CountyScore

Coahoma County

Mississippi · MS

#81 in Mississippi
60
County Score

County Report Card

About Coahoma County, Mississippi

Coahoma Faces More Significant Livability Challenges

With a composite score of 60.0, Coahoma County sits 10 points above the national median of 50.0 but represents the lowest performer in this eight-county group. It ranks in the 60th percentile nationally, indicating room for improvement in multiple areas.

Below Mississippi's Average on Livability Measures

Coahoma's score of 60.0 falls below Mississippi's state average of 67.5 by 7.5 points, making it the weakest county analyzed. This gap reflects cumulative challenges across income, health, and risk management dimensions.

Housing Remains Affordable Despite Other Pressures

Coahoma County does maintain strong housing affordability, with a cost score of 86.1, median home value of $86,400, and monthly rent of $719. These figures provide a financial anchor for residents facing income and health challenges.

Highest Tax Burden, Lowest Health and Risk Scores

Coahoma faces an effective tax rate of 1.240%—the highest among all eight counties (tax score: 67.4)—alongside the lowest health score (42.8) and lowest risk score (37.5) in the group. A median household income of just $36,259 compounds these pressures, making economic opportunity limited.

Requires Support Services, Not a Strong First Choice

Coahoma County challenges most household types due to high tax burdens, weak health outcomes, and low community resilience scores. Those considering this county should prioritize proximity to healthcare systems in adjacent areas and seek employment opportunities beyond local markets to mitigate income limitations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax67.4Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth42.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.1Risk37.5WaterComing Soon
🏛67.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤42.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.5
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 Coahoma County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Macomb County
Michigan
60
Median income: $76,399
Jackson County
Missouri
60
Median income: $67,178
Tioga County
New York
60
Median income: $71,791
Davidson County
Tennessee
60
Median income: $75,664
Kendall County
Texas
60
Median income: $110,498

Deep Dives

Coahoma County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Coahoma County

via TaxByCounty

Coahoma's rate exceeds national and state averages

Coahoma County's effective tax rate of 1.240% is notably higher than both the national median of 0.88% and Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, placing it among the least affordable counties in both comparisons. Its median property tax of $1,071 is still less than 40% of the national median of $2,690, though it represents the highest burden among these eight counties.

Highest tax rate in this county cluster

Coahoma County's 1.240% effective rate significantly exceeds Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, making it the most heavily taxed county in this eight-county grouping. Its median tax bill of $1,071 is well above the state median of $931, signaling steeper costs for property owners here.

Coahoma stands out for higher tax burden

Coahoma's 1.240% rate is dramatically higher than every peer in the region—nearly triple Choctaw's 0.452% and significantly above Chickasaw (0.743%), Clay (0.689%), and Clarke (0.499%). For tax-conscious buyers, Coahoma represents the pricier end of this cluster.

Median home: $86,400 costs $1,071 yearly

A Coahoma County homeowner with the county's median property value of $86,400 pays approximately $1,071 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow accounts for roughly $1,607 per year; without, the direct tax bill stands at $789.

Assessment appeals are especially worthwhile here

Given Coahoma's higher tax burden, homeowners should seriously consider challenging their assessed values if they believe they're inflated. An assessment appeal costs nothing and could recover hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Coahoma County

via CostByCounty

Coahoma faces Mississippi's severest strain

With a rent-to-income ratio of 23.8%, Coahoma County experiences the worst housing affordability burden in this eight-county cohort and well above Mississippi's 19.6% state average. The median household income of $36,259—just 49% of the national average—leaves minimal margin for other expenses.

Bottom tier for Mississippi affordability

Coahoma County's 23.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the poorest housing affordability metrics across Mississippi's 82 counties. Only counties in severe economic distress rival these pressures.

Highest rental burden in the region

At $719/month rent on a $36,259 income, Coahoma's affordability crisis exceeds even Claiborne County's struggles, despite only marginally higher rents. The root cause lies in incomes compressed to the region's lowest levels.

Housing dominates household budgets

Renters pay $719/month (23.8% of income) while homeowners pay $624/month (20.6%), with both groups allocating over one-fifth of earnings to housing alone. This leaves less than 80% of household income for food, utilities, healthcare, and all other needs.

Relocation here requires realistic planning

Coahoma County's low home values ($86,400) and rents cannot offset the severity of income constraints—relocate here only with guaranteed employment or substantial financial reserves. The affordability crisis here is structural, not just a matter of finding cheaper housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Coahoma County

via IncomeByCounty

Coahoma faces acute income shortfall

Coahoma County's median household income of $36,259 is 51% below the national median of $74,755, indicating severe economic distress. The county ranks among the lowest-income areas in the United States.

Among Mississippi's poorest counties

Coahoma's $36,259 median household income ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's 82 counties, trailing the state average of $48,514 by $12,255. The county struggles with persistent income poverty.

Trailing across the regional map

Coahoma ($36,259) underperforms nearly all neighbors, including Chickasaw ($43,041), Choctaw ($48,321), Claiborne ($34,371), and Clarke ($46,054). Only Claiborne approaches Coahoma's low income levels in this area.

Housing burden constrains budgets

Coahoma's rent-to-income ratio of 23.8% is among the region's worst, consuming nearly one-quarter of household income for rent. At $36,259 median income, families face severe pressure meeting basic needs and building reserves.

Access support and plan together

Coahoma residents should seek nonprofit financial counseling, workforce training, and employer benefits to strengthen income foundations. Community organizations can provide tools and guidance for managing and gradually improving financial circumstances.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Coahoma County

via HealthByCounty

Severe life expectancy crisis in county

Coahoma County's life expectancy of just 65.3 years ranks lowest in this county group and represents a shocking 13.6-year gap below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. One-third of adults (33%) report poor or fair health, signaling an acute public health crisis with widespread chronic disease.

Unhealthiest county in Mississippi

Coahoma County's 65.3-year life expectancy falls 5.6 years below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, ranking it among the absolute lowest in the state. The county faces the most severe health challenges in Mississippi's 82-county system.

Crisis conditions require urgent intervention

Coahoma County's life expectancy dramatically trails all neighboring counties, with the nearest peer (Claiborne County at 68.6 years) still 3.3 years ahead. Remarkably, the county has 568 mental health providers per 100,000 people—by far the highest in the group—but 33% poor/fair health rates suggest systemic failures beyond mental health capacity.

Insurance gaps amid health catastrophe

Coahoma County's uninsured rate of 14.4% exceeds the state average of 13.9%, leaving over 2,500 residents without regular healthcare access. With 43 primary care providers per 100K—moderate by state standards—systemic barriers beyond provider supply appear to be driving the county's health crisis.

Urgent: secure coverage and support

Coahoma County residents face a health emergency requiring immediate action. If you're uninsured, contact Mississippi Medicaid or visit healthcare.gov now to enroll, and ask your health provider about disease management programs for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Coahoma County

via RiskByCounty

Coahoma County Above National Average

Coahoma County scores 62.50 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating but sitting 23% above the national average. This northwestern Mississippi county faces notably elevated natural disaster exposure compared to typical American communities.

High-Risk County for Mississippi

Coahoma County ranks in the upper third of Mississippi's 82 counties for disaster risk, with a composite score 23% above the state average of 50.94. Only counties with the most extreme hazard exposure exceed Coahoma's overall risk profile.

Significantly Riskier Than All Neighbors

Coahoma County's 62.50 score substantially exceeds all adjacent counties, including Clay (42.53), Chickasaw (43.92), and Quitman to the south. The county's elevated risk stems primarily from exceptional earthquake exposure (90.71), the highest in its region.

Earthquakes and Tornadoes Dominate Risk

Coahoma residents face exceptional earthquake risk at 90.71—among Mississippi's highest—and elevated tornado risk at 86.61. Flood risk at 46.28 poses a secondary concern, while wildfire threat remains minimal at just 10.53.

Earthquake Insurance Is Essential Here

Coahoma County residents absolutely need earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude seismic damage. Additionally, invest in tornado-resistant construction features and maintain strong homeowners coverage, as the county's elevated earthquake and tornado exposure makes comprehensive protection critical.

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.