Ray
Missouri

What stands out

What stands out about Ray County: the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 2% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000). Within Missouri it ranks 2nd of 108 counties for the restaurant count per person, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Ray County, Missouri. 23,122 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +160).

Missouri stopped taxing Social Security and public pensions for all residents in 2024 and has been cutting its top income-tax rate toward 4.5%. Home prices are well below the national average in both Kansas City and St. Louis. The state's property tax on vehicles, paid every year, surprises new arrivals; tornado exposure is high across the state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $69,779 a year, higher than 73% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,361. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 53% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Missouri takes 4.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,099 a year.

Home

The median home costs $264K, pricier than 60% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $850 a month. Property tax is 0.89% of home value, roughly $1,512 a year on that median home, higher than 53% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 74.5 years, shorter than 65% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 3.5 per 10,000 people. 9.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.96 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 56% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 38 points. 66% of eligible voters turned out. Under Missouri law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 66 and lows near 44, colder than 53% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 30 out of 100, safer than 70% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 156 Mbps down, slower than 69% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.