countyscore
52.2
County Score
Property Tax 86.7Schools 62.7Weather & Climate 54.6

County Report Card

About Stone County, Missouri

Beating the National Median in Stone County

Stone County earns a composite score of 52.2, positioning it above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a quality of life that stands comfortably in the upper half of all U.S. counties.

Outperforming the Missouri Average

With a score of 52.2, Stone County exceeds the Missouri state average of 50.3. It maintains a competitive edge over many regional neighbors by balancing low taxes with decent public services.

Low Taxes and Strong Schools

Stone County excels in fiscal friendliness with a tax score of 86.7 and an effective tax rate of just 0.493%. Education is another highlight, as the school score of 62.7 surpasses many rural Missouri counterparts.

Environmental Risks and Safety Concerns

The county faces hurdles with a risk score of 23.3 and a safety score of 34.7. These lower marks suggest residents should be mindful of regional environmental hazards and localized crime trends.

A Haven for Tax-Conscious Families

This county is ideal for families and retirees who prioritize low property taxes and quality schools over environmental stability. The modest $892 median rent makes it an accessible choice for those working in the Branson-area economy.

Score breakdown

Tax86.7Cost52Safety34.7Health44.3Schools62.7Income43.1Risk23.3Water35.4Weather54.6
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠52
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼43.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡34.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤44.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓62.7
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡23.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧35.4
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤54.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨40.3
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱49.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Barry County
Missouri
45.9
Christian County
Missouri
38.5
Taney County
Missouri
42.2
Lawrence County
Missouri
45.6
Carroll County
Arkansas
45.1
Boone County
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Greene County
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Webster County
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50

Deep Dives

Stone County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Stone County

via TaxByCounty

Stone County taxes well below national average

Stone County's effective tax rate of 0.493% ranks in the bottom 20% nationally, meaning homeowners here pay significantly less than the typical American property owner. The median annual tax of $1,167 is less than half the national median of $2,690, putting Stone County in an advantageous position for affordability.

Among Missouri's lowest tax counties

Stone County's 0.493% rate sits well below Missouri's average of 0.733%, placing it in the lower quartile statewide. The county collects $1,167 in median taxes compared to the state median of $1,199, making it one of the more tax-friendly areas in Missouri.

Lower taxes than most Ozark neighbors

Stone County's 0.493% rate beats nearby Taney County (0.578%) and rivals Wayne County (0.500%) in the south-central Ozarks region. Compared to Warren County to the north at 0.738%, Stone County residents enjoy substantially lower tax burdens on similarly valued homes.

A $236,500 home costs $1,167 annually

The median Stone County home valued at $236,500 carries an estimated annual property tax of $1,167. For homeowners with mortgages, that figure rises slightly to $1,206 due to escrow arrangements with lenders.

Your assessment may be too high

Many Stone County homeowners are overassessed and could save money by appealing their property valuations to the county assessor. A formal appeal is free and can result in significant tax reductions if your home's assessed value exceeds its fair market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stone County

via CostByCounty

Stone County rents climb above national norms

At 17.5%, Stone County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, meaning renters here dedicate more of their paycheck to housing than typical Americans. The median household income of $61,323 sits well below the national median of $74,755, creating affordability pressure even as rents remain moderate at $892 per month.

Among the least affordable in Missouri

Stone County ranks among the bottom third of Missouri counties for housing affordability, with a 17.5% rent-to-income ratio well above the state average of 15.6%. This positions renters here in a tighter squeeze than most neighbors across the state.

Higher rents than nearby Taney County

Stone County's median rent of $892 exceeds Taney County's $925, though both counties strain affordability for residents earning under $60,000. Compared to Sullivan County's more modest $692 rent, Stone County renters face steeper monthly costs despite similar income levels.

Nearly $900 in rent, $754 in mortgages

Renters in Stone County pay a median of $892 monthly, while homeowners carry $754 in mortgage costs—a reversal of typical patterns. With median household income at $61,323, housing consumes about 17.5% of gross income for renters and roughly 14.7% for owners.

Consider your housing type carefully here

If you're relocating to Stone County, weigh the trade-off: rents run higher than nearby Sullivan County ($692), but home values remain accessible at $236,500. This county rewards homebuyers more than renters seeking affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stone County

via IncomeByCounty

Stone County earns above national average

With a median household income of $61,323, Stone County households earn about 18% less than the national median of $74,755. This places the county in the middle range nationally, where most American families can access stable housing and services.

Outpacing Missouri's typical household

Stone County's median income exceeds Missouri's state average of $59,503 by $1,820, ranking the county in the upper half statewide. This modest advantage reflects a community with slightly better economic stability than most of its state neighbors.

Strongest income in the regional cluster

Among nearby Ozark counties, Stone County leads with $61,323—ahead of Taney ($58,258) and Sullivan ($55,500). The county's per capita income of $33,582 also exceeds the state average of $31,011, signaling stronger individual earning power.

Housing remains comfortably affordable

At 17.5% of median household income, Stone County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs don't strain household budgets. A median home value of $236,500 is accessible for families earning $61,323 annually.

Build on Stone County's income stability

With household incomes above state average and manageable housing costs, Stone County residents have breathing room to invest in savings and retirement. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize employer benefits, establish emergency funds, and plan long-term wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Stone County

via CrimeByCounty

Stone County exceeds national safety norms

Stone County reports a total crime rate of 1516.9 per 100K residents, significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a high safety score of 97.6 out of 100.

A leader in Missouri safety

The county's safety score of 97.6 beats the Missouri state average of 97.0. Local law enforcement across seven reporting agencies maintains a total crime rate well below the state average of 1926.2.

Competitive safety compared to Taney County

Stone County presents a safer profile than neighboring Taney County, which sees 2213.4 crimes per 100K. With a total rate of 1516.9, Stone County provides a more secure environment for its residents.

Property crime drives local statistics

Property crime accounts for 1363.6 incidents per 100K, while the violent crime rate remains low at 153.3. This violent crime rate is less than half the national average of 369.8 per 100K.

Enhance security for peace of mind

Since property crime makes up the bulk of local incidents, home security systems remain a vital deterrent. Installing smart locks and motion lighting can further improve your household's safety profile.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Stone County

via HealthByCounty

Stone County's life expectancy tops US average

Stone County residents live to 76.0 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 74.5 years. Just 18.7% of Stone County adults report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 21%, suggesting a healthier-than-average population.

Healthier than most Missouri counties

At 76.0 years, Stone County's life expectancy ranks above Missouri's state average of 74.3 years. This 1.7-year advantage reflects better health outcomes across the county compared to most peers in the state.

A bright spot in the Ozark region

Stone County outperforms neighboring Taney County (74.9 years) and Taney County's 20.9% poor/fair health rate versus Stone's 18.7%. Compared to nearby Warren County (75.6 years), Stone remains competitive in regional health outcomes.

Healthcare access remains uneven

Stone County has 13.6% of residents uninsured, slightly above Missouri's 12.5% average, while primary care providers total 25 per 100,000 residents. Mental health services are more robust at 52 per 100,000, suggesting residents may find behavioral health care more accessible than routine primary care.

Check your coverage options now

With 13.6% of Stone County residents uninsured, exploring health insurance through the Missouri marketplace or Medicaid could improve access to preventive care and treatment. Visit healthcare.gov or contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for enrollment assistance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Stone County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Rural Network of Sixteen Schools

Stone County operates 16 public schools across five districts, serving a total of 3,513 students. The infrastructure includes six elementary, three middle, and seven high schools, along with one alternative learning facility.

Exceptional Graduation Rates Outpace the Nation

The county boasts an impressive 95.3% graduation rate, significantly higher than the national average of 87%. While per-pupil spending of $6,888 is below the national benchmark, the school score of 56.1 remains above the Missouri state average.

Reeds Spring R-IV Leads the Region

Reeds Spring R-IV is the largest district in the county, managing seven schools and 1,807 students. All education is provided through traditional public districts, as there are no charter schools operating in the area.

Small Rural Schools Define the Experience

Every school in the county is classified as rural, creating a consistent, community-focused learning environment. Students attend campuses with an average size of 251, ranging from Reeds Spring High with 602 students down to smaller primary centers.

Find Your Home in a High-Performing District

Stone County is an ideal destination for families who value high graduation rates and a quiet, rural school setting. Explore homes near Reeds Spring or Crane to join a community where education performance consistently exceeds state standards.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stone County

via RiskByCounty

Stone County's disaster risk profile

Stone County scores 76.75 on composite risk, earning a Relatively Low rating—a meaningful finding since the national average sits around 50. This puts Stone County above the typical U.S. county in overall exposure to natural hazards, though many counties nationwide face higher cumulative risk.

Where Stone ranks in Missouri

Stone County's 76.75 composite score significantly exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, placing it among the higher-risk counties in the state. This above-average exposure reflects the county's geography and exposure to multiple hazard types across the Ozark region.

Stone vs. nearby Taney and Barry

Stone County's 76.75 risk score sits between less-exposed Sullivan County (10.11) and the more-exposed Taney County (84.03) in the immediate region. Within the Ozark cluster, Stone faces notably higher flood and wildfire threats than western Missouri counties but lower overall risk than its southeastern neighbors.

Floods and wildfires top the list

Flood risk dominates Stone County at 74.65, reflecting the area's stream systems and Ozark terrain, while wildfire risk reaches 64.09—both well above state norms. Tornado exposure (69.15) rounds out the county's top three hazards, making spring storm preparedness essential for residents.

Secure coverage for water and wind

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes flood damage, making a separate NFIP or private flood policy critical for Stone County residents. Review your wind and hail coverage as well, since tornadoes and severe convection pose annual threats across the Ozarks.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Stone County

via WeatherByCounty

Sunny and Warm Ozark Weather

Stone County averages 56.2°F annually, placing it above the national median for temperate zones. This area benefits from a climate that transitions between continental and subtropical.

Warmer and Wetter Than Average

At 56.2°F, Stone County is warmer than the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. It also receives 46.6 inches of annual precipitation, exceeding the state benchmark by nearly three inches.

The Peak of Southern Heat

Stone County records 47 days of extreme heat per year, tying it with the state's warmest urban centers. This heat is balanced by a winter average of 35.8°F, which is milder than northern counties.

Short Winters and Sizzling Summers

The county receives just 6.9 inches of snow annually, one of the lowest totals in the state. July is intense, with an average of 77.7°F and frequent spikes above 90°F.

Prepare for Sun and Storms

Residents should prioritize sun protection and cooling for the 47 extreme heat days. The 46.6 inches of rain often arrive in heavy Ozark storms, necessitating good roof maintenance.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Stone County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Silt Loams of Stone County

Stone County features Entisols with a silt loam texture. Its pH of 5.72 sits significantly below the national median of 6.5, suggesting acidic conditions that may require lime for certain crops.

A Silty Foundation with Moderate Workability

The soil consists of 58.6% silt and 16.8% clay, providing a balance that favors moisture retention over sandiness. This 19.6% sand content allows for moderate workability and decent root penetration in most gardens.

High Organic Matter, Lower Water Capacity

Organic matter reaches 3.33%, which beats the national average but falls short of Missouri's 4.74% mark. The available water capacity of 0.125 in/in is lower than the state average, requiring gardeners to monitor moisture closely during dry spells.

Stable Drainage for Diverse Land Use

Classified as moderately well drained, these soils belong to hydrologic group C. This indicates a somewhat slow rate of water transmission, which farmers and builders should account for during heavy Ozark rains.

Thriving in Zone 7a

In hardiness zone 7a, gardeners can leverage this soil for reliable fruit and vegetable production. Adding lime can help balance the acidity to make your backyard plot truly thrive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Stone County

via LawnByCounty

A Challenging Climate in Stone County

Stone County earns a 49.4 difficulty score, making it slightly harder to maintain than the national average of 50.0. This score sits well below the Missouri state average of 63.7, suggesting local gardeners face unique challenges in Hardiness Zone 7a.

High Heat and Ample Rainfall

With 47 extreme heat days per year, Stone exceeds the state average of 37 days. The area receives 46.6 inches of annual precipitation, which supports growth but requires careful management during the 4,123 growing degree days.

Managing Silt Loam and Acidity

The local soil is a silt loam with a pH of 5.72, which is more acidic than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range. While it is moderately well-drained, homeowners likely need lime applications to balance the acidity for optimal turf health.

Severe Drought Grips the Region

Severe drought conditions currently grip 100.0% of the county following 33 weeks of drought over the past year. Residents should prioritize deep, infrequent watering early in the morning to maximize moisture retention during these dry spells.

Best Grasses for Zone 7a

Warm-season grasses like Zoysia or Bermuda thrive in Zone 7a and handle the intense summer heat well. Plan to seed after the last frost on April 16th to give your new lawn a strong start before the July sun arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stone County's county score?
Stone County, Missouri has a composite county score of 52.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Stone County rank among counties in Missouri?
Stone County ranks #53 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Stone County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Stone County is $1,167, with an effective tax rate of 0.49%. This earns Stone County a tax score of 86.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Stone County?
The median household income in Stone County, Missouri is $61,323 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Stone County earns an income score of 43.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Stone County, Missouri a good place to live?
Stone County scores 52.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #53 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Stone County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Stone County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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