Bates County, MO Shrink-Swell Risk
Shrink-swell potential in Bates County, MO
High
Soil across 47.4% of Bates County, MO comes back "High" in USDA's shrink-swell data, averaging 6.03% linear extensibility. Soil at this level can crack a standard foundation without moisture-control measures - consistent watering near the foundation, correct grading, root barriers - or added structural design.
What this number does and doesn't tell you
This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Bates County, MO - never a reading for one specific parcel. The real answer for one lot is still a site-specific geotechnical report, running about $1,000-$5,000 (typically near $2,700).
Bates County: the real numbers
Given Bates County's rating, spending a few thousand now is the way to avoid spending tens of thousands later. A geotechnical report runs $1,000-$5,000 (typically $2,700); an actual foundation repair, once cracking sets in, typically runs $5,000-$15,000 (around $10,000 typical) - roughly 4x the report.
Where this sits nationally
Among the 3,085 rated counties on this site, Bates County, MO ranks 127 most-constrained nationally, and 16 of 114 within Missouri. The county spans 837 square miles, home to 16,394 people.
See how another county compares
Orleans Parish, LA carries this site's most-constrained reading. Bibb County, GA and Sedgwick County, KS are worth a look for comparison.
How this reading is built, and its real limits · The warning signs of expansive-clay damage, explained
Elsewhere in Missouri
Every county in Missouri is on this site, including St. Louis city, MO and Scotland County, MO. The full underlying dataset is downloadable directly, one row per county.