countyscore

Covington County, Mississippi — County Report Card

MS

#36 in Mississippi
48.4
County Score
Cost of Living 90.5Property Tax 73.5Disaster Risk 49.2

County Report Card

About Covington County, Mississippi

Just Under National Midpoint

Covington County records a composite score of 47.2, slightly under the national median of 50.0. While it trails the national middle, it remains within reach of average performance across many categories.

Consistent with State Performance

The county is just below the Mississippi state average of 48.4. It offers a typical Mississippi lifestyle with very high marks in housing affordability.

Prime Affordability and Low Rents

Cost is the county's primary advantage, scoring 90.7 with median rents at only $639. The Tax Score of 64.0 also helps keep overall monthly overhead low for local property owners.

Economic and Safety Improvements

Income and health scores of 9.5 and 15.9 reflect regional struggles with development and medical access. The Safety Score of 44.7 suggests there is room for community security enhancements.

The Verdict: Practical Living for Commuters

Covington is best for those looking to minimize their monthly expenses. It appeals to workers in the region who want to maximize their take-home pay by living where housing and rent are most affordable.

2040608010073.590.544.715.920.65.849.246.839.9Tax73.5Cost90.5Safety44.7Health15.9Schools20.6Income5.8Risk49.2Water46.8Weather39.948.4/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

Covington County DNA

Foverall

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

Covington County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (90.5/100) but notably weak in Income (5.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
73.5+21.5
Cost
90.5+42.5
Safety
44.7-10.299999999999997
Health
15.9-34.1
Schools
20.6-33.4
Income
5.8-45.2
Risk
49.2
Water
46.8-11.200000000000003
Weather
39.9-16.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Covington County?

Many homeowners in Covington 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

$105,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$662/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$105,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$26,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $45,051/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

54.9

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Covington County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Covington County

via TaxByCounty

Covington's rate: moderately below national median

Covington County's effective tax rate of 0.693% falls comfortably below the national median of 0.88%, placing the county in the bottom third nationally for tax burden. A median property tax of $683 represents just 25% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Mississippi's continued affordability advantage.

Slightly below Mississippi's state average

At 0.693%, Covington County's effective rate sits just below Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, making it a modestly affordable option within the state. Its median tax bill of $683 falls well below the state median of $931, positioning Covington as a reasonable choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

Covington ranks middle-lower in the region

Covington's 0.693% rate beats Chickasaw (0.743%), Clay (0.689%), and Coahoma (1.240%) but trails Choctaw (0.452%), Clarke (0.499%), and Claiborne (0.582%). It represents a solid, middle-of-the-pack position for tax predictability in this eight-county area.

Median home: $98,500 costs $683 yearly

A Covington County homeowner with the county's median property value of $98,500 pays approximately $683 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, escrow accounts for roughly $1,178 per year; without, the direct tax bill is $389.

Review your assessment for potential overages

Covington homeowners should verify that their assessed values align with recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. A free assessment appeal could confirm whether you're paying a fair share or overpaying relative to similar properties.

Income & Jobs in Covington County

via IncomeByCounty

Covington earns below U.S. average

Covington County's median household income of $47,001 is 37% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting Mississippi's broader rural income challenges. Despite this gap, Covington performs better than many comparable rural counties nationwide.

Slightly below state average income

Covington's $47,001 median household income trails Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $1,513, placing it just below the statewide midpoint. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties.

Competitive among nearby counties

Covington ($47,001) holds steady relative to peers, matching Copiah ($47,994) and Clarke ($46,054), while exceeding Chickasaw ($43,041), Coahoma ($36,259), and Claiborne ($34,371). Covington ranks near the region's economic middle.

Best housing affordability ratio

Covington's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% ranks among the region's lowest, keeping housing affordable and freeing income for other priorities. At $47,001 median household income, residents enjoy relatively good financial breathing room.

Build on economic foundation

Covington residents earning $47,001 should take advantage of affordable housing to establish robust savings and retirement contributions. Financial stability here provides a solid platform for wealth accumulation and long-term planning.

Safety in Covington County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Standing in Covington County

Covington County holds a safety score of 98.1, which is quite strong nationally. Its total crime rate of 1,233.4 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Near the Mississippi Average

The county's safety score of 98.1 is just slightly below the Mississippi state average of 98.4. Four reporting agencies provide a comprehensive look at local safety trends.

Comparing Rates to Neighbors

Covington’s crime rate of 1,233.4 is higher than Claiborne County’s 751.9. However, it remains safer than many other developed areas in the state.

Property Crime is the Main Factor

The property crime rate stands at 1,107.9, which is the primary driver of local statistics. The violent crime rate is much lower at 125.5, which is well below the national 369.8.

Protect Your Property

Since property crime is the most common issue, consider marking valuables and using deadbolt locks. Awareness of surroundings can prevent many common theft incidents.

Weather & Climate in Covington County

via WeatherByCounty

Intense subtropical heat in the south

Covington County averages 66.0°F, placing it well above the national median temperature of 54°F. It receives 59.1 inches of rain annually, creating a humid and lush environment.

Among the state's warmest regions

Covington is notably warmer than the Mississippi state average of 63.9°F. It ranks as one of the warmest counties in the southern part of the state.

Wetter and warmer than northern peers

Its 66.0°F average is warmer than Copiah's 65.6°F, though it faces fewer extreme heat days at 70. The rainfall of 59.1 inches is very close to the state average of 59.6 inches.

Sweltering summers and very mild winters

The July average is 82.3°F with 70 days of extreme heat, while January remains mild at 47.9°F. Snow is a rare event, with an annual average of only 0.2 inches.

Focus on cooling and light layers

Reliable air conditioning is essential to manage 70 days of 90-degree temperatures. Heavy winter gear is rarely needed as winter averages stay above 50°F.

Soil Quality in Covington County

via SoilByCounty

Strongly Acidic Covington Soil

Covington County has a highly acidic soil pH of 5.04, which is lower than the Mississippi average of 5.30. This measurement is well below the national median of 6.5, suggesting a need for acid-tolerant plantings.

Sandy-Silt Mix with Low Clay

The soil is a mix of 47.8% sand and 40.0% silt, making for a light and loose texture. With only 12.2% clay, the soil is very easy to work but doesn't hold nutrients as well as heavier soils.

Trailing State Soil Averages

Organic matter content stands at 1.66%, slightly below the state's 1.81% average. The available water capacity of 0.166 in/in also trails the state average, meaning the soil dries out faster than in other counties.

Rapid Drainage and Low Retention

The soil score of 26.4 reflects the challenges of farming in this acidic, sandy profile compared to the state average of 35.7. Without specific drainage class data, the high sand percentage suggests water moves through the earth quickly.

Acid-Loving Plants in Zone 8b

In hardiness zone 8b, blueberries and blackberries love this county’s acidic, well-drained soil. Start your berry patch today and enjoy the benefits of this fast-draining earth.

Lawn Care in Covington County

via LawnByCounty

Covington's Southern Lawn Challenges

Covington County earns a lawn difficulty score of 32.1, making it slightly easier than the state average but still a challenge. Located in Zone 8b, your lawn must endure intense heat and humidity compared to the rest of the nation.

High Humidity and Growing Cycles

The county receives 59.1 inches of rain and 70 extreme heat days, typical of a high-stress Mississippi climate. With 6,289 growing degree days, the growing season is long and fast-paced, requiring diligent mowing and care.

The Need for Soil Amendments

The soil pH is very low at 5.04, which can severely lock up nutrients and stunt your lawn's growth. Because the soil is nearly 48% sand, you will need to add lime and organic matter to help the ground hold onto water and food.

Unusually Stable Moisture Conditions

Covington is currently free of any drought designations and recorded only one week of drought over the past year. This makes it one of the most moisture-stable counties in the state for the current season.

Getting Started in Covington

Centipedegrass and Bermudagrass are your best bets for these acidic, sandy soils. Plan your planting after the March 17th frost to give the grass plenty of time to establish before the first frost in mid-November.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Covington County's county score?
Covington County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 48.4 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 Covington County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Covington County ranks #36 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 Covington County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Covington County is $619, with an effective tax rate of 0.59%. This earns Covington County a tax score of 73.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Covington County?
The median household income in Covington County, Mississippi is $45,051 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Covington County earns an income score of 5.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Covington County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Covington County scores 48.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #36 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Covington 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 Covington 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.