George County

Mississippi · MS

#39 in Mississippi
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About George County, Mississippi

George ranks at state's livability midpoint

George County scores 67.9, meaningfully above the national median of 50.0 and positioning it near the 36th national percentile. This solid performance reflects a county that consistently meets or exceeds expectations across most livability measures.

Matches Mississippi's overall standard

George County's 67.9 score essentially mirrors Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it squarely within the mainstream of the state's county performance. It represents typical livability for Mississippi residents seeking balance across multiple factors.

Low taxes and solid housing affordability

George County excels with a tax score of 84.1 (0.646% effective rate) and a cost score of 82.1, supported by median home values of $168,100 and rent of $868/month. These figures place George among the state's most tax-efficient and affordable communities.

Income levels lag, health care needs attention

The income score of 19.2 reflects median household earnings of just $54,822, trailing what county tax and cost metrics might suggest residents can afford. Health outcomes (57.6) also indicate room for expanded medical services and wellness infrastructure.

Suits families valuing stability over growth

George County appeals to families and retirees seeking a balanced, no-surprises lifestyle: affordable housing, low taxes, and stable communities without high income pressure. It's ideal for those wanting small-town living with reasonable cost structure and moderate amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.1Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth57.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.2Risk42.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
57.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
42.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

George County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Cost of Living in George County

via CostByCounty

Below-average income, reasonable rent burden

George County's median household income of $54,822 falls 27% short of the national average, but its 19.0% rent-to-income ratio stays remarkably close to national norms. This balance suggests George offers more affordable housing relative to earnings than many higher-income areas struggle to find.

Better affordability than state average

With a 19.0% rent-to-income ratio, George County outperforms the state average of 19.6%, despite median rent of $868 running 11% above the $782 state average. The county manages this feat through stable, modest incomes that align reasonably well with local housing costs.

Middle ground among peer counties

George's $868 rent and $54,822 income place it squarely between lower-cost Franklin ($706 rent) and higher-cost Harrison ($1,074 rent). The county offers a stable middle option for those seeking both accessibility and slightly more developed housing markets.

Ownership costs slightly exceed renting

Renters pay $868 monthly (19.0% of income) while homeowners pay $703 (15.4% of income), giving owner-occupants a meaningful affordability edge. At a median home value of $168,100, George's housing stock sits between Franklin's most affordable and Harrison's pricier markets.

Balanced affordability for relocators

George County splits the difference: not as cheap as Franklin, not as pricey as DeSoto or Harrison, with rent-to-income ratios that beat the state average. If you're moving to Mississippi and want moderate housing costs paired with reasonable income expectations, George's stability makes it worth serious consideration.

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.

Health in George County

via HealthByCounty

George County Lags Nationally

At 70.4 years, George County's life expectancy falls 2.4 years short of the U.S. average of 68.0 years, and 22.0% report poor or fair health versus the national 21.3%. The county trails on both key health indicators.

Below Mississippi's Average

George's 70.4-year life expectancy falls below Mississippi's 70.9-year state average, and its 13.8% uninsured rate matches the state baseline. This is a struggling county by state standards.

George Among the Weakest

George's 70.4-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in this analysis, trailing DeSoto (73.8), Hancock (74.3), and Greene (74.7) by 3-4 years. Its 22.0% poor/fair health rate reflects chronic disease burdens across the population.

Modest Healthcare Infrastructure

George County has 44 primary care and 55 mental health providers per 100,000—adequate but not robust compared to urban counties. Residents face moderate waits for appointments and limited specialty care options.

Take Action on Coverage

With 13.8% uninsured, George residents should prioritize securing coverage to manage preventive care and chronic conditions. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore options available in your county.

Disaster Risk in George County

via RiskByCounty

George County faces moderate disaster risk

George County's composite risk score of 57.95 and relatively low rating position it near national averages for natural hazard exposure. The county experiences mixed vulnerability across different disaster types, with some hazards presenting greater concern than others.

Slightly above Mississippi's average risk

George County's score of 57.95 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the mid-to-upper range of the state's risk distribution. Residents face moderately elevated exposure compared to the typical Mississippi county.

Riskier than nearby Franklin County

George County's 57.95 score substantially exceeds Franklin County's 17.33 to the west but aligns closely with Grenada County's 55.41 to the northwest. The county occupies a moderate-risk zone within its broader region.

Hurricanes and wildfires lead the threats

George County faces exceptional hurricane risk at 92.66 and notable wildfire risk at 75.57, reflecting its southeastern location and landscape conditions. Tornado risk at 49.55 presents lower but still measurable concern for residents.

Hurricane protection is your priority

Given George County's dominant hurricane exposure, ensure your policy includes comprehensive wind and water damage coverage with adequate limits. Secure outdoor structures, trim vegetation near your home, and keep emergency supplies ready during hurricane season.

ByCounty Network

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