Alcorn County

Mississippi · MS

#33 in Mississippi
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Alcorn County, Mississippi

Alcorn County ranks above national average

Alcorn County scores 68.8 on the composite index, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally—well above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among the stronger-performing counties across the United States for livability.

Among Mississippi's top performers

At 68.8, Alcorn County ranks above the state average of 67.5 and positions itself in the upper tier of Mississippi counties. The county is one of the state's most livable communities by composite measures.

Low taxes and solid affordability standout

Alcorn County boasts a tax score of 85.5 with the lowest effective tax rate at 0.596%, and cost affordability of 85.3 with median home values at $132,300. Health outcomes are also respectable at 59.0, the strongest among these eight counties.

Income growth remains modest

The income score of 15.6 and median household income of $49,404 indicate earnings trail regional and national standards. Environmental risk scores of 35.0 suggest moderate vulnerabilities that residents should monitor.

Best fit for health-conscious budget seekers

Alcorn County appeals to families prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and better-than-average health services. The county offers a stable, affordable lifestyle for those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for quality-of-life benefits.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.5Cost85.3SafetyComing SoonHealth59SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.6Risk35WaterComing Soon
🏛85.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠85.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼15.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
59
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
35
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Alcorn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Alcorn County

via TaxByCounty

Alcorn County's taxes rank low nationally

Alcorn County's 0.596% effective tax rate places it in the bottom quartile nationally, where most counties hover around 0.80%. At $788 median annual property tax, Alcorn residents pay less than 30% of the national median of $2,690, a savings rooted in Mississippi's lower home values.

Mississippi's lowest effective tax rate

Alcorn County boasts the lowest effective tax rate in Mississippi at 0.596%, well below the state average of 0.743%. Although the median tax bill of $788 remains near the state median of $931, Alcorn's favorable rate offers more breathing room for homeowners.

Clear tax advantage over surrounding counties

Alcorn County's 0.596% rate dramatically undercuts every neighboring county in this analysis, including Adams County (0.885%), Calhoun County (0.683%), and Attala County (0.627%). This tax-friendly environment makes Alcorn one of the region's most attractive counties for property owners.

Median home taxed at just $788 annually

With a median home value of $132,300 and a 0.596% effective rate, typical Alcorn County homeowners pay $788 per year in property tax. Adding mortgage-related escrow increases the annual burden to approximately $956, still among the region's lowest.

Verify your assessment to protect savings

Even in low-tax Alcorn County, assessment errors happen—and appealing an inflated valuation can preserve your tax advantage. Contact the county assessor to request a free review of your property's assessed value if you suspect overvaluation.

Cost of Living in Alcorn County

via CostByCounty

Alcorn rents well below national strain

At 17.7%, Alcorn County's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below Mississippi's 19.6% average and well below the national renter burden of roughly 28-30%. With median income of $49,404—closer to statewide norms—Alcorn offers more breathing room for housing costs.

Top tier for affordability in Mississippi

Alcorn County ranks among Mississippi's more affordable counties with a 17.7% rent-to-income ratio, nearly 2 percentage points better than the state average. This efficiency reflects a balance between moderate rent ($728) and solid median income ($49,404).

Alcorn vs. surrounding counties

Alcorn's $728 rent is comparable to Adams County ($720) but carries less affordability strain thanks to a $9,154 income edge. Alcorn outpaces Attala County ($774 rent) and significantly beats Amite County's affordability stress, making it a stronger choice for renters on average incomes.

Alcorn's monthly housing math

Renters here pay $728 monthly while homeowners average $665, against median household income of $49,404—or roughly $4,117 monthly. This leaves renters about $297 after rent, and homeowners $325, providing reasonable cushion for other living expenses.

Relocating to Alcorn County?

Alcorn delivers solid affordability with median rents of $728 and median home values of $132,300 paired with above-average county incomes. If you're comparing options, note Alcorn's higher ownership costs ($665/month) relative to Adams, but stronger income potential makes homeownership more achievable here.

Income & Jobs in Alcorn County

via IncomeByCounty

Alcorn trails U.S. earnings by 34%

Alcorn County's median household income of $49,404 significantly lags the national median of $74,755—a shortfall of $25,351, or 34%. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally, though it performs better than many rural Mississippi peers.

Slightly above Mississippi average

Alcorn County's median household income of $49,404 edges 1% above Mississippi's state average of $48,514, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 82 counties. Per capita income of $29,456 exceeds the state average by $2,320, suggesting more diverse income streams per person.

Mid-range earner in North Mississippi

Alcorn County residents earn more than Adams County ($40,250) and Benton County ($42,139), but less than Carroll County ($55,275). This positioning reflects Alcorn's mixed economy of agriculture, manufacturing, and small business activity.

Rent costs remain reasonable

Alcorn County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.7% sits above the ideal 15% threshold but below many peers, meaning households allocate roughly $726 monthly to rent on median income. The median home value of $132,300 remains within reach for many working families with stable employment.

Leverage stable income for growth

With income above state average, Alcorn County residents have room to save 10–15% of household earnings for retirement and investments. Explore low-cost index funds, community credit unions, and local business investment opportunities to build long-term wealth.

Health in Alcorn County

via HealthByCounty

Alcorn's health outcomes exceed state norms

Alcorn County's life expectancy of 72.2 years runs nearly 5 years below the U.S. average of 77.3 years, but it's among Mississippi's stronger performers. Just 22% of adults report poor or fair health—the lowest rate among our eight-county sample—suggesting better chronic disease management.

Top tier health outcomes in Mississippi

At 72.2 years, Alcorn County's life expectancy ranks above the state average of 70.9 years and ties for the highest in this region. The county's 22% poor/fair health rate also represents one of the best health status indicators statewide.

Alcorn leads regional health rankings

Alcorn County's 72.2-year life expectancy outpaces all neighboring counties except Carroll County (72.0 years). Its 22% poor/fair health rate is significantly better than Amite County (27%), Calhoun County (27.5%), and Carroll County (28.7%).

Mental health resources compensate for primary care gaps

Alcorn County has just 44 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below state levels—but offers 322 mental health providers per 100,000, the highest concentration in the region. With 13.9% uninsured, the county matches the state average, meaning access barriers exist but are narrower than in neighboring counties.

Maintain coverage to protect your health gains

Even at Alcorn County's state-matching 13.9% uninsured rate, those without coverage should explore Mississippi's Health Marketplace to sustain preventive care access. Keeping continuous coverage supports the routine checkups that have helped Alcorn achieve above-average life expectancy.

Disaster Risk in Alcorn County

via RiskByCounty

Alcorn County sits well above national average

Alcorn County scores 65.01 on the composite risk scale, placing it firmly in the relatively low risk category but notably above typical U.S. risk levels. This elevated score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types across the county.

One of Mississippi's higher-risk counties

Alcorn County ranks among the state's riskier areas with a 65.01 score, well above Mississippi's 50.94 average. Only a handful of counties in the state exceed this risk level, making Alcorn a notable hot spot for natural hazard exposure.

Stands out for earthquake and tornado threat

Alcorn County's 65.01 score significantly exceeds neighboring Tippah and Prentiss counties, placing it in a distinct risk category for northeast Mississippi. Its exceptional earthquake risk of 89.76 is particularly unusual for the region and warrants special attention from residents.

Earthquakes, tornadoes shape risk profile

Earthquake risk reaches 89.76—extraordinarily high for Mississippi and the nation—while tornado risk scores 87.53, creating a dual threat environment. These two hazards dominate Alcorn's risk profile far more than flood or wildfire concerns.

Earthquake preparedness is unusual but vital

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquake damage, yet Alcorn County's 89.76 earthquake risk demands dedicated coverage through separate policies. Equally important: ensure your policy covers tornado and wind damage, as the 87.53 tornado risk poses year-round threats.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.