countyscore
42.3
County Score
Cost of Living 78.2Property Tax 63.5Soil Quality 59.8

County Report Card

About Vernon County, Missouri

Struggling Against National Norms

Vernon County’s composite score of 42.0 falls short of the 50.0 national median. This indicates that several key livability dimensions are underperforming compared to the rest of the country.

Below the Missouri Standard

With a score of 42.0, Vernon County ranks below the Missouri state average of 50.3. Lower scores in safety and schools present hurdles that set it apart from higher-performing Missouri counties.

Highly Affordable Housing Options

Affordability is the county's primary strength, evidenced by a cost score of 75.6. With median home values at $136,700, it remains much more accessible than the national average for first-time buyers.

Significant Safety and School Challenges

The safety score of 6.6 is among the lowest in the state, signaling a need for community intervention. Combined with a school score of 35.4, these factors heavily impact the overall ranking.

A Choice for Value Seekers

Vernon County is best suited for individuals who prioritize low-cost housing and are comfortable in a quiet, rural setting. It may be less ideal for families who are highly sensitive to school performance metrics.

2040608010063.578.26.629.335.415.854.148.356.5Tax63.5Cost78.2Safety6.6Health29.3Schools35.4Income15.8Risk54.1Water48.3Weather56.542.3/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Vernon County DNA

Foverall

How Vernon County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Vernon County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (78.2/100) but notably weak in Safety (6.6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
63.5+11.5
Cost
78.2+30.200000000000003
Safety
6.6-48.4
Health
29.3-20.7
Schools
35.4-18.6
Income
15.8-35.2
Risk
54.1
Water
48.3-9.700000000000003
Weather
56.5
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Many homeowners in Vernon County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$158,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$734/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$158,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,230/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Median income: $65,824
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Lee County
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Pulaski County
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St. Helena Parish
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Manistee County
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Newton County
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Median income: $66,301
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Nearby counties

Barton County
Missouri
44.9
Bourbon County
Kansas
41.8
Bates County
Missouri
44.6
Cedar County
Missouri
45.4
Linn County
Kansas
55.8
Crawford County
Kansas
36
St. Clair County
Missouri
59.4
Dade County
Missouri
44.2

Deep Dives

Vernon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Vernon County

via TaxByCounty

Vernon County taxes below national median

Vernon County's effective tax rate of 0.710% falls below the national average, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. tax environments. The median annual tax of $970 represents just 36% of the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Missouri's average rate

Vernon County's 0.710% rate sits just below Missouri's average of 0.733%, placing it near the statewide middle in tax burden. The county collects a median tax of $970 compared to Missouri's median of $1,199.

Moderate taxes in southwest Missouri region

Vernon County's 0.710% rate falls between Sullivan County (0.736%) and Stone County (0.493%), offering a middle-ground tax environment in southwestern Missouri. Compared to Warren County's 0.738%, Vernon provides modest tax relief.

A $136,700 home costs $970 yearly

The median Vernon County home valued at $136,700 generates an estimated annual property tax of $970. With a mortgage, homeowners typically pay $999, while those without mortgages pay approximately $925.

Appeal overvalued assessments in Vernon

Vernon County homeowners should review their property assessments to ensure valuations reflect fair market value. Many properties can be reduced through the county assessor's free appeal process, lowering annual tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Vernon County

via IncomeByCounty

Vernon County lags well behind national norm

Vernon County's median household income of $54,519 falls 27% below the national median of $74,755, indicating persistent economic headwinds. This gap reflects the county's rural character and limited access to higher-wage employment sectors.

Below-average earner for Missouri

Vernon County's $54,519 median income trails Missouri's state average of $59,503 by nearly $5,000, positioning the county in the lower half of state rankings. Per capita income of $26,360 also lags the state average of $31,011.

Second-lowest income in regional group

Vernon County's $54,519 income ranks ahead of only Sullivan County ($55,500) among neighbors—Texas County ($48,055) is lower, while Stone ($61,323) and Taney ($58,258) both earn more. The county's agricultural economy limits earning potential.

Low housing costs provide budget relief

Vernon County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, offering families meaningful savings on housing. A median home value of $136,700 is achievable for households earning $54,519 annually.

Leverage housing affordability for savings

With manageable housing costs, Vernon County families have an opportunity to build wealth through savings and retirement investing despite modest incomes. Explore employer retirement plans and government savings programs to maximize financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Vernon County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime rates exceed national figures

Vernon County reports a total crime rate of 3175.4 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This leads to a local safety score of 95.0.

Vernon County trails state safety averages

The county's total crime rate of 3175.4 is significantly higher than the Missouri average of 1926.2. Two reporting agencies manage the law enforcement needs for the local population.

High crime compared to Texas County

Vernon County sees nearly double the total crime rate of Texas County, which reports only 1675.6 incidents per 100K. This makes it one of the more active crime areas in its region.

Property crime is the primary issue

Property crime is high at 2841.7 per 100K, while violent crime remains below national averages at 333.7. Most reported incidents involve theft or burglary rather than physical confrontation.

Take active steps to secure property

With property crime rates exceeding 2,800 per 100K, home security is a critical priority for residents. Motion sensors and deadbolt locks are essential investments for Vernon County homes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Vernon County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Prairie Winds

Vernon County averages 56.1°F annually, which is warmer than the national median. This western Missouri county sits in a transition zone for heat and moisture.

Warmer Than the State Mean

The county's average temperature of 56.1°F exceeds the state average of 54.9°F. It ranks in the warmer southern half of Missouri's temperature data.

High Heat on the Plains

Vernon sees 42 extreme heat days, significantly more than the state's northern and eastern regions. It also records 46.5 inches of rain, making it wetter than the 43.8-inch Missouri average.

Dry Snow and Hot July

Summers are intense with a July average of 78.5°F and frequent 90°F days. Winters are relatively dry regarding ice and snow, with only 6.4 inches of annual snowfall.

Stay Cool During Long Heatwaves

Energy bills likely peak in summer during the 42 days of extreme heat. Since snow is rare at 6.4 inches, focus winter prep on insulating pipes against the 31.5°F January average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Vernon County

via SoilByCounty

Stable Acidity on the Western Border

Vernon County's soil has a pH of 5.99, which is just slightly more acidic than the Missouri state average of 6.09. It remains below the national median of 6.5, a common trait for soils in this part of the state.

Balanced Texture for Nutrient Retention

The blend of 50.2% silt and 22.0% clay suggests a soil with good nutrient-holding potential. The 27.8% sand content provides enough grit to prevent the clay from becoming too dense for delicate root systems.

Drought-Resistant Growing Potential

Organic matter sits at 2.60%, which is healthy by national standards but lower than the Missouri average. However, the available water capacity of 0.187 in/in is higher than the state average, offering a vital buffer during dry spells.

Responsive Soil for Farming

While specific drainage and hydrologic classes aren't categorized in this dataset, the balance of clay and silt usually points to moderate drainage. Farmers in this area typically find the soil very responsive to consistent management.

Productive Plots in Zone 6b

As part of hardiness zone 6b, the area is well-suited for staples like berries and root vegetables. Your soil's high water capacity makes it a great candidate for a productive and resilient home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Vernon County

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Growth in Zone 6b

Vernon County holds a lawn difficulty score of 57.0, placing it behind the Missouri state average of 63.7. In Hardiness Zone 6b, the balance between heat and cold requires a strategic approach to lawn maintenance.

Frequent Mowing Requirements

High summer temperatures are a factor here, with 42 extreme heat days compared to the state average of 37. The 46.5 inches of annual rain provide plenty of moisture, but the 4,202 growing degree days mean grass grows fast and needs frequent mowing.

Balanced Mineral Foundations

The soil pH of 5.99 is nearly perfect, sitting just at the edge of the ideal 6.0 range. The 22.0% clay and 27.8% sand mix indicates a balanced foundation that should support most regional grasses well.

Encouraging Deep Root Systems

The county has experienced 25 weeks of drought in the last year, and currently, the entire area is abnormally dry. Implement a 'soak and dry' watering schedule to encourage deep root growth, which helps plants survive dry periods.

Seeding Resilient Fescue

Tall fescue is a resilient workhorse for Zone 6b, providing green color for much of the year. Time your seeding between the April 7th last frost and the October 27th first frost for the best results.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vernon County's county score?
Vernon County, Missouri has a composite county score of 42.3 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 Vernon County rank among counties in Missouri?
Vernon County ranks #97 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 Vernon County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Vernon County is $1,067, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Vernon County a tax score of 63.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Vernon County?
The median household income in Vernon County, Missouri is $52,230 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Vernon County earns an income score of 15.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Vernon County, Missouri a good place to live?
Vernon County scores 42.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #97 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Vernon 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 Vernon County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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