CountyScore

Webster County

Missouri · MO

#36 in Missouri
72
County Score

County Report Card

About Webster County, Missouri

Webster outpaces the nation

Webster County's composite score of 76.8 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This 53% advantage over the national average reflects a county where affordability and tax burden work in residents' favor.

Above average in Missouri

Webster ranks above Missouri's state average composite score of 74.8, making it one of the stronger-performing counties in the state. The county's 76.8 score indicates it offers better-than-typical livability conditions for Missourians.

Tax and housing value shine

Webster County excels with a tax score of 87.1 and an effective tax rate of just 0.539%, among the lowest in the state. Housing remains deeply affordable at a median home value of $219,100 with median rent at $777/month, giving residents substantial purchasing power.

Income growth lags behind

The county's income score of 28.9 signals that median household income at $69,731 trails state and national patterns—a gap that may limit economic mobility for families. Complete data on schools, health, safety, and environmental quality is not yet available, leaving some livability dimensions unmeasured.

Ideal for cost-conscious families

Webster County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages. The combination of minimal tax burden and manageable housing costs makes it attractive to those seeking financial stability and predictable monthly expenses.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost81SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.9Risk55.4WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡55.4
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 Webster County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Logan County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $54,237
Marion County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $46,953
Nevada County
Arkansas
72
Median income: $41,761
Archuleta County
Colorado
72
Median income: $76,524
Echols County
Georgia
72
Median income: $61,723

Deep Dives

Webster County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Webster County

via TaxByCounty

Webster County ranks low nationally

At 0.539%, Webster County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.72%, putting it in the lower 30th percentile across all U.S. counties. Homeowners here pay significantly less in property taxes than the national median of $2,690 annually, with Webster County's median hitting just $1,181.

Below average for Missouri

Webster County's 0.539% effective rate falls short of Missouri's 0.733% state average, meaning residents enjoy slightly lower tax burdens than typical Missourians. The county's median property tax of $1,181 is also below the state average of $1,199, offering modest savings statewide.

Mixed results across the region

Webster County's 0.539% rate sits between neighboring Worth County (0.801%) and Wright County (0.384%), making it a middle ground in the area. While Worth County collects higher taxes per capita, Wright County offers the lowest burden, giving the region considerable variation in tax approaches.

What a typical home costs annually

On a median home valued at $219,100, Webster County residents pay approximately $1,181 per year in property taxes without mortgage deduction, or $1,234 with mortgage interest factored in. This translates to about $99–$103 monthly, below national and state norms.

You might be overassessed

Many Webster County homeowners have property values inflated on the assessor's rolls, making them eligible for an appeal. If you believe your home's assessed value is too high, filing a formal appeal could lower your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Webster County

via CostByCounty

Webster rents are surprisingly affordable

At 13.4%, Webster County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national average, meaning renters here spend a smaller share of their paychecks on housing than most Americans. The typical renter pays $777 monthly while earning a median household income of $69,731—well-positioned compared to the national median income of $74,755.

Best affordable housing in Missouri

Webster County ranks among Missouri's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% versus the state average of 15.6%. This 2.2-percentage-point advantage means Webster renters keep more money in their pockets than the typical Missourian.

Webster undercuts regional rents

Webster County's median rent of $777 exceeds nearby Worth County's $353 but sits below Wright County's $558, placing it in the middle of the regional housing market. Despite higher rents than its neighbors, Webster's stronger median income of $69,731 gives renters better affordability cushion than Wright County's $47,304.

Where Webster housing dollars go

Renters spend $777 monthly on rent while homeowners face $888 in monthly ownership costs, yet both are manageable on Webster's $69,731 median household income. Housing consumes roughly 13.4% of renter income and about 15.3% of owner income—leaving healthy room for other expenses.

Consider Webster for balance

If you're weighing relocation, Webster County offers solid affordability without sacrificing income potential—your rent won't spike, and your paycheck is competitive. Compare this 13.4% rent burden to your current situation: if you're paying more than 15% of income on housing, Webster might stretch your money further.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Webster County

via IncomeByCounty

Webster County earns above the nation

Webster County's median household income of $69,731 falls just shy of the national median of $74,755—a solid showing that places the county in the upper-middle tier nationally. While the county lags the national average by about 7%, it outperforms most rural Missouri communities by a meaningful margin.

Top tier among Missouri counties

At $69,731, Webster County's median household income runs $10,228 above Missouri's state average of $59,503, ranking it well above the typical county in the state. The county's per capita income of $29,530 also trails the state average of $31,011, suggesting income is concentrated in fewer households.

Stronger income than regional peers

Webster County significantly outearns its neighboring counties—Worth County ($46,167) and Wright County ($47,304) both fall roughly $20,000 below Webster's median. This income advantage reflects Webster's larger economic base and job diversity compared to the more rural counties nearby.

Housing costs are manageable here

At 13.4%, Webster County's rent-to-income ratio sits slightly below the national affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume a reasonable share of household earnings. With a median home value of $219,100 and solid median income, homeownership remains accessible for working families.

Build on strong household earnings

Webster County households earning above the state average have a real opportunity to invest surplus income into savings, retirement accounts, or real estate. Consider working with a financial advisor to develop a wealth-building strategy that leverages your above-average earning potential in the region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Webster County

via HealthByCounty

Webster County edges ahead nationally

At 74.7 years, Webster County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 73.5 years by more than a year. Yet nearly 1 in 5 residents report poor or fair health, tracking closely with national rates of self-reported poor health around 18%.

Outpacing Missouri's health baseline

Webster County ranks above Missouri's state average life expectancy of 74.3 years, placing it in the healthier tier statewide. Its 12.7% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 12.5%, reflecting stable coverage across the region.

Strongest primary care in the region

Webster County's 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents solid access compared to neighboring Wright County's 16 per 100,000. Mental health services are well-distributed with 82 providers per 100,000, supporting residents managing chronic conditions and behavioral health.

Uninsured rates remain a gap

About 1 in 8 Webster County residents lack health insurance, slightly above Missouri's state average. This coverage gap can delay preventive care and routine checkups that keep people healthy.

Find coverage that fits your life

If you're among Webster County's uninsured residents, healthcare options exist for every income level. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health centers near you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Webster County

via RiskByCounty

Webster County's moderate risk profile

Webster County scores 44.59 on the national disaster risk scale, placing it in the 'Relatively Low' category and below Missouri's state average of 50.56. This means the county faces fewer compounded hazards than most U.S. counties, though specific risks remain significant in certain categories.

Safer than most Missouri counties

At 44.59, Webster County ranks better than average among Missouri's 114 counties, with a composite risk score that sits well below the state average of 50.56. This relatively favorable standing reflects lower flood and hurricane exposure compared to other parts of Missouri.

Notable differences from neighbors

Webster County's composite risk of 44.59 sits between Worth County's very low 8.21 and Wright County's higher 57.41, making it a middle ground for the region. Worth County faces dramatically lower overall risk across nearly all hazard types, while Wright County's earthquake exposure (76.11) significantly outpaces Webster's (70.32).

Earthquakes and wildfires dominate here

Webster County residents face the greatest threats from earthquakes (70.32) and wildfires (69.15), both scoring well above the county's composite average. Tornado risk also merits attention at 65.65, making severe weather preparedness essential for households and businesses.

Insurance priorities for Webster County

Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake and wildfire damage, making separate coverage critical given Webster County's elevated scores in both categories. Residents should also verify tornado coverage and review annual updates as climate conditions evolve.

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.