CountyScore

Forrest County

Mississippi · MS

#65 in Mississippi
64.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Forrest County, Mississippi

Forrest exceeds national livability baseline

Forrest County's composite score of 64.5 significantly surpasses the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the 39th percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects a county that delivers solid livability for its residents across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Mississippi's county average

With a score of 64.5, Forrest ranks just below Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. The county holds competitive standing within Mississippi's livability profiles.

Affordability and low tax burden stand out

Forrest County shines with a cost score of 79.1, supported by genuinely affordable housing: median rent of just $960/month and median home values of $152,900. The tax score of 78.6 reflects an effective tax rate of 0.840%, keeping residents' dollars in their own pockets.

Income levels significantly lag statewide

The income score of 17.9 is Forrest's most pressing challenge, with median household income at just $52,821—well below both state and national norms. Health outcomes (60.6) and risk exposure (22.0) also suggest room for improvement in public health and economic resilience.

Ideal for budget-minded retirees and families

Forrest County is best suited for people prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes—retirees on fixed incomes, young families saving aggressively, or anyone seeking maximum housing purchasing power. The combination of cheap rent and homeownership costs makes it attractive for those with modest income but strong financial discipline.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.6Cost79.1SafetyComing SoonHealth60.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk22WaterComing Soon
🏛78.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22
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 Forrest County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Gila County
Arizona
64.5
Median income: $59,089
Washington County
Arkansas
64.5
Median income: $66,426
Del Norte County
California
64.5
Median income: $66,780
Elkhart County
Indiana
64.5
Median income: $65,617
Dallas County
Iowa
64.5
Median income: $102,349

Deep Dives

Forrest County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Forrest County

via TaxByCounty

Forrest's tax rate exceeds national median

Forrest County's effective tax rate of 0.840% ranks above the national median of 0.76%, placing it in approximately the 65th percentile nationally. Despite the higher rate, median annual taxes of $1,284 remain well below the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower home values.

Forrest County ranks in state's upper tier

At 0.840%, Forrest's effective tax rate exceeds Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, making it one of the higher-taxing counties in the state. Residents pay roughly 37% more in taxes than the state median of $931.

Forrest taxes higher than most neighbors

Forrest County's 0.840% rate surpasses most regional neighbors: DeSoto (0.641%), Franklin (0.645%), George (0.646%), and Harrison (0.647%). Only Grenada (1.010%) and Greene (0.814%) approach Forrest's tax burden.

Median Forrest home costs $1,284 yearly

The median Forrest home valued at $152,900 generates $1,284 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes rise to $1,616; without one, they drop to $863.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Property assessments in Forrest County sometimes exceed true market value. Homeowners who believe their assessment is too high can request a formal appeal with evidence from comparable sales—a process that frequently results in tax reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Forrest County

via CostByCounty

Below-average income, above-average rent burden

Forrest County's median household income of $52,821 trails the national average by 29%, yet renters dedicate 21.8% of income to rent—well above the national comfort zone. This squeeze means housing costs consume more of household budgets here than they do nationally, leaving less for savings and other needs.

Among Mississippi's most strained renters

Forrest County ranks near the bottom of Mississippi for rental affordability, with a 21.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 19.6%. At $960 monthly rent, the county charges 23% more than the state average of $782, despite having below-state-average incomes.

Pricey for a lower-income area

Forrest's $960 rent sits between George County ($868) and Harrison County ($1,074), but Forrest's $52,821 income is lower than both neighbors. This mismatch—higher housing costs paired with lower wages—makes Forrest one of the region's tightest affordability pinches.

Renters stretch further than buyers

Renters in Forrest pay $960 monthly (21.8% of income) while homeowners pay just $784 (17.8% of income), a gap suggesting ownership offers more breathing room. For a household earning $52,821, that $176 monthly difference compounds into real financial relief over time.

Consider homeownership if you're relocating

Forrest County's steep rent-to-income ratio makes it a tougher market for renters, but homeownership becomes more attractive given the lower ownership costs. If you're considering a move here, prioritize finding a home purchase path—the $152,900 median home value and $784 monthly owner cost offer better long-term affordability than renting.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Forrest County

via IncomeByCounty

Forrest trails national average

Forrest County's median household income of $52,821 falls 29% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting regional economic challenges. However, the county still represents a mid-tier earner within Mississippi's income spectrum.

Middle-income standing in state

Forrest County's $52,821 median household income sits 9% above Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, placing it in the middle tier of state counties. Per capita income of $29,525 also exceeds the state average of $27,136, suggesting relatively balanced income distribution.

Forrest holds its own regionally

Forrest County earns $52,821 compared to Harrison County's $57,233 and Greene County's $55,838, positioning it solidly within the regional middle class. The county's income profile reflects its role as a modest economic hub in south-central Mississippi.

Housing requires careful budgeting

Forrest's rent-to-income ratio of 21.8% pushes toward the affordability ceiling, meaning renters allocate more than one-fifth of income to housing costs. Median home values of $152,900 remain within reach for median-income households, though homeownership requires disciplined saving.

Strategic planning pays dividends

Forrest County households can build wealth through intentional budgeting that prioritizes saving despite moderate incomes and housing pressures. Focus on reducing debt, automating retirement contributions, and taking advantage of employer matching programs to grow long-term assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Forrest County

via HealthByCounty

Forrest's Health Gap

At 71.4 years, Forrest County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average by 3.4 years, and 21.7% of residents report poor or fair health compared to the national rate of 21.3%. The county hovers near national averages but slightly behind.

Middle of Mississippi's Pack

Forrest's 71.4-year life expectancy is above Mississippi's 70.9-year state average, putting it in the state's healthier half. Its 11.9% uninsured rate beats the state average of 13.9%, suggesting reasonable access to coverage.

Forrest's Provider Strength

Forrest boasts 87 primary care providers per 100,000—the highest concentration among Mississippi counties in this analysis. Its 526 mental health providers per 100K far exceed neighboring counties, making Forrest a regional healthcare hub.

A Healthcare Hub for the Region

With 87 primary care and 526 mental health providers per 100K, Forrest County residents enjoy exceptional healthcare access compared to rural counterparts. This density reflects the presence of larger medical institutions and urban infrastructure that concentrate providers here.

Explore Coverage Options Now

Though 11.9% of Forrest residents remain uninsured, the county's robust provider network means affordable care is within reach. Check healthcare.gov or contact local Medicaid offices to find plans that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Forrest County

via RiskByCounty

Forrest County carries moderate national risk

Forrest County's composite risk score of 78.05 and relatively low rating place it above the national average but still within moderate ranges. This profile reflects mixed hazard exposure, with particular strength in some disaster types and lower vulnerability in others.

Above-average risk for Mississippi

At 78.05, Forrest County scores notably higher than Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the upper half of the state's risk distribution. Residents face meaningfully greater disaster exposure than the typical Mississippi county.

Riskier than Franklin, comparable to regional peers

Forrest County's 78.05 score substantially exceeds Franklin County's 17.33 to the west, but closely matches George County's 57.95 nearby. The county represents a moderate-to-higher risk zone within its region.

Hurricanes and wildfires are top threats

Forrest County's hurricane risk score of 90.40 and wildfire risk of 81.71 represent its two dominant hazards, both significantly above regional norms. Tornado risk at 92.65 rounds out a trio of serious weather threats requiring proactive preparation.

Bundle hurricane and wildfire protections

Forrest County homeowners should prioritize comprehensive coverage for wind, fire, and water damage given the county's hurricane and wildfire exposure. Document your home's condition, maintain defensible landscaping space, and ensure your policy limits reflect local construction costs.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.