CountyScore

Benton County

Mississippi · MS

#11 in Mississippi
71.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Benton County, Mississippi

Benton County exceeds national livability

Benton County scores 71.1 on the composite index, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally—significantly above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among stronger-performing U.S. counties for overall livability.

Among Mississippi's top-tier counties

At 71.1, Benton County ranks above the state average of 67.5 and holds a competitive position among Mississippi's most livable counties. The county demonstrates solid performance across multiple measured dimensions.

Outstanding environmental resilience

Benton County delivers the highest risk score of 84.8 among these eight counties, indicating strong environmental resilience and low disaster vulnerability. Tax efficiency of 83.8 and cost affordability of 87.0 provide additional strengths.

Income and health need strengthening

The income score of 10.9 with median household income of $42,139 suggests limited wage growth, and health scores of 52.8 lag behind peer counties. These dimensions represent the most significant improvement opportunities.

Ideal for risk-averse families

Benton County appeals to families prioritizing environmental safety and natural disaster resilience alongside affordable housing and low taxes. The county offers stability and protection from climate and economic volatility for residents willing to accept modest income levels.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.8Cost87SafetyComing SoonHealth52.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome10.9Risk84.8WaterComing Soon
🏛83.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼10.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡84.8
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 Benton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Autauga County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $69,841
Lawrence County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $60,040
Limestone County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $83,534
Lowndes County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $35,160
North Slope Borough
Alaska
71.1
Median income: $86,313

Deep Dives

Benton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Benton County

via TaxByCounty

Benton County taxes remain national bargain

Benton County's 0.655% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.80%, and its $716 median property tax represents just 27% of the $2,690 national median. This substantial discount stems from Mississippi's significantly lower home values compared to national norms.

Slightly below Mississippi's state average

Benton County's 0.655% effective rate sits just below Mississippi's 0.743% state average, landing it in the favorable bottom half statewide. The $716 median tax tracks 23% below the state median of $931, delivering above-average savings for property owners.

Reasonable tax position in the region

Benton County's 0.655% rate ranks between Alcorn County's low 0.596% and Adams County's high 0.885%, placing it solidly in the regional middle ground. The $716 median tax similarly reflects an intermediate position among comparable surrounding counties.

Median home taxed around $716 yearly

With a median home value of $109,300 and a 0.655% effective rate, typical Benton County residents pay approximately $716 in annual property tax. Mortgage escrow adds roughly $53, bringing the total to about $769.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

Even moderate tax rates can mask individual overassessments—Benton County residents should verify their home's appraised value against recent comparable sales. The county assessor's office provides free assessment information and can guide you through an appeal if needed.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Benton County

via CostByCounty

Benton rents slightly above state average

Benton County's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Mississippi's 19.6% average, though it remains far below the national renter burden of 28-30%. With median income of $42,139, Benton residents face moderate housing pressure relative to incomes.

Slightly less affordable than Mississippi average

At 20.8%, Benton County's rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly above the statewide average, placing it in the less-affordable tier. This reflects lower median income ($42,139) relative to rent costs, a pattern more common in rural southern counties.

Benton compared to nearby counties

Benton's $729 rent and 20.8% burden fall between Adams ($720 rent, 21.5% burden) and Attala ($774 rent, 19.3% burden), with income lower than both neighbors. Benton renters face pressure similar to Adams but with slightly higher rent.

Benton's monthly housing budget

Renters pay $729 monthly while homeowners average $550, against median household income of $42,139—roughly $3,512 monthly. This leaves renters about $276 after rent and homeowners $295, tighter margins than higher-income neighbors.

Considering Benton County?

Benton offers moderate rents ($729) and ownership costs ($550) with median home values of $109,300, though income levels here rank lower than Alcorn or Attala. If affordability is primary, compare Benton's numbers against Amite's lower rents or Carroll's stronger incomes to find your best match.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Benton County

via IncomeByCounty

Benton County earns 56% of U.S. median

Benton County's median household income of $42,139 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $32,616, or 44%. The county ranks in the lower-income tier nationally, similar to many rural Mississippi and Southern counties.

Below Mississippi state average

Benton County's median household income of $42,139 falls $6,375 short of Mississippi's state average of $48,514. The per capita income of $23,870 is the lowest among this group, falling $3,266 below state average.

Lower earnings than most regional peers

Benton County residents earn less than Alcorn County ($49,404), Attala County ($48,098), and Carroll County ($55,275), but more than Amite County ($35,385). The county's income profile reflects limited employment diversity and wage competition.

Housing costs are manageable

Benton County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% sits slightly above recommended levels, meaning households spend about $729 monthly on rent from median income. The median home value of $109,300 remains within reach for many working families.

Maximize savings despite constraints

Benton County residents should aim to save 8–10% of household income, prioritizing emergency funds before investing. Explore community banks, employer benefits programs, and local economic development initiatives that support worker advancement.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Benton County

via HealthByCounty

Benton County life expectancy significantly below U.S. average

At 70.7 years, Benton County's life expectancy ranks among the lowest in the region and falls 6.6 years short of the U.S. average of 77.3 years. Nearly a quarter of residents (23.3%) report poor or fair health, reflecting premature mortality and substantial illness burden.

Below-average life expectancy for Mississippi

Benton County's 70.7-year life expectancy falls slightly below Mississippi's 70.9-year state average, positioning it in the lower tier statewide. The county's health outcomes suggest systemic barriers to both preventive care and chronic disease management.

Benton ranks lowest among regional peers

At 70.7 years, Benton County has the shortest life expectancy among all eight counties in this analysis, trailing even Bolivar County (67.0 years) when adjusted for health equity context. Only Bolivar and Calhoun County approach Benton's low performance.

Critical primary care shortage drives health gaps

Benton County has only 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the region—creating substantial barriers to preventive care and routine diagnosis. The situation is compounded by an 18% uninsured rate, the highest among all eight counties, meaning many residents lack even basic coverage.

Insurance access is urgent in Benton County

With 18% uninsured and severe primary care shortages, Benton County residents should immediately explore coverage through Mississippi's Health Marketplace or Medicaid—no enrollment fee required. Coverage paired with targeted outreach to available mental health services (54 per 100K) could help address the county's troubling life expectancy gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Benton County

via RiskByCounty

Benton County: Mississippi's safest county

Benton County scores just 15.24 on the composite risk scale, making it one of the very lowest-risk counties in America. This exceptional rating reflects minimal exposure to major natural hazards and makes it a standout safe haven within Mississippi.

Dramatically safer than Mississippi average

Benton County's 15.24 score is less than one-third of Mississippi's 50.94 state average, positioning it as the state's safest or near-safest county. This remarkable gap underscores the county's unique geographic advantage and low-hazard profile.

Far safer than surrounding counties

Benton County's 15.24 score dwarfs all nearby counties including Marshall (higher), Tippah, and Prentiss, establishing it as a clear regional outlier. Its northeast location and distance from flood-prone river systems and coastal zones explain much of this advantage.

Earthquake is only moderate concern

Earthquake risk at 78.44 is Benton County's highest hazard score, though tornado (54.90) and flood (14.25) risks remain minimal. Even the earthquake score, while elevated for the county, reflects a broader regional pattern rather than acute local vulnerability.

Basic coverage provides ample protection

Standard homeowners insurance without specialized riders likely covers your primary risks in Benton County. Flood insurance is optional for most residents given the county's 14.25 flood risk—among the lowest in the state.

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.