CountyScore

Stone County

Missouri · MO

#71 in Missouri
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Stone County, Missouri

Stone County Scores Well Above National Average

Stone County's composite score of 76.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of all U.S. counties. This 53% lead over the national baseline reflects strong fundamentals in tax burden and housing affordability.

A Top Performer in Missouri

Stone County ranks above the Missouri state average of 74.8, positioning it among the state's more livable counties. Its composite score demonstrates that residents benefit from conditions better than the typical Missouri experience.

Taxes and Housing Lead the Way

Stone County excels with a tax score of 88.4 and a cost score of 80.8, reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.493% and median home values of $236,500. Median gross rent of $892 per month keeps housing accessible for renters seeking stability in an affordable market.

Income Growth Lags Behind Costs

The income score of 23.4 reveals a median household income of $61,323, which is modest compared to the county's overall affordability strength. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors remains incomplete, limiting a fuller picture of community well-being.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Retirees

Stone County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. The combination of strong tax advantages and reasonable housing costs makes it appealing to those with fixed or moderate incomes seeking maximum purchasing power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.4Cost80.8SafetyComing SoonHealth65.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk23.3WaterComing Soon
🏛88.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.3
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 Stone County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Chugach Census Area
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69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
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69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
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Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Stone County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

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.