CountyScore

Clarke County

Mississippi · MS

#7 in Mississippi
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Clarke County, Mississippi

Clarke Ranks Solidly Above National Averages

Clarke County's composite score of 71.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by nearly 22 points, placing it in the 72nd percentile nationally. This strong performance reflects balanced strength across multiple quality-of-life dimensions.

Highest-Ranking County in This Mississippi Group

Clarke County's score of 71.9 leads all eight counties analyzed and exceeds Mississippi's state average of 67.5 by 4.4 points. Its competitive edge derives from solid tax burden management, good housing affordability, and moderately strong health outcomes.

Low Taxes and Balanced Affordability Win Out

Clarke County combines a 0.499% effective tax rate (tax score: 88.2) with a cost score of 86.4, offering residents genuine financial relief on both fronts. Median home values of $114,300 and rents of $803/month remain reasonable for the region, supported by health outcomes (58.4) above the county group average.

Income Levels and Risk Factors Need Work

A median household income of $46,054 with an income score of 13.5 reflects ongoing wage challenges relative to national standards. Risk management (64.0) also lags peers like Choctaw, suggesting room for improvement in disaster preparedness and community safety infrastructure.

Ideal for Professionals Seeking Balanced Livability

Clarke County appeals to professionals and established families balancing low taxes, reasonable housing, and adequate healthcare—making it the strongest overall choice in Mississippi's analyzed counties. Those prioritizing very low housing costs or maximizing community safety may find better fits elsewhere, but Clarke offers Mississippi's most well-rounded livability profile.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.2Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth58.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk64WaterComing Soon
🏛88.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64
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 Clarke County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
71.9
Median income: $47,728
Clear Creek County
Colorado
71.9
Median income: $96,667
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121

Deep Dives

Clarke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Clarke County

via TaxByCounty

Clarke's rate falls below national median

Clarke County's effective tax rate of 0.499% is substantially lower than the national median of 0.88%, placing the county in the bottom quarter nationally. A median property tax bill of $570 is only 21% of the national median of $2,690, making Clarke a genuinely affordable option for homeowners.

Well below Mississippi's average

Clarke County's 0.499% effective rate undercuts the Mississippi state average of 0.743% by a meaningful margin, reflecting modest tax expectations for property owners. Its median tax of $570 falls well below the state median of $931, putting Clarke among the state's more affordable counties.

Clarke ranks lower-middle in the regional tax ladder

Clarke County's 0.499% rate trails only Choctaw (0.452%) and Claiborne (0.582%) in this northeast Mississippi area, beating Chickasaw (0.743%), Clay (0.689%), and Coahoma (1.240%). It represents a solid middle ground for those seeking tax predictability.

Median home: $114,300 costs $570 yearly

A Clarke County homeowner with the county's median property value of $114,300 pays approximately $570 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow adds roughly $885 per year; without, the direct tax bill is $445.

Review your assessment for potential savings

Many Clarke County homeowners may be overassessing what they owe by not challenging their assessed values. A simple appeal to your county assessor could verify whether your property is fairly valued relative to comparable homes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Clarke County

via CostByCounty

Clarke's rents run above state average

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.9%, Clarke County exceeds Mississippi's state average by 1.3 percentage points, driven by above-state median rents of $803/month. The $46,054 household income falls short of national norms, amplifying the relative burden.

Mid-to-upper tier for housing costs

Clarke County's 20.9% rent-to-income ratio places it above the state median, ranking it among less affordable Mississippi counties. Its $803 median rent is the highest in this eight-county comparison, reflecting local demand or limited supply.

Steepest rents in the region

Clarke's $803 median rent towers over Choctaw ($661) and Covington ($639), costing $100+ more monthly than the cheapest nearby options. This premium reflects Clarke's comparatively robust median home value of $114,300, the second-highest in the group.

Renters bear the heaviest load

Renters in Clarke pay $803/month—20.9% of the $46,054 median income—while homeowners pay only $502/month (13.1%), creating a stark gap between the two groups. This disparity suggests a rental market under pressure.

Buy here, don't rent, if possible

Clarke County makes more sense for homebuyers than renters: mortgage costs sit well below state norms while rents remain stubbornly high. If you're relocating and can afford to purchase, Clarke's median home value of $114,300 may deliver better value than its rental market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Clarke County

via IncomeByCounty

Clarke trails but outpaces rural Mississippi

Clarke County's median household income of $46,054 sits 38% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting Mississippi's broader income challenges. Yet Clarke performs better than many rural peers, suggesting stronger local economic activity.

Mid-range earner within Mississippi

Clarke's $46,054 median household income falls modestly below Mississippi's state average of $48,514, placing it slightly below the median among the state's 82 counties. Clarke remains competitive regionally.

Strong performer in local comparison

Clarke ($46,054) outearns most surrounding counties including Chickasaw ($43,041), Coahoma ($36,259), and Claiborne ($34,371), ranking among the region's economic leaders. Only Choctaw ($48,321) and Copiah ($47,994) edge ahead.

Moderate housing pressure persists

Clarke's rent-to-income ratio of 20.9% sits slightly above the 20% comfort threshold, meaning renters allocate one-fifth of income to housing. With median household income of $46,054, families have limited cushion for savings and emergencies.

Leverage local strengths strategically

Clarke residents earning $46,054 should explore employer retirement plans and establish emergency funds before pursuing investment growth. Local economic stability provides a foundation for gradual wealth-building efforts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Clarke County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap persists despite state parity

Clarke County's life expectancy of 71.5 years exceeds Mississippi's average but lags the U.S. average of 78.9 years by more than 7 years. About 23% of adults report poor or fair health, slightly better than state average but reflecting ongoing chronic disease challenges.

Slightly outperforms state health averages

Clarke County's 71.5-year life expectancy edges above Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing the county in the upper-middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties. The county performs approximately at state median for overall health outcomes.

Mid-range performance in regional comparison

Clarke County's life expectancy falls between Copiah County (70.7 years) and Choctaw County (73.8 years) among nearby counties. Primary care access at 20 per 100K is limited, ranking among the lower tier in this group, while mental health providers at 53 per 100K provide moderate support.

Coverage rates near state average

Clarke County's uninsured rate of 13.3% closely mirrors the state average of 13.9%, meaning roughly 1 in 8 residents lack health insurance. With only 20 primary care providers per 100,000 people, residents may face geographic or availability challenges in accessing routine preventive care.

Bridge the insurance gap in Clarke County

If you're among Clarke County's uninsured residents, health coverage is within reach through Medicaid or ACA marketplace plans. Visit your local county health department or healthcare.gov to find affordable options and connect with enrollment assistance programs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Clarke County

via RiskByCounty

Clarke County Below National Risk Level

Clarke County's composite score of 36.04 earns a Very Low rating, sitting comfortably below the national average. This east-central Mississippi county presents a relatively benign natural hazard environment compared to typical American counties.

Lower Risk Than Most Mississippi

Clarke County ranks in the lower half of Mississippi's 82 counties for overall disaster risk, with a score 29% below the state average of 50.94. The county's positioning reflects safer-than-average exposure to most major hazard types.

More Dangerous Than Western Neighbors

Clarke County's 36.04 score exceeds nearby Claiborne County (24.75) but remains lower than Chickasaw County (43.92). To the north, Clay County (42.53) presents similar risk, while the county benefits from lower exposure than distant Coahoma County (62.50).

Hurricanes and Tornadoes Lead Threats

Clarke County faces elevated hurricane risk at 76.01 and tornado risk at 66.00, the county's two dominant hazards. Flood risk at 36.74 remains notable, while earthquake (48.41) and wildfire (31.23) exposures pose secondary concerns.

Bundle Storm and Flood Protection

Residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with particular attention to hurricane and tornado coverage. For properties in flood-prone areas, separate flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program provides critical protection not included in standard policies.

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.