Attala County

Mississippi · MS

#19 in Mississippi
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Attala County, Mississippi

Attala County ranks solidly above peers

Attala County scores 70.3 on the composite index, reaching the 70th percentile nationally and exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county demonstrates strong overall livability relative to U.S. counties.

Near the top of Mississippi

At 70.3, Attala County ranks above the state average of 67.5, positioning it among Mississippi's most livable counties. The score reflects consistent performance across measured dimensions.

Low taxes, affordable housing, and safety

Attala County offers a tax score of 84.6 with an effective rate of 0.627%, cost affordability of 86.0, and the strongest risk resilience at 65.9 among these eight counties. Median home values of $107,600 and health outcomes of 55.1 round out the strengths.

Income remains below regional expectations

The income score of 14.8 and median household income of $48,098 indicate earnings potential trails broader comparisons. While not critically low, income growth opportunities appear limited.

Great for safety-conscious value seekers

Attala County suits families and workers prioritizing environmental stability, affordable housing, and low tax burdens. The county's strong risk profile and reasonable cost structure make it appealing for those seeking a secure, economical lifestyle.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.6Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth55.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.8Risk65.9WaterComing Soon
🏛84.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼14.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
55.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
65.9
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

Attala County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Attala County

via TaxByCounty

Attala County taxes well below national norm

Attala County's 0.627% effective tax rate sits modestly above the national median of 0.80%, but at $675 median annual property tax, residents pay less than 25% of the $2,690 national figure. The gap reflects Mississippi's lower home values relative to national averages.

Near Mississippi's middle-range tax burden

Attala County's 0.627% effective rate sits slightly below Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, placing it in the favorable middle tier. The median tax of $675 runs 27% below the state median of $931, providing above-average savings for homeowners.

Middle ground among nearby counties

Attala County's 0.627% rate and $675 median tax place it squarely between high-burden Adams County (0.885%, $941) and low-burden Alcorn County (0.596%, $788). This makes Attala a reasonable middle option within the regional tax landscape.

Median home generates $675 annual tax

On Attala County's median home value of $107,600, homeowners pay approximately $675 per year at the 0.627% effective rate. Adding mortgage escrow costs brings the total to roughly $896 annually.

Many assessments can be successfully challenged

Property tax appeals in Mississippi have high success rates when homeowners document their case with comparable sales data. Contact Attala County's assessor office to learn how to formally challenge an assessment you believe is excessive.

Cost of Living in Attala County

via CostByCounty

Attala sits near statewide affordability norms

Attala County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio closely tracks Mississippi's 19.6% average, offering near-statewide affordability. With median income of $48,098 and rent of $774, Attala balances moderate costs against reasonable earning power.

Middle ground in Mississippi housing

At 19.3%, Attala sits virtually at Mississippi's statewide average rent-to-income ratio, placing it squarely in the middle tier of county affordability. This stability reflects consistent income and rental markets across the county.

Attala's balanced position among peers

Attala's $774 rent is the highest in this peer group, yet its 19.3% burden ratio remains competitive because median income ($48,098) runs stronger than Adams, Benton, and Amite. This county rewards higher earners with manageable housing costs relative to what they bring home.

Attala's monthly affordability snapshot

Renters pay $774 monthly while homeowners average $558, against median household income of $48,098—roughly $4,008 monthly. This leaves renters about $291 after rent and homeowners $325, reasonable margins for other essentials.

Relocating to Attala County?

Attala offers moderate rents ($774) and ownership costs ($558) paired with solid median income of $48,098 and affordable home values of $107,600. Compare this stability against higher-cost Alcorn ($665 ownership) or lower-income Amite to assess whether Attala's middle-ground positioning fits your budget.

Income & Jobs in Attala County

via IncomeByCounty

Attala earns roughly 64% of U.S. median

Attala County's median household income of $48,098 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $26,657, or 36%. While below the national benchmark, the county performs better than the lowest-income Mississippi counties.

Fractionally below state average

Attala County's median household income of $48,098 sits just beneath Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $416. The county's per capita income of $28,061 exceeds the state average by $925, suggesting more balanced income distribution.

Mid-range performer in central region

Attala County earns more than Adams County ($40,250) and Amite County ($35,385), but less than Alcorn County ($49,404) and Carroll County ($55,275). Its income profile reflects a mixed economy with agriculture, retail, and small manufacturing sectors.

Housing affordability reasonable

Attala County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% sits above the ideal 15% but remains manageable compared to state peers. The median home value of $107,600 is accessible for many households, supporting both rental and ownership pathways.

Build wealth through steady saving

Attala County residents are positioned to save 10–12% of household income regularly for long-term investments. Consider tax-advantaged retirement accounts, affordable homeownership programs, and local small business opportunities to strengthen financial stability.

Health in Attala County

via HealthByCounty

Attala County life expectancy trails U.S. by five years

Attala County's life expectancy of 71.0 years falls roughly 6 years short of the U.S. average of 77.3 years. A quarter of residents report poor or fair health (25.2%), nearly 40% above the national average, indicating significant chronic disease and disability burden.

Slightly above state average, with mixed outcomes

At 71.0 years, Attala County matches Mississippi's 70.9-year state average life expectancy, while its 25.2% poor/fair health rate sits slightly below the state median. The county represents a typical Mississippi health profile—modest life expectancy with substantial illness prevalence.

Attala lands in the regional health middle

Attala County's 25.2% poor/fair health rate outperforms Carroll County (28.7%) and Benton County (23.3%), placing it in the regional middle tier. Its 71.0-year life expectancy trails the top performers like Alcorn County (72.2) but beats Bolivar County (67.0).

Moderate provider access with manageable uninsured rate

Attala County has 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 52 mental health providers—reasonable supply that supports basic access. At 14.1% uninsured, the county runs slightly above Mississippi's state average, leaving about 1 in 7 residents without coverage.

Explore insurance to strengthen prevention efforts

With 14.1% of Attala County uninsured and reasonable provider availability, getting covered through Mississippi's Health Marketplace opens the door to preventive screening and early chronic disease management. Closing coverage gaps would help move the needle on the county's 25% illness burden.

Disaster Risk in Attala County

via RiskByCounty

Attala County ranks very low nationally

Attala County scores just 34.16 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the very low risk category and significantly below the national average. This favorable standing reflects relatively modest exposure to most major natural hazards.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

Attala County's 34.16 score places it well below Mississippi's 50.94 state average, ranking it among the state's safer counties. This below-average risk makes Attala an attractive option for those seeking lower natural hazard exposure within Mississippi.

Safer than surrounding central Mississippi

Attala County's 34.16 score significantly outperforms neighbors like Leake and Madison counties in terms of overall safety. Its central location in Mississippi provides distance from Gulf hurricane zones and coastal flood risks that affect counties to the south and east.

Tornado and earthquake risks are moderate

Tornado risk registers at 73.03, the highest hazard for Attala County, though still below state and national norms. Earthquake risk of 70.01 represents an unusual secondary concern for the region, while flood risk is notably low at 27.89.

Standard coverage protects most risks

A standard homeowners policy with comprehensive wind and hail coverage should adequately address Attala County's modest tornado risk. Given the relatively low overall risk profile, basic flood insurance may be optional for most residents outside designated high-risk zones.

ByCounty Network

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