CountyScore

Copiah County

Mississippi · MS

#36 in Mississippi
68.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Copiah County, Mississippi

Copiah Scores Solidly Above National Standards

Copiah County's composite score of 68.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 18 points, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. This indicates respectable livability by U.S. benchmarks, particularly for a rural Mississippi county.

Marginally Better Than Mississippi's Average

With a score of 68.2, Copiah County slightly outperforms Mississippi's state average of 67.5, indicating middle-tier competitive strength within the state. Its ranking falls in the middle of this eight-county comparison.

Best-in-Group Affordability with Decent Health

Copiah County boasts the highest cost score (88.6) in this group, with median home value of $105,600 and monthly rent of $682—among the state's most affordable. A median household income of $47,994 (income score: 14.7) ranks in the upper tier, while health outcomes (56.8) provide additional strength.

Risk Management Lags Despite Housing Strength

Copiah's risk score of 38.7 is among the lowest in the group, indicating weaker disaster preparedness and community safety infrastructure. The effective tax rate of 0.789% (tax score: 80.1) is moderate but not the lowest, representing a secondary concern.

Best for Families Prioritizing Affordability and Income

Copiah County is ideal for families seeking the strongest combination of low housing costs and moderate local incomes in Mississippi. Those with safety and disaster resilience as top priorities should examine risk management infrastructure more closely before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.1Cost88.6SafetyComing SoonHealth56.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.7Risk38.7WaterComing Soon
🏛80.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.7
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 Copiah County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Escambia County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $44,447
Madison County
Alabama
68.2
Median income: $83,528
Cross County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,012
Poinsett County
Arkansas
68.2
Median income: $47,188
Morgan County
Colorado
68.2
Median income: $75,407

Deep Dives

Copiah County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Copiah County

via TaxByCounty

Copiah's rate: close to national average

Copiah County's effective tax rate of 0.789% sits just above the national median of 0.88%, making it nearly aligned with typical U.S. property tax burdens. A median property tax of $833 remains only 31% of the national median of $2,690, underscoring Mississippi's overall affordability despite Copiah's higher-than-state-average rates.

Above Mississippi's state average

At 0.789%, Copiah County's effective rate exceeds Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, placing it among the more heavily taxed counties within the state. Its median tax bill of $833 is above the state median of $931, indicating stronger-than-average tax expectations for homeowners.

Copiah ranks second-highest in regional taxes

Copiah's 0.789% rate trails only Coahoma (1.240%) among these eight counties, exceeding Chickasaw (0.743%), Clay (0.689%), Covington (0.693%), Claiborne (0.582%), Clarke (0.499%), and Choctaw (0.452%). It appeals to those willing to accept higher taxes for other county benefits.

Median home: $105,600 costs $833 yearly

A Copiah County homeowner with the county's median property value of $105,600 pays approximately $833 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow adds roughly $1,168 per year; without, the tax obligation alone is $573.

Challenge your assessment if it seems steep

Copiah homeowners, especially those in higher-tax areas of the county, should verify that their assessed values match comparable properties. Filing an appeal is free and could reduce your above-average tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Copiah County

via CostByCounty

Copiah offers solid affordable-housing ground

With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.1%, Copiah County sits well below Mississippi's 19.6% state average and represents one of the region's better housing values. The $47,994 median household income combined with $682 median rent creates a genuinely workable equation for residents.

Upper tier for Mississippi affordability

Copiah County's 17.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among the more affordable counties statewide, trailing only Choctaw and Covington in this comparison group. This positions it as a genuine bright spot for budget-conscious Mississippians.

Competitive rents, solid income levels

Copiah's $682 median rent is the second-lowest in the region (behind Covington's $639), yet its $47,994 median income exceeds most neighbors, creating favorable affordability dynamics. Homeowners also benefit from the low $502 monthly cost.

Balanced burden across renter and owner

Renters spend 17.1% of the $47,994 income on $682 rent, while homeowners spend just 12.6% on $502 monthly costs—both figures well below state and regional norms. This dual affordability creates flexibility for residents.

Copiah delivers affordable living stability

If you're relocating to Mississippi seeking genuine affordability without severe income constraints, Copiah County ranks among the safest bets. Compare its balanced renter-and-owner costs against similar Choctaw and Covington counties to finalize your decision.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Copiah County

via IncomeByCounty

Copiah below national but stable

Copiah County's median household income of $47,994 falls 36% short of the national median of $74,755, typical for rural Mississippi. The county's per capita income of $28,574 exceeds the state average, signaling more equitable wealth distribution.

Slightly below Mississippi median

Copiah's $47,994 median household income sits just below Mississippi's state average of $48,514, placing it near the middle of the state's 82 counties. The county maintains relative stability within state rankings.

Competitive within regional context

Copiah ($47,994) matches or exceeds most neighboring counties, including Chickasaw ($43,041), Clarke ($46,054), and Covington ($47,001). Only Choctaw ($48,321) slightly edges ahead in this comparison.

Affordable housing supports stability

Copiah's rent-to-income ratio of 17.1% is among the region's best, keeping housing costs well below the 30% affordability threshold. At $47,994 median household income, residents have more flexibility for savings and planning.

Capitalize on affordability advantage

Copiah residents earning $47,994 should leverage low housing costs to build emergency funds and retirement savings. The region's affordability creates opportunity for intentional wealth-building through disciplined financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Copiah County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below national average

Copiah County's life expectancy of 70.7 years falls just short of Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years and lags the U.S. average of 78.9 years by over 8 years. About 24% of adults report poor or fair health, below the state median but indicating ongoing chronic disease challenges.

Performing near state health average

Copiah County's 70.7-year life expectancy sits just below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties. The county performs near the state median for health outcomes.

Moderate outcomes with limited primary care

Copiah County's life expectancy exceeds Coahoma County (65.3 years) and Claiborne County (68.6 years) but trails Choctaw County (73.8 years) and Clay County (72.5 years). Primary care access at just 25 per 100K ranks among the lowest in this peer group, potentially limiting preventive care.

Below-average uninsured rate, limited primary care

Copiah County's uninsured rate of 12.9% falls below the state average of 13.9%, suggesting good overall coverage rates among residents. However, with only 25 primary care providers per 100,000 people, geographic barriers or provider shortages may still impede access to routine preventive and chronic disease management.

Maintain continuous health coverage

Copiah County residents benefit from relatively strong health insurance rates, but staying continuously covered is critical for managing chronic diseases. If your coverage lapses or you're uninsured, reach out to Mississippi Medicaid or visit healthcare.gov to prevent gaps in care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Copiah County

via RiskByCounty

Copiah County Well Above National Risk

Copiah County scores 61.29 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating but sitting 20% above the national average. Central Mississippi residents face significantly elevated natural disaster exposure compared to typical American counties.

Among Mississippi's Higher-Risk Counties

Copiah County ranks in the upper third of Mississippi's 82 counties for overall disaster risk, with a composite score 20% above the state average of 50.94. Only the most hazard-prone counties in Mississippi exceed Copiah's exposure level.

Riskier Than Most Regional Counties

Copiah County's 61.29 score exceeds nearby Claiborne (24.75) and Clarke (36.04) counties substantially. It compares closely to Coahoma County (62.50), another high-risk area, and significantly exceeds Covington County (50.83) to the south, which sits near the state average.

Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Floods Threaten

Copiah residents face extraordinary tornado risk at 89.47—among Mississippi's highest—plus elevated hurricane (78.06) and flood (46.69) risks. Wildfire exposure at 49.55 rounds out a notably comprehensive hazard profile well above state norms.

Multi-Hazard Insurance Coverage Critical

Homeowners need comprehensive coverage addressing tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding, making this one of Mississippi's counties requiring the most robust insurance strategy. Separate flood insurance and tornado-resistant construction upgrades provide essential protection in this elevated-risk environment.

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.