelby County's median household income of $52,127 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by nearly $23,000 annually. This gap places Shelby in the lower income tier nationally, where earning power lags behind most American counties.
Below Missouri's County Average
At $52,127, Shelby's median household income runs $7,376 below Missouri's state average of $59,503. The county ranks in the lower half of Missouri's 114 counties by household income.
Shelby Neighbors Earn More
Shelby's $52,127 median income sits between nearby St. Clair County ($46,731) and St. Francois County ($54,813). Compared to larger regional hub St. Louis County ($81,340), Shelby residents earn roughly $29,000 less annually.
Housing Remains Affordable Here
Shelby's rent-to-income ratio of 13.1% is well below the national sustainability threshold of 28%, indicating strong housing affordability. With a median home value of $86,200, homeownership remains accessible for local wage earners.
Build Financial Security Now
Shelby families earning $52,127 can leverage the county's low cost of living to accelerate savings and investment. Starting a retirement plan or emergency fund today—even with modest monthly contributions—compounds into meaningful wealth over time.
Shelby's life expectancy edges above national norms
At 75.7 years, Shelby County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, suggesting better-than-typical health outcomes for a rural Missouri county. However, 21.6% of adults report poor or fair health, close to the national average of 21%, indicating room for improvement in day-to-day wellness.
Shelby ranks above Missouri's health benchmark
Shelby's 75.7-year life expectancy outpaces Missouri's state average of 74.3 years by 1.4 years, placing the county in the healthier half of Missouri's 114 counties. The uninsured rate of 12.8% slightly exceeds the state average of 12.5%, suggesting comparable access challenges across the region.
Shelby holds steady among regional peers
Shelby's life expectancy of 75.7 years falls between Ste. Genevieve County (76.5) and St. Clair County (75.0), placing it squarely in the middle of its neighboring counties. With 17 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Shelby has fewer providers than nearby St. Clair (43) and St. Louis County (121), but matches its mental health provider density at 17 per 100K.
Healthcare access mirrors statewide challenges
Shelby's 12.8% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 8 residents lack health insurance coverage, with limited primary care access at 17 providers per 100K. The county's 17 mental health providers per 100K suggests residents may face wait times for behavioral health services, a common rural concern.
Explore insurance options available now
If you're among Shelby's uninsured residents, federal and state marketplace plans may be affordable, with subsidies available based on income. Contact a local health department or visit Healthcare.gov to learn about your options and find coverage that fits your family's needs.
Shelby County's composite risk score of 15.94 places it in the "Very Low" category, significantly below the national average. This means residents face substantially fewer natural disaster threats than most Americans.
Among Missouri's Safest Counties
At 15.94, Shelby County's risk score is less than one-third of Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the state's lowest-risk communities. Few Missouri counties offer comparable natural disaster protection.
Shelby Stands Out in Regional Comparison
Shelby County (15.94) is significantly safer than nearby St. Clair County (25.64) and substantially lower-risk than all other eastern Missouri counties profiled. Its composite score reflects exceptional protection across most hazard types.
Earthquakes and Tornadoes Pose Top Threats
Shelby County's highest risks are earthquake (39.47) and tornado (37.25) events, though both remain well below state averages. Flood risk (14.57) and wildfire risk (20.77) are minimal concerns for residents.
Basic Coverage Sufficient for Low-Risk County
While Shelby County's overall risk is very low, homeowners should maintain standard tornado and earthquake coverage as precautions. Review your current policy to ensure adequate protection for the hazards you do face.