CountyScore

Covington County

Mississippi · MS

#27 in Mississippi
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Covington County, Mississippi

Covington Exceeds U.S. Livability Median

Covington County's composite score of 69.3 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 19 points, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. This reflects solid fundamentals across most dimensions of county livability.

Slightly Above State Average, Consistent Performer

Covington's score of 69.3 edges above Mississippi's state average of 67.5, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of this eight-county group. Its balanced profile reflects strength without standout excellence in any single area.

Balanced Affordability and Reasonable Income Levels

Covington offers a strong cost score of 88.5, with notably low monthly rent of $639 (lowest in the group) and moderate home values of $98,500. A median household income of $47,001 (income score: 14.1) places it in the upper tier, providing local earning potential above several peers.

Health and Risk Scores Need Improvement

Health outcomes (55.3) are modest relative to national standards, while a risk score of 49.2 indicates moderate resilience and safety concerns. The effective tax rate of 0.693% (tax score: 82.8) is reasonable but not the lowest among these counties.

Ideal for Families Seeking Affordability Plus Income

Covington County suits working families and young professionals seeking low housing costs combined with better-than-average local incomes for rural Mississippi. Households prioritizing healthcare access or disaster resilience should research community services and safety infrastructure more thoroughly before deciding.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.8Cost88.5SafetyComing SoonHealth55.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.1Risk49.2WaterComing Soon
🏛82.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.2
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 Covington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Covington County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Covington County

via CostByCounty

Covington delivers rare Mississippi bargain

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 16.3%, Covington County beats Mississippi's 19.6% state average and compares favorably to many national housing markets. The $47,001 median household income paired with the region's lowest median rent of $639/month creates the strongest affordability profile in this eight-county cohort.

Top affordability tier statewide

Covington County ranks among Mississippi's most affordable counties for renters, with its 16.3% ratio besting the state average by 3.3 percentage points. Only Choctaw and Copiah match or exceed this favorable position.

Cheapest rents, competitive incomes

Covington's median rent of $639 is the lowest in the eight-county region, undercutting even Choctaw by $22/month while maintaining comparable household income levels. This combination of low cost and reasonable earnings makes it a clear winner.

Renters and owners both thrive

Renters pay just $639/month (16.3% of the $47,001 income) while homeowners pay $566/month (14.4%), among the most favorable splits in the comparison group. Both paths leave substantial room in household budgets for other essentials.

Covington is Mississippi's sweet spot

If affordability and stability drive your relocation decision, Covington County offers the region's best combination of low rents, reasonable incomes, and balanced homeownership costs. Test your budget here as a benchmark against all other Mississippi options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Covington County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy significantly below U.S. average

Covington County's life expectancy of 68.9 years falls 10 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years and ranks among the lowest in this county group. About 24% of adults report poor or fair health, indicating moderate but persistent chronic disease burden affecting the community.

Below-average health among Mississippi counties

At 68.9 years, Covington County's life expectancy falls 2 years below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing it in the bottom third of Mississippi's 82 counties. The county faces significant health challenges compared to state norms.

Similar struggles to nearby rural counties

Covington County's life expectancy closely mirrors Claiborne County (68.6 years) and exceeds only Coahoma County (65.3 years) among peers. Primary care access at 44 per 100K provides moderate provider density, while mental health support at 122 per 100K exceeds some neighbors but trails county leaders like Clay County.

Below-average insurance coverage rates

Covington County's uninsured rate of 12.9% matches Copiah County and falls slightly below the state average of 13.9%, indicating reasonable insurance penetration. With 44 primary care providers per 100,000 people, the county provides moderate access to routine healthcare services.

Secure and maintain health coverage

Covington County residents should prioritize health insurance enrollment to access preventive care and manage chronic diseases effectively. If you're uninsured or between plans, visit healthcare.gov or contact Mississippi Medicaid to explore affordable coverage options designed for your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Covington County

via RiskByCounty

Covington County Near National Average

Covington County scores 50.83 on the composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting virtually at the national average. This south-central Mississippi county faces natural disaster exposure typical of American communities.

Right at Mississippi State Average

Covington County's composite score of 50.83 sits nearly identical to Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it squarely in the middle of the 82-county distribution. The county represents a typical risk profile for the state.

Riskier Than Inland Neighbors

Covington County's 50.83 score exceeds inland counties like Claiborne (24.75) and Clarke (36.04) but trails Copiah County (61.29) to the north. The county's elevated risk stems from exceptional hurricane exposure (87.78), the highest in its region.

Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Wildfires Lead

Covington residents face exceptional hurricane risk at 87.78—among Mississippi's highest—elevated tornado risk at 62.53, and notable wildfire exposure at 55.57. Flood risk at 42.24 adds to a diverse hazard profile reflecting coastal-influenced storms.

Hurricane and Wildfire Protection Essential

Homeowners should prioritize comprehensive hurricane coverage and consider wildfire insurance given Covington's elevated exposure to both hazards. Storm reinforcement—including roof straps and impact-resistant windows—provides critical protection against the county's dominant hurricane and tornado threats.

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.