CountyScore

Amite County

Mississippi · MS

#18 in Mississippi
70.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Amite County, Mississippi

Amite County well above national standard

Amite County scores 70.4 on the composite index, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally and substantially above the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong livability across multiple dimensions compared to U.S. peers.

Tops Mississippi county rankings

At 70.4, Amite County ranks above the state average of 67.5 and is among the highest-scoring counties in Mississippi. The county represents one of the state's most livable communities.

Best-in-class affordability and tax rates

Amite County delivers exceptional affordability with scores of 90.2 and 88.6 for cost and tax respectively, featuring the lowest effective tax rate at 0.484% and median home values of just $89,800. Median rent of $689/month and strong risk resilience at 51.8 add to its appeal.

Income levels significantly lag

The income dimension scores just 6.5, the lowest among these eight counties, with median household income of $35,385 well below state norms. Health scores of 53.1 suggest room for improvement in healthcare access or outcomes.

Perfect for frugal rural-minded residents

Amite County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking minimal cost-of-living expenses with tolerance for lower local wages. The county excels at affordability and tax efficiency, making it attractive to those prioritizing financial savings over income potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.6Cost90.2SafetyComing SoonHealth53.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome6.5Risk51.8WaterComing Soon
🏛88.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠90.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Amite County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chambers County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $49,295
Wilcox County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $42,236
Ashley County
Arkansas
70.4
Median income: $44,481
Dixie County
Florida
70.4
Median income: $47,655
Morgan County
Indiana
70.4
Median income: $79,088

Deep Dives

Amite County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Amite County

via TaxByCounty

Amite County offers steep national tax savings

Amite County's 0.484% effective tax rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, far below the national median of 0.80%. Homeowners here pay just $435 in median annual property tax—approximately 16% of the $2,690 national median, reflecting both low rates and modest home values.

Mississippi's lowest median property tax

Amite County delivers Mississippi's most affordable property tax environment, with a median bill of $435 and an effective rate of 0.484% well below the state average of 0.743%. This combination of low rates and lower home values makes Amite a genuinely affordable county to own property in.

Most tax-friendly in the immediate region

Amite County's 0.484% effective rate and $435 median tax undercut all comparable nearby counties, including Attala County (0.627%, $675) and Carroll County (0.665%, $702). This makes Amite the region's clearest choice for property owners seeking minimal tax burden.

County's lowest median tax in the state

On Amite County's median home value of $89,800, residents pay approximately $435 yearly in property tax at the 0.484% rate. Including mortgage escrow, the annual total reaches roughly $764, the lowest in Mississippi.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Low rates don't mean assessments are always accurate—even in Amite County, some homeowners may be overassessed. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and can further reduce your already-modest tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Amite County

via CostByCounty

Amite faces toughest affordability squeeze

Amite County's 23.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in Mississippi, exceeding the state average of 19.6% by 3.8 percentage points. With the lowest median household income in this peer group at $35,385, Amite residents strain hardest to afford even its modest $689 monthly rent.

Mississippi's most strained county

At 23.4%, Amite County's rent-to-income ratio places it among the least affordable in the state, driven by income levels that trail most Mississippi counties. For renters here, housing costs consume roughly a quarter of gross income—significantly more than the sustainable 30% threshold.

Amite struggles vs. surrounding areas

Amite's $689 rent is the lowest among neighbors, yet its 23.4% burden ratio is the highest—a reflection of incomes $4,865 below Adams County and $13,890 below Alcorn. Even cheap rent becomes unaffordable when paychecks don't keep pace.

Amite's tight income-to-housing gap

Renters pay $689 monthly on a median household income of $35,385—just $2,949 monthly—while homeowners average $393. This leaves renters only $260 per month after housing and homeowners $324, among the tightest margins in the region.

Thinking about Amite County?

Amite's lowest rents ($689) and most affordable homeownership ($393/month, median home value $89,800) appeal to budget seekers, but incomes here rank lowest regionally. Consider whether local employment opportunities align with your needs, or compare to higher-income counties like Alcorn ($49,404) or Carroll ($55,275) for long-term stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Amite County

via IncomeByCounty

Amite County earns half national median

Amite County's median household income of $35,385 represents just 47% of the U.S. median of $74,755—one of the steepest gaps in the nation. This $39,370 deficit signals significant economic challenges and limited earning potential for local workers.

Near bottom of Mississippi rankings

Amite County ranks among Mississippi's lowest-income counties at $35,385, falling $13,129 short of the state average of $48,514. The per capita income of $24,941 also trails the state by $2,195, indicating limited wealth distribution across the population.

Struggling against stronger neighbors

Amite County's median income significantly lags Adams County ($40,250), Alcorn County ($49,404), and Attala County ($48,098). This disparity reflects economic transitions in the region and relative disadvantage in employment and industry diversity.

Housing cost burden is severe

Amite County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.4% is among the highest in Mississippi, forcing households to spend nearly a quarter of income on rent alone. The median home value of $89,800 is the lowest in this cohort, reflecting lower property values but also limited homeownership capacity.

Focus on reducing debt and expenses

Amite County residents should prioritize eliminating high-interest debt and building small emergency savings before investing. Look into local job training programs, nonprofit credit counseling, and state assistance programs to strengthen financial foundations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Amite County

via HealthByCounty

Amite County life expectancy trails national average

At 72.1 years, Amite County's life expectancy falls roughly 5 years short of the U.S. average of 77.3 years. Nearly 27% of residents report poor or fair health, nearly 50% above the national average, pointing to significant unmet preventive and chronic care needs.

Slightly above Mississippi baseline health outcomes

Amite County's 72.1-year life expectancy edges past Mississippi's 70.9-year average, though its 27% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's highest. The county represents a mixed health profile—longer-lived residents but with substantial illness burden.

Amite lags healthier counties in the region

Amite County's 27% poor/fair health rate ties with Adams County and trails the healthier performers like Alcorn County (22%) and Attala County (25.2%). Its 72.1-year life expectancy falls short of Carroll County (72.0 years) and Alcorn County (72.2 years).

Severe provider shortages hamper healthcare access

Amite County has only 16 primary care providers and 16 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the region and far below adequate levels. Combined with a 15.4% uninsured rate, these access gaps mean residents face long waits and limited options for both routine and behavioral health care.

Health coverage is a critical first step

With severe provider shortages and 15.4% uninsured, Amite County residents should prioritize getting covered through Mississippi's Health Marketplace or Medicaid to at least secure access to telehealth and regional specialists. Coverage creates a foundation for care coordination even when local providers are limited.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Amite County

via RiskByCounty

Amite County just below national average risk

Amite County scores 48.22 on the composite risk scale, landing in the relatively low risk category and slightly below the national average. This moderate profile masks significant risk concentration in specific hazards like hurricanes and wildfires.

Lower-risk county within Mississippi

Amite County's 48.22 score sits below Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. Still, this relatively favorable position doesn't eliminate meaningful exposure to Gulf-driven hurricanes and seasonal storms.

Similar risk to Pike and Wilkinson counties

Amite County's 48.22 score closely mirrors neighboring Pike County, both occupying the safer tier of southwest Mississippi. However, all three counties in this region face elevated hurricane risk due to proximity to the Gulf Coast.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose acute threats

Hurricane risk dominates at 86.27—among the highest in Mississippi due to coastal exposure—while wildfire risk reaches 61.16, reflecting the county's timber resources and seasonal fire seasons. Tornado risk of 67.14 adds a third seasonal threat during spring months.

Hurricane coverage is non-negotiable

With a hurricane risk score of 86.27, wind and storm surge coverage must be prioritized in your homeowners policy. Additionally, separate wildfire insurance or coverage riders make sense given the 61.16 wildfire risk score in this timber-rich county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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