countyscore
58.6
County Score
Cost of Living 96.7Disaster Risk 91.8Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Worth County, Missouri

Outperforming the National Average

Worth County delivers a strong performance with a composite score of 59.2, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high quality of life driven by environmental safety and affordability.

Leading Missouri in Rural Livability

Worth County significantly outpaces the Missouri state average composite score of 50.3. It stands as a top performer in the region, particularly for those who value low-risk environments and extreme cost savings.

Exceptional Affordability and Safety

Housing is incredibly accessible here with a Cost Score of 96.5 and median gross rent at just $353 per month. The county also boasts a Risk Score of 91.8, indicating very low exposure to natural disasters or environmental hazards.

Economic and Educational Headwinds

The county struggles with an Income Score of 8.5, as the median household income of $46,167 is significantly lower than national figures. School performance also lags with a score of 38.9, suggesting limited educational resources.

A Haven for Thrifty Living

Worth County is best suited for retirees or remote workers who prioritize ultra-low housing costs and physical safety. It offers a quiet, low-risk lifestyle for those who do not rely on high-wage local employment.

2040608010049.196.758.341.538.98.491.88651Tax49.1Cost96.7Safety58.3Health41.5Schools38.9Income8.4Risk91.8Water86Weather5158.6/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Worth County DNA

Foverall

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

Worth County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (96.7/100) but notably weak in Income (8.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
49.1
Cost
96.7+48.7
Safety
58.3
Health
41.5-8.5
Schools
38.9-15.100000000000001
Income
8.4-42.6
Risk
91.8+44.8
Water
86+28
Weather
51
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$96,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$381/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$96,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$15,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,847/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

51.1

per 100K

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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Nearby counties

Ringgold County
Iowa
61.2
Taylor County
Iowa
62.1
Gentry County
Missouri
57.8
Nodaway County
Missouri
50.1
Harrison County
Missouri
48.9
Decatur County
Iowa
60.8
Union County
Iowa
52.4
Page County
Iowa
53

Deep Dives

Worth County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Worth County

via TaxByCounty

Worth County slightly above national median

At 0.801%, Worth County's effective tax rate edges above the national median of 0.72%, placing it in the 55th percentile nationally. Despite this higher rate, the county's median property tax of $758 remains far below the national median of $2,690, thanks to much lower home values in the area.

Among Missouri's higher-tax counties

Worth County's 0.801% effective rate exceeds Missouri's 0.733% state average, making it one of the state's steeper property tax jurisdictions. The median tax of $758 sits below the state average of $1,199, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $94,600.

Highest rate in this region

Worth County's 0.801% effective rate is the highest among its regional peers, outpacing Webster County (0.539%) and Wright County (0.384%). This makes it the steepest-taxing county in the immediate area, despite modest home values.

What a typical home costs annually

On a median home valued at $94,600, Worth County residents pay approximately $758 per year in property taxes without mortgage deduction, or $918 with mortgage interest included. This breaks down to roughly $63–$77 monthly, well below national averages despite the higher rate.

You might be overassessed

Many Worth County homeowners are paying taxes on inflated assessed values, and an appeal to the assessor's office could reduce your burden. Given the county's higher effective rate, verifying your home's accurate market value is especially worthwhile.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Worth County

via IncomeByCounty

Worth County lags national income

Worth County's median household income of $46,167 falls considerably below the U.S. median of $74,755—a gap of $28,588 that reflects the economic challenges facing rural Missouri. The shortfall represents a real constraint on household purchasing power and wealth-building capacity.

Among Missouri's lowest-income counties

At $46,167, Worth County's median household income sits $13,336 below Missouri's state average of $59,503, placing it in the lower tier statewide. However, the county's per capita income of $32,793 exceeds the state average of $31,011, indicating more income equality across households.

Similar economics to nearby counties

Worth County's median income of $46,167 closely mirrors Wright County's $47,304, though both trail Webster County's $69,731 by roughly $20,000. Worth and Wright face similar rural economic pressures, though Worth's lower housing values ($94,600 vs. $152,300) offer an affordability advantage.

Housing costs are well-managed

Worth County's rent-to-income ratio of 9.2% is one of the lowest in the nation, meaning housing costs consume a minimal share of earnings—a genuine economic strength. The county's modest median home value of $94,600 makes homeownership highly accessible despite lower overall income.

Prioritize savings despite lower income

Worth County households can capitalize on their low housing costs to redirect savings toward emergency funds, education, and retirement accounts. Even modest monthly contributions to a savings plan can build meaningful wealth over time and create financial security for future generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Worth County

via CrimeByCounty

Worth County safety ranks among the best

Worth County boasts an impressive safety score of 98.5, far exceeding national norms. The total crime rate of 958.7 per 100,000 is less than half of the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading Missouri in public safety metrics

Worth County sits comfortably above the Missouri average safety score of 97.0. Its total crime rate is less than half the state average of 1,926.2, marking it as one of the safer jurisdictions in the state.

Understanding safety in a small-agency county

Worth County reports crime through a single agency, meaning residents should interpret these positive numbers with some caution. Even so, the reported crime rates are significantly lower than both the state average and neighboring Webster County.

Exceptionally low rates for property and violence

Both violent crime at 252.3 and property crime at 706.4 fall well below national benchmarks. These figures indicate that Worth County residents face much lower risks than the average American in both categories.

Build on a strong foundation of safety

Even in low-crime areas, maintaining home security helps preserve the peace. Consider joining a local neighborhood watch or installing basic alarm systems to keep Worth County secure for everyone.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Worth County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cool Continental Climate in Northern Missouri

Worth County maintains a cool annual average temperature of 50.4°F, falling several degrees below the national median. This reflects its position in the northern reaches of the Midwest where cooler air masses dominate.

One of Missouri's Coldest Counties

The county's 50.4°F annual average is significantly lower than the Missouri state average of 54.9°F. This gap places Worth County among the coolest jurisdictions in the state, driven by its high northern latitude.

Matching the Northern Plains Profile

Worth County shares a similar climate profile with neighbors like Harrison and Gentry counties, though it lacks the specific local precipitation records available in those areas. Its climate remains much brisker than the Ozark counties located in the southern half of the state.

Brisk Winters and Manageable Summers

Winters are sharp with a January average of 23.1°F, while summers stay relatively comfortable with only 20 days exceeding 90°F. The July average of 74.8°F is milder than many other Missouri regions that face more intense humidity.

Preparing for Significant Winter Heating Needs

Residents should invest in high-efficiency heating systems to handle winter averages of 26.2°F. While summer heat is less frequent than elsewhere in Missouri, proper insulation remains key to managing the 20 days of extreme heat each year.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Worth County

via SoilByCounty

High-performing Alfisols lead the way

Worth County's Alfisols boast a soil score of 71.9, placing it well above the Missouri state average of 64.2. Its 6.14 pH is slightly acidic compared to the 6.5 national median but remains higher than the state average of 6.09.

Classic silt loam for easy tilling

As a classic silt loam, this soil contains 55.1% silt and 25.0% clay, offering a heavy but fertile structure. The 19.9% sand content ensures the earth remains manageable for tilling while providing excellent nutrient retention.

Superior water storage for thirsty crops

The available water capacity of 0.202 in/in is superior to the Missouri average of 0.183, indicating a high potential for sustained growth. While the 3.20% organic matter is lower than the state average, it remains well above the 2.0% national benchmark.

Moderate drainage supports diverse agriculture

The county features moderately well-drained soil, providing a balanced environment for most agricultural and residential uses. Because it belongs to Hydrologic Group D, builders should expect slower water infiltration during heavy rain events.

A fertile haven for Zone 5b crops

This fertile silt loam is ideal for growing high-yield corn, soybeans, and hearty root vegetables in Hardiness Zone 5b. Start your garden today with confidence, as these nutrient-dense soils support some of the best growing conditions in the state.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Worth County

via LawnByCounty

Exceptional Conditions for Easy Lawn Care

Worth County boasts an impressive lawn difficulty score of 81.1, making it one of the easiest places in the state to maintain turf. This score far exceeds both the national median of 50.0 and the Missouri average of 63.7. The county is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, which is ideal for northern, cool-season grass varieties.

Cooler Summers Reduce Turf Stress

The region experiences only 20 extreme heat days annually, which is significantly lower than the Missouri state average of 37 days. While local precipitation data is limited, 3,269 growing degree days indicate a shorter, more manageable growing season. This cooler climate reduces the risk of heat-related browning and fungal diseases common in southern Missouri.

Optimal Soil Foundation for Healthy Grass

The soil foundation is a favorable silt loam with a pH of 6.14, placing it right within the ideal range for healthy grass. It is moderately well drained, which helps maintain moisture without drowning the root system. Homeowners here generally need fewer soil amendments and fertilizers compared to those in neighboring counties.

High Resilience and Minimal Drought Stress

Resilience is high in Worth County, which only experienced 3 weeks of drought over the last year. Although 100% of the county is currently flagged as abnormally dry, none of the area is suffering from severe drought. Occasional supplemental watering during dry weeks should be sufficient to keep lawns vibrant throughout the season.

Cool-Season Grasses Thrive in Zone 5b

Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue are ideal for this cooler Zone 5b environment. Time your planting between the last spring frost on April 24 and the first fall frost on October 14 to maximize establishment. With such a high difficulty score, a little effort goes a long way toward achieving a lush, green lawn.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Worth County's county score?
Worth County, Missouri has a composite county score of 58.6 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 Worth County rank among counties in Missouri?
Worth County ranks #25 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 Worth County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Worth County is $789, with an effective tax rate of 0.82%. This earns Worth County a tax score of 49.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Worth County?
The median household income in Worth County, Missouri is $47,847 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Worth County earns an income score of 8.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Worth County, Missouri a good place to live?
Worth County scores 58.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #25 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Worth 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 Worth 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.