How are property tax rates determined in Missouri?

Property tax rates in Missouri are set by each taxing district (municipality, school district, park district, library, etc.) based on their annual levy (the amount of tax revenue they need). The rate is calculated by dividing the levy by the total assessed value of all property in the district.

What is the composite tax rate?

The composite tax rate is the sum of all overlapping taxing district rates that apply to a specific property. A typical property may be taxed by several overlapping districts. The composite rate determines your total tax bill when multiplied by your property's assessed value.

Why do tax rates vary within the same town?

Properties within the same municipality can have different composite rates because overlapping districts (school, park, fire, library) have different boundaries. A home in one school district may have a different rate than a home two blocks away in a different school district.

Lawson, MO Property Tax Rate 2026 — Full Breakdown by District

Showing latest tax year with year-over-year changes. Full rate history available with a paid plan. View plans →

Property Tax — Tax Year 2025 (payable 2026)i

MO DOR

Composite Ratei

7.1380%-0.3%YoY

Municipal Portioni

1.9199%+0%YoY26.9% of total

Effective Ratei

1.36%

Est. Annual Taxi

$3K$210/mo

Median Home Valuei

$186,000

Rate Trend — click a year to explorei

20242025

Municipal

Other Districts

Where Your Tax Dollar Goesi

$0.53 Lawson R-XIV School District - Operating Funds-Schools

$0.18 City of Lawson - Debt Service

$0.14 Lawson R-XIV School District - Debt Service

$0.09 City of Lawson - General Revenue

$0.03 Metropolitan Community College - General Revenue

$0.01 Clay County - Developmental Dis. Board

$0.01 Clay County - Mental Health

$0.01 Clay County - Road & Bridge

$0.01 Clay County - Senior Services

$0.00 Clay County - General Revenue

$0.00 Clay County - Parks & Recreation

Estimated Tax by Home Valuei

$50K

$678

$57/mo

$100K

$1,356

$113/mo

$150K

$2,034

$170/mo

$200K

$2,712

$226/mo

$250K

$3,391

$283/mo

$300K

$4,069

$339/mo

$350K

$4,747

$396/mo

Highlighted value is closest to median home value ($186K)

11 Overlapping Taxing Districtsi

Lawson R-XIV School District - Operating Funds-Schools

52.6%3.7522%

City of Lawson - Debt Servicei

17.7%1.2612%

Lawson R-XIV School District - Debt Service

14.1%1.0051%

City of Lawson - General Revenuei

9.2%0.6587%

Metropolitan Community College - General Revenue

2.5%0.1767%

Clay County - Developmental Dis. Boardi

1.3%0.0909%

Clay County - Mental Healthi

1.1%0.0758%

Clay County - Road & Bridgei

0.9%0.0617%

Clay County - Senior Servicesi

0.5%0.0378%

Clay County - General Revenuei

0.3%0.0179%

Clay County - Parks & Recreationi

0%0.0000%