countyscore
41.7
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 68.9Cost of Living 61.7

County Report Card

About George County, Mississippi

Livability Lags Slightly Behind National Median

George County earns a composite score of 40.5, which is roughly 10 points below the national median of 50.0. While it offers regional benefits, it faces gaps in health and safety compared to the national average.

Narrowing the Gap with State Averages

The county's 40.5 score is approaching the Mississippi state average of 48.4. While it isn't the top performer in the state, it maintains a competitive position through its natural resources and tax structure.

Elite Water Quality and Tax Advantages

The county excels in water quality with a score of 86.0 and maintains a strong tax score of 69.0. An effective tax rate of 0.646% helps residents keep more of their $54,822 median household income.

Room to Improve Safety and Health

Safety and health are the primary challenges, with scores of 14.8 and 19.3 respectively. These figures suggest that public services and healthcare availability are currently lagging behind other dimensions.

Ideal for Outdoor Enthusiasts on a Budget

George County is a great fit for those who value clean water, low taxes, and a rural pace of life. It suits families who are comfortable with local service levels in exchange for significant tax savings.

2040608010068.961.714.819.341.633.142.18634.6Tax68.9Cost61.7Safety14.8Health19.3Schools41.6Income33.1Risk42.1Water86Weather34.641.7/100
This county
National avg
3 above average5 below average

George County DNA

Foverall

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

George County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (14.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
68.9+16.900000000000006
Cost
61.7+13.700000000000003
Safety
14.8-40.2
Health
19.3-30.7
Schools
41.6-12.399999999999999
Income
33.1-17.9
Risk
42.1
Water
86+28
Weather
34.6-21.4
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$166,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$844/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$166,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,758/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Stone County
Mississippi
36.2
Perry County
Mississippi
61
Greene County
Mississippi
54.6
Jackson County
Mississippi
38.6
Mobile County
Alabama
33
Harrison County
Mississippi
29.6
Forrest County
Mississippi
30.2
Washington County
Alabama
65.1

Deep Dives

George County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in George County

via TaxByCounty

George County taxes rank below national

George County's effective tax rate of 0.646% sits below the national median of 0.76%, placing it in approximately the 35th percentile nationally. Annual median taxes of $1,086 represent just 40% of the national median of $2,690.

George ranks low among Mississippi counties

At 0.646%, George County's effective tax rate is slightly below Mississippi's 0.743% state average, making it one of the state's more affordable counties. Residents pay roughly 17% less than the state's median tax of $931.

George among region's lowest-tax counties

George County ties DeSoto and Franklin for the region's lowest effective rates at approximately 0.646%. Grenada County residents pay nearly 57% more in tax rates, while Harrison residents pay slightly more.

Median George home costs $1,086 yearly

The median George County home valued at $168,100 generates $1,086 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes reach $1,270; without one, they drop to $738.

Review your assessment for overvaluation

George County homeowners should compare their assessed value to recent sales of similar properties in the area. If your assessment appears high, you can file an appeal with the county assessor—many successful appeals result in significant annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in George County

via IncomeByCounty

George County income lags nationally

George County's median household income of $54,822 falls 27% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting a persistent earnings gap. The county's income profile typical of rural Mississippi counties facing structural economic challenges.

Slightly above Mississippi average

George County's $54,822 median household income exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514 by 13%, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Per capita income of $26,798 runs slightly below the state average of $27,136.

George competitive within region

George County's $54,822 income sits between Greene County ($55,838) and Harrison County ($57,233), anchoring it in the regional middle tier. The county's proximity to coastal development provides modest economic advantages over more isolated counties.

Housing costs stay balanced

George County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% falls comfortably within the affordability range, with renters spending less than one-fifth of household income on housing. Median home values of $168,100 require discipline but remain achievable for median-income households.

Steady income enables compound growth

George County households benefit from stable, moderately affordable housing to direct surplus income toward investments and retirement accounts. Utilizing low-cost index funds and consistent contributions—even $100 monthly—builds substantial wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in George County

via CrimeByCounty

National Safety Benchmarks for George

George County holds a safety score of 96.2, reflecting a total crime rate of 2,403.6 per 100,000 residents. This rate sits just slightly above the national average of 2,385.5.

George County's State Safety Rank

The county's safety score is currently lower than the Mississippi state average of 98.4. Two reporting agencies monitor local trends to address the needs of the community.

Comparing Rates to Neighbors

George County's crime rate of 2,403.6 is over double the state average of 978.4. Local residents experience more activity than many of their more rural neighbors.

Breaking Down Local Incidents

Property crime is the primary driver of local statistics at 2,024.7 per 100,000 people. Violent crime, at 378.9, is roughly on par with the national average of 369.8.

Home Security for George Residents

Securing outbuildings and vehicles is vital given the property crime figures in the area. Motion sensors and visible security cameras can help deter potential trespassers.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in George County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic and Sandy Profile

George County features a pH of 4.99, which is considerably more acidic than the national 6.5 median. This level falls below the state average of 5.30, defining the county's unique chemical landscape.

Sand-Dominant Composition

With a high sand content of 63.7%, the soil is gritty and offers excellent drainage. Silt contributes 25.3% while clay is very low at 9.2%, resulting in a soil that is easy to move but low in natural cohesion.

High Organic Matter, Low Water

Organic matter is impressive at 2.69%, far surpassing the national 2.0% average. However, the sandy nature keeps available water capacity at 0.130 in/in, which is below the state average and requires frequent watering.

Fast Water Movement

Limited data exists for taxonomic and drainage classifications in this region. Given the sand-heavy profile, water likely moves through the soil very quickly, making it ideal for structures but challenging for thirsty crops.

Coastal Plain Crops

George County sits in Hardiness Zone 8b, providing a warm climate for gardening. The well-drained, sandy soil is perfect for root vegetables and pines that thrive in the piney woods of south Mississippi.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in George County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Difficulty in George County

George County presents one of the toughest lawn environments in the state with a difficulty score of 18.8. This low score suggests that standard maintenance routines may not be enough to keep a lawn healthy in Zone 8b.

Managing High Moisture and Humidity

While specific temperature records are limited, the regional trend suggests high humidity and frequent summer storms. Successful growers must focus on humidity-tolerant grass species that can survive southern Mississippi's intense climate.

Sandy Soils Require Extra Care

The soil is 63.7% sand with a pH of 4.99, creating a fast-draining, acidic environment that struggles to hold nutrients. You will need to supplement your lawn with lime and frequent, light fertilization to support growth.

Surviving Long Seasonal Droughts

The county endured 30 weeks of drought over the past year, and the entire area is currently abnormally dry. To protect your lawn, avoid mowing too short during dry spells, as taller grass shades the soil and reduces evaporation.

Start Growing in Zone 8b

Bahiagrass is an excellent choice for George County because it tolerates sandy, acidic soils better than most species. Start your lawn projects in late spring once the soil warms up to ensure fast root establishment.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is George County's county score?
George County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 41.7 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 George County rank among counties in Mississippi?
George County ranks #65 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 George County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in George County is $1,044, with an effective tax rate of 0.63%. This earns George County a tax score of 68.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in George County?
The median household income in George County, Mississippi is $59,758 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. George County earns an income score of 33.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is George County, Mississippi a good place to live?
George County scores 41.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #65 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate George 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 George County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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