countyscore
63.1
County Score
Cost of Living 95Disaster Risk 88.5Property Tax 86

County Report Card

About Choctaw County, Mississippi

Outperforming the National Landscape

Choctaw County stands out with a robust composite score of 62.7, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This high ranking puts it in the upper tier of American counties for overall livability.

A Top-Tier Mississippi Choice

The county is a standout performer in Mississippi, comfortably exceeding the state average score of 48.4. It offers a much higher standard of overall stability than many of its regional neighbors.

Low Taxes and High Resilience

Choctaw excels in affordability and tax efficiency with scores of 92.9 and 90.4 respectively. Residents benefit from a low effective tax rate of 0.452% and a Risk Score of 88.5, indicating high environmental resilience.

Room for Growth in Health

Economic mobility and health outcomes remain the primary areas for improvement, scoring 11.6 and 30.6. These numbers suggest that while the cost of living is low, access to high-paying jobs and wellness services is more limited.

The Verdict: Perfect for Stable Families

Choctaw is a haven for families seeking extreme affordability and long-term peace of mind. Its combination of low taxes and low environmental risk makes it an exceptionally stable choice for homeownership.

20406080100869555.730.650.613.588.55550.2Tax86Cost95Safety55.7Health30.6Schools50.6Income13.5Risk88.5Water55Weather50.263.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Choctaw County DNA

D+overall

How Choctaw County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Choctaw County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (95/100) but notably weak in Income (13.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
86+34
Cost
95+47
Safety
55.7
Health
30.6-19.4
Schools
50.6
Income
13.5-37.5
Risk
88.5+41.5
Water
55
Weather
50.2
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Choctaw County?

Many homeowners in Choctaw County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$117,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$638/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$117,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $50,919/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

24.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Choctaw County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Choctaw County

via TaxByCounty

Choctaw's low rate beats most of America

Choctaw County's effective tax rate of 0.452% ranks among the lowest in the nation, roughly half the national median of 0.88%. Residents pay just $472 in median annual taxes—only 18% of the national median—making this one of the country's most tax-friendly places to own property.

Mississippi's third-lowest tax rate

Choctaw County's 0.452% effective rate is significantly below Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, placing it among the state's most affordable counties for property owners. Its median tax bill of $472 is the lowest among these eight counties and well under the state median of $931.

Choctaw undercuts nearly all regional peers

Choctaw's 0.452% rate is the lowest in this northeast Mississippi cluster, beating Clarke County (0.499%), Chickasaw (0.743%), Clay (0.689%), and Coahoma (1.240%) by significant margins. Only Claiborne County comes close with a similar low-tax profile.

Median home: $104,500 costs $472 yearly

A homeowner with Choctaw County's median-valued home of $104,500 pays approximately $472 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow adds about $667 per year; without one, the tax bill stands at $294.

Even low-tax counties have assessment errors

Despite Choctaw's favorable rates, some homeowners may still be overassessed relative to comparable properties. Filing an appeal with your county assessor costs nothing and could reduce your already-modest tax burden further.

Income & Jobs in Choctaw County

via IncomeByCounty

Choctaw earns below national standard

Choctaw County's median household income of $48,321 falls 35% short of the national median of $74,755. While higher than many rural Mississippi counties, it still reflects significant income disparity compared to U.S. benchmarks.

Slightly below state median income

Choctaw's $48,321 median household income nearly matches Mississippi's state average of $48,514, placing it near the middle ranking among the state's 82 counties. This positions Choctaw as relatively stable within Mississippi's economic landscape.

One of the stronger counties nearby

Choctaw ($48,321) outearns Chickasaw ($43,041) and Coahoma ($36,259), ranking among the better-performing neighbors in the region. Only Clarke ($46,054) and Covington ($47,001) come close in this local comparison.

Solid housing affordability for renters

Choctaw's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% is the lowest among peer counties, meaning housing costs consume less of household income here. At $48,321 median household income, families have slightly more breathing room for other essential expenses and savings.

Position yourself for long-term growth

Choctaw residents with median income of $48,321 should capitalize on affordability to build savings and explore retirement accounts. Strategic financial planning now can compound into meaningful wealth over time.

Safety in Choctaw County

via CrimeByCounty

Choctaw County Outpaces National Safety Trends

Choctaw County reports a total crime rate of 1,011.2 per 100K, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a strong safety score of 98.4.

Consistent with State Safety Averages

The county's safety score of 98.4 perfectly mirrors the Mississippi state average. Local data from three reporting agencies shows a stable environment for residents.

Regional Comparisons Show Moderate Risk

Choctaw's crime rate is higher than Chickasaw County’s low 82.2 but remains safer than Clay County’s 2,183.0. It occupies a middle ground for safety in this part of Mississippi.

Property Crime Drives Local Numbers

Property crimes account for 840.6 incidents per 100K, while violent crime sits at 170.6. Though violent crime is below the national average of 369.8, property theft remains the primary local concern.

Secure Your Property Today

Since property crime is the most frequent issue, installing smart doorbells can deter opportunistic theft. Simple habits like locking vehicles at night remain highly effective.

Weather & Climate in Choctaw County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic southern humidity and high rainfall

Choctaw County receives 60.3 inches of rain annually, well above the national median for precipitation. While specific annual temperature data is unavailable, it follows the humid subtropical patterns typical of the Deep South.

Surpassing state averages for annual rain

The county's 60.3 inches of precipitation exceeds the Mississippi state average of 59.6 inches. This high rainfall supports the lush, forested landscape characteristic of the region.

Matching the moisture of nearby counties

Choctaw shares a 60.3-inch rainfall profile with Clarke County to the south. This consistency across the region makes it one of the wetter areas in central Mississippi.

A trace of snow amidst wet winters

Winter brings a negligible 0.7 inches of snow on average, keeping the landscape mostly green. While seasonal temperature averages are limited, high annual rainfall suggests consistently high humidity throughout the year.

Manage moisture and seasonal drainage

Homeowners should prioritize gutter maintenance and yard drainage to handle over 60 inches of rain. Even with limited temperature records, preparing for humid summers is essential in this part of the state.

Soil Quality in Choctaw County

via SoilByCounty

High Acidity in Choctaw Soil

Choctaw County’s soil averages a pH of 5.13, making it more acidic than the state average of 5.30. This level is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5, often requiring lime for sensitive crops.

Silty Soils with Low Clay

The soil is a mix of 46.9% silt and 38.4% sand, offering high workability for gardeners. With only 14.7% clay, the earth is easy to till but may require amendments to improve its nutrient-holding capacity.

Excellent Water Storage Potential

Choctaw’s available water capacity of 0.183 in/in is higher than the state average of 0.174 in/in. Although organic matter is low at 1.54%, the soil acts as an efficient reservoir for rainfall.

Managing Sandy Silt Runoff

The county's soil score of 31.2 is slightly lower than the state average of 35.7, suggesting some natural limitations. Without specific hydrologic data, the significant sand content indicates that water will move through the profile relatively quickly.

Thriving in Zone 8a

Azaleas and heat-tolerant vegetables thrive in Choctaw's zone 8a climate. Consider adding compost to your soil to help boost its 1.54% organic matter and improve long-term garden health.

Lawn Care in Choctaw County

via LawnByCounty

Choctaw's Manageable but Demanding Lawns

Choctaw County's lawn difficulty score of 43.5 makes it one of the more manageable areas in the state compared to the 30.9 average. However, it remains more work than the national median score of 50.0, requiring consistent attention in Zone 8a.

Navigating Wet Conditions and Growth

With 60.3 inches of annual rainfall, the county stays well-watered but faces higher risks of fungal issues and runoff. While specific heat data is limited, the high precipitation suggests a productive growing season that necessitates frequent mowing.

Balancing Sandy, Acidic Soil

The soil pH is notably acidic at 5.13, sitting well below the 6.0-7.0 ideal for healthy turf. Because the soil is 38.4% sand, it offers decent drainage, but you will need significant amendments to balance the acidity and retain nutrients.

Stable Moisture for Choctaw Lawns

The county enjoyed a stable year with only 2 weeks spent in drought conditions. Currently, 0% of the area faces abnormal dryness, allowing you to focus on routine maintenance rather than emergency water conservation.

The Best Grass for Choctaw

Heat-tolerant species like Zoysia or Centipedegrass are excellent choices for this 8a hardiness zone. Start your planting projects in mid-spring to take full advantage of the high annual rainfall during the critical establishment phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Choctaw County's county score?
Choctaw County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 63.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Choctaw County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Choctaw County ranks #3 among all counties in Mississippi on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Choctaw County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Choctaw County is $563, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Choctaw County a tax score of 86/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Choctaw County?
The median household income in Choctaw County, Mississippi is $50,919 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Choctaw County earns an income score of 13.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Choctaw County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Choctaw County scores 63.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Choctaw County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Choctaw County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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