Choctaw County's composite score of 76.1 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 76th percentile nationally. It stands as one of Mississippi's highest-scoring counties for overall livability.
2 / 5
Clear State Leader in Livability Rankings
With a score of 76.1, Choctaw County outperforms Mississippi's average of 67.5 by nearly 9 points, making it the strongest performer among these eight counties. Its competitive positioning reflects balanced strength across multiple dimensions of county life.
3 / 5
Risk Management and Tax Burden Set National Benchmarks
Choctaw's risk score of 88.5 is exceptional, indicating strong disaster preparedness and community resilience. A 0.452% effective tax rate (tax score: 89.6) stands among the lowest in the nation, while housing costs remain attractive at $661/month rent and $104,500 median home value.
4 / 5
Income Growth Remains Below Potential
Despite Choctaw's overall strength, median household income of $48,321 and an income score of 14.9 reveal persistent wage challenges. Health outcomes (61.5) are respectable but could be higher to match the county's otherwise strong performance profile.
5 / 5
Top Choice for Risk-Averse, Value-Seeking Residents
Choctaw County is ideal for families and retirees who prioritize safety, low taxes, and disaster resilience alongside affordable living costs. Those seeking substantially higher incomes should consider moving to larger metros, but for stable, cost-conscious households, Choctaw offers Mississippi's best livability package.
Choctaw County's composite score of 76.1 places it well above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 76th percentile nationally. It stands as one of Mississippi's highest-scoring counties for overall livability.
Clear State Leader in Livability Rankings
With a score of 76.1, Choctaw County outperforms Mississippi's average of 67.5 by nearly 9 points, making it the strongest performer among these eight counties. Its competitive positioning reflects balanced strength across multiple dimensions of county life.
Risk Management and Tax Burden Set National Benchmarks
Choctaw's risk score of 88.5 is exceptional, indicating strong disaster preparedness and community resilience. A 0.452% effective tax rate (tax score: 89.6) stands among the lowest in the nation, while housing costs remain attractive at $661/month rent and $104,500 median home value.
Income Growth Remains Below Potential
Despite Choctaw's overall strength, median household income of $48,321 and an income score of 14.9 reveal persistent wage challenges. Health outcomes (61.5) are respectable but could be higher to match the county's otherwise strong performance profile.
Top Choice for Risk-Averse, Value-Seeking Residents
Choctaw County is ideal for families and retirees who prioritize safety, low taxes, and disaster resilience alongside affordable living costs. Those seeking substantially higher incomes should consider moving to larger metros, but for stable, cost-conscious households, Choctaw offers Mississippi's best livability package.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.4%, Choctaw County outperforms both Mississippi's state average (19.6%) and the national benchmark for housing affordability. A median rent of $661/month paired with a $48,321 household income creates one of the region's most favorable housing equations.
Top-tier affordability across Mississippi
Choctaw County ranks among the state's most affordable regions for renters, with its 16.4% rent-to-income ratio sitting 3.2 percentage points below Mississippi's average. This positions it as a genuine outlier in a state where many counties struggle with housing costs.
Cheapest rents in the local cluster
Choctaw's median rent of $661 undercuts Chickasaw ($702) and Covington ($639) by notable margins, making it the rental bargain among nearby counties. Homeowners here also benefit from the lowest monthly costs at $500, the best in this comparison group.
Renters and owners both win here
Rent consumes just 16.4% of the $48,321 median household income, while mortgage costs eat only 12.4%, giving both renters and homeowners breathing room. This dual affordability is rare among Mississippi counties.
Choctaw is a rare Mississippi bargain
If you're seeking genuinely affordable housing in Mississippi, Choctaw County delivers—with rents and ownership costs significantly below state averages. Test your budget here against similar-sized counties like Copiah and Covington to confirm the savings.
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.
Choctaw County's life expectancy of 73.8 years ranks highest in this county cohort and significantly exceeds Mississippi's average, though it still trails the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 5 years. Just 22% of adults report poor or fair health, suggesting better chronic disease management than many rural Mississippi counties.
Health leader within Mississippi
Choctaw County's 73.8-year life expectancy places it among the healthiest counties in Mississippi, exceeding the state average of 70.9 years by nearly 3 years. The county ranks in the top quartile of Mississippi's 82 counties for overall health metrics.
Stands apart with exceptional mental health capacity
Choctaw County boasts 161 mental health providers per 100,000 people—dramatically higher than Chickasaw County (30) and most neighboring counties. However, primary care access at just 12 per 100K is the lowest among peers, creating an imbalance in the county's healthcare infrastructure.
Strong coverage with room for improvement
Choctaw County's uninsured rate of 12.8% sits below the state average of 13.9%, meaning more residents have regular health insurance access. The county's exceptional mental health infrastructure supports behavioral health needs, though low primary care provider density may create challenges for routine medical care.
Maximize your health insurance benefits
With strong coverage rates in Choctaw County, most residents benefit from health insurance—but gaps remain. If you're uninsured or underinsured, visit the Mississippi Medicaid office or healthcare.gov to explore options that fit your family's needs and income.
Choctaw County scores just 11.55 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and sitting dramatically below both Mississippi's average of 50.94 and the national average. This county faces fewer natural disaster threats than nearly anywhere in the state.
Ranked Among State's Lowest Risk
Choctaw County ranks in the safest tier of Mississippi's 82 counties, with a composite score 78% lower than the state average. Its risk profile stands out as exceptionally favorable across most hazard categories.
Significantly Safer Than Neighbors
Choctaw County's 11.55 score is substantially lower than adjacent Chickasaw County (43.92) and Clay County (42.53). Even compared to other low-risk neighbors like Claiborne County (24.75), Choctaw stands out as the safest area in its region.
Tornadoes and Earthquakes Pose Modest Threat
Tornado risk at 48.57 and earthquake risk at 50.10 represent Choctaw's highest exposure, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk is exceptionally low at 9.96, and wildfire threat minimal at 22.96, creating one of Mississippi's most benign risk environments.
Standard Coverage Typically Sufficient
While Choctaw County's low-risk profile means basic homeowners insurance provides solid protection, residents should still maintain tornado and severe storm preparedness. Earthquake risk, though modest, warrants a conversation with your insurance agent about coverage options.