CountyScore

Vernon County

Missouri · MO

#52 in Missouri
70.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Vernon County, Missouri

Vernon County Beats National Livability Average

Vernon County's composite score of 75.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0, reflecting favorable conditions across cost and tax dimensions. This 51% advantage places it well above typical American counties for livability.

Outperforms Missouri State Average

Vernon County exceeds Missouri's state average of 74.8, ranking among the state's more desirable counties for residents prioritizing affordability. Its slightly above-average showing confirms competitive livability conditions.

Excellent Affordability and Tax Relief

Vernon County scores 84.9 on costs and 82.3 on taxes, with median rent of just $722 per month and median home values of $136,700. An effective tax rate of 0.710% preserves household budgets for other necessities.

Income Opportunities Remain Constrained

The income score of 19.0 indicates a median household income of $54,519, limiting earning potential for residents seeking higher wages. Complete information on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is currently unavailable.

Suits Budget-Minded Families and Retirees

Vernon County appeals to households with moderate or fixed incomes who prioritize financial breathing room and tax efficiency. Its strong affordability profile makes it an excellent choice for families building equity or retirees stretching savings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost84.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome19Risk54.1WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡54.1
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 Vernon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chambers County
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70.4
Median income: $49,295
Wilcox County
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70.4
Median income: $42,236
Ashley County
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70.4
Median income: $44,481
Dixie County
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70.4
Median income: $47,655
Morgan County
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70.4
Median income: $79,088

Deep Dives

Vernon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Vernon County

via CostByCounty

Vernon County hovers near national averages

Vernon County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio sits marginally above the national baseline, while its $722 median rent falls below Missouri's $768 state average. At $54,519 in median household income, Vernon's affordability mirrors typical rural Missouri conditions.

Middle ground for Missouri renters

Vernon County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio hovers just above Missouri's 15.6% state average, placing it in the moderate affordability tier—neither among the best nor the worst statewide. The $722 rent offers modest savings compared to state norms.

Moderate rents between peers

Vernon County's $722 rent sits comfortably between Texas County's bargain $647 and Stone County's pricier $892, offering a middle-ground option for renters. It undercuts the regional average while remaining accessible to the county's $54,519 median income.

Balanced housing costs across tenures

Renters in Vernon County pay $722 monthly while homeowners carry $698 costs—nearly equal burdens reflecting balanced affordability. With $54,519 median household income, housing consumes 15.9% for renters and 15.4% for homeowners, both within reasonable limits.

Vernon County splits the difference

Vernon County offers solid middle-ground affordability with $722 rents and $136,700 home values, neither the cheapest nor most expensive in the region. If you're relocating and want average conditions without extremes, Vernon delivers balanced housing costs and economic opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Vernon County

via HealthByCounty

Vernon County's life expectancy falls behind

Vernon County's life expectancy of 72.6 years trails the U.S. average of 74.5 years by 1.9 years, while 21.2% of residents report poor or fair health versus the national rate of 21%. The county faces substantial health headwinds affecting longevity and quality of life.

Lower life expectancy than Missouri average

At 72.6 years, Vernon County's life expectancy falls 1.7 years below Missouri's 74.3-year average, positioning it among the state's least healthy counties. The 21.2% poor/fair health rate matches state-level challenges, compounding residents' health risks.

One of the region's health weak points

Vernon County's 72.6-year life expectancy matches Texas County but trails all other nearby counties, with Stone County (76.0) and Warren County (75.6) significantly ahead. The county's 21.2% poor/fair health rate places it in the bottom tier of regional health outcomes.

Mental health surplus, primary care gaps

Vernon County offers an exceptional 416 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—far above any regional peer—yet only 26 primary care providers per 100,000. The uninsured rate of 12.2% is near Missouri's average, but limited primary care threatens preventive health.

Use your coverage for prevention

Vernon County's robust mental health infrastructure is a regional asset, but primary care gaps require residents to be proactive about insurance coverage. Enroll in the Missouri marketplace or Medicaid to ensure access to preventive care and routine primary services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Vernon County

via RiskByCounty

Vernon County sits near national average

Vernon County scores 45.96 on composite risk, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting just slightly below the national average. This near-average positioning suggests Vernon faces moderate, not severe, cumulative disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Below-average risk for Missouri

Vernon County's 45.96 composite score falls below Missouri's state average of 50.56, making it one of the state's safer counties. This below-state-average standing reflects Vernon's location in western Missouri, away from the high-hazard Ozark region.

Less exposed than nearby counties

Vernon County (45.96) benefits from lower risk than neighboring Bates and Bourbon counties, and is especially safer than Ozark-based counties like Stone or Taney. The county's western prairie location protects it from the earthquake and flood extremes affecting southeastern Missouri.

Floods and tornadoes merit preparation

Flood risk reaches 49.84 and tornado risk 51.30, the county's two leading hazards, though both remain near state averages. Earthquake (52.45) poses moderate concern, while wildfire exposure is relatively low at 24.52, reflecting the county's grassland and agricultural character.

Standard coverage with flood policy

Vernon County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with emphasis on wind and hail coverage for spring tornado season. Adding a flood policy is prudent for properties in or near floodplains, though the county's overall flood risk is moderate compared to state hotspots.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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