Greene County

Mississippi · MS

#13 in Mississippi
70.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Greene County, Mississippi

Greene scores above typical American county

Greene County's composite score of 70.9 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in approximately the 42nd national percentile. This above-average livability reflects strong performance across affordability, taxation, and health dimensions.

Greene ranks above Mississippi average

With a score of 70.9, Greene County tops Mississippi's state average of 67.5, positioning it among the state's better-performing counties. This ranking reflects particularly strong value propositions on cost and tax fronts.

Affordability and community health excel

Greene County delivers exceptional affordability with a cost score of 86.5—median home values of just $94,200 and rent at $811/month—while maintaining a respectable health score of 63.0. The tax score of 79.4 (0.814% effective rate) keeps tax burdens manageable for residents.

Income generation remains a constraint

Greene's income score of 19.8 reflects median household earnings of $55,838, limiting wage-earning opportunities relative to national standards. This income level suggests the county may lack robust employment in higher-paying sectors.

Perfect for health-conscious, frugal residents

Greene County suits people prioritizing health access, affordable living, and low taxes without high income expectations—retirees, healthcare workers on modest salaries, or anyone valuing quality of life over wealth accumulation. The combination of affordability and health scores makes it ideal for those with existing income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax79.4Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth63SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.8Risk57.8WaterComing Soon
🏛79.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼19.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
63
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
57.8
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

Greene County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Greene County

via TaxByCounty

Greene's tax rate exceeds national median

Greene County's effective tax rate of 0.814% exceeds the national median of 0.76%, placing it in approximately the 60th percentile nationally. Despite the higher rate, median annual taxes of just $767 remain far below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.

Greene ranks above Mississippi average

At 0.814%, Greene County's effective tax rate exceeds Mississippi's 0.743% state average by roughly 10%. However, median annual taxes of $767 fall below the state median of $931, reflecting the county's lower home values.

Greene taxes higher than most neighbors

Greene County's 0.814% rate exceeds most neighbors: DeSoto (0.641%), Franklin (0.645%), George (0.646%), and Harrison (0.647%). Only Grenada County (1.010%) and Forrest (0.840%) impose higher rates.

Median Greene home costs $767 yearly

The median Greene County home valued at $94,200 generates $767 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,088, while those without mortgages pay $682.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Greene County homeowners can request an assessment review if their property is valued above comparable sales in the area. The appeal process is straightforward and often results in lower tax bills without professional help.

Cost of Living in Greene County

via CostByCounty

Lower income, but excellent rent ratios

Greene County's median household income of $55,838 trails the nation by 25%, yet its 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is the best in our sample and well below national expectations. At $811 monthly rent, Greene demonstrates that modest-income communities can still offer genuinely affordable housing.

Best rent-to-income ratio in the state

Greene County's 17.4% ratio tops all eight counties studied and substantially beats Mississippi's 19.6% state average, despite $811 rent running 4% above the state baseline. This is a county where housing costs remain truly manageable across income levels.

Lowest rent among peer counties

Greene's $811 monthly rent is lower than every other county in this analysis except Franklin ($706), and the county's 17.4% ratio suggests better balance than even Franklin's 18.6%. Greene proves that moderate rents pair well with moderate incomes to create genuine affordability.

Homeownership dramatically cheaper

Renters in Greene pay $811 monthly (17.4% of income) while homeowners pay just $482 (10.4% of income)—a $329 monthly gap that's the largest in the sample. For a $55,838 household, that difference unlocks real monthly savings and wealth-building potential.

Peak affordability for homebuyers

Greene County offers the best rent-to-income ratio and steepest ownership discount in our eight-county profile, making it ideal for relocators prioritizing homeownership. The $94,200 median home value and $482 monthly cost create a rare opportunity for below-median-income households to build equity affordably.

Income & Jobs in Greene County

via IncomeByCounty

Greene earns below national mark

Greene County's median household income of $55,838 trails the national median of $74,755 by 25%, illustrating the income challenge facing rural Mississippi counties. Despite this gap, the county performs comparatively better than many neighboring counties.

Stronger than state average

Greene County's $55,838 median household income exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514 by 15%, ranking it in the upper third of state counties. However, per capita income of $19,275 falls significantly below the state average of $27,136, suggesting income concentration.

Greene leads regional peers

Greene County's $55,838 income outpaces Franklin County ($45,618) and Grenada County ($47,998), making it one of the higher-earning counties in this analysis. Only Hancock and Harrison counties earn more in the regional comparison.

Lowest housing burden in group

Greene County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio at 17.4%, meaning renters spend well below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of just $94,200 make homeownership highly accessible for most households earning the county median.

Affordability unlocks savings potential

Greene County's exceptionally low housing costs create opportunities to prioritize retirement savings and investment accounts without household strain. Build an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of expenses, then direct housing savings toward long-term wealth accumulation.

Health in Greene County

via HealthByCounty

Greene County Lives Longer

At 74.7 years, Greene County tops the national life expectancy of 68.0 years by nearly 7 years. Though 22.3% report poor or fair health—slightly above the national rate—the county's longevity demonstrates strong population resilience.

Mississippi's Longevity Leader

Greene's 74.7-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Mississippi, exceeding the state average of 70.9 by nearly 4 years. Its 11.7% uninsured rate also beats the state average of 13.9%.

Greene Leads the Region

Greene's 74.7-year life expectancy surpasses all comparison counties, including Hancock (74.3), DeSoto (73.8), and Harrison (73.0). This rural county achieves remarkable health outcomes despite limited economic resources.

Low Provider Density, High Outcomes

Greene has just 7 primary care and 59 mental health providers per 100,000—very sparse for a rural area. Despite this scarcity, residents achieve exceptional longevity, suggesting strong community health practices and preventive care engagement.

Maintain Your Coverage Advantage

Greene's 11.7% uninsured rate is among the state's lowest. Keep momentum by renewing coverage annually at healthcare.gov and encouraging neighbors to enroll—strong population health requires universal access.

Disaster Risk in Greene County

via RiskByCounty

Greene County has low disaster risk overall

Greene County's composite risk score of 42.18 and very low rating place it well below the national average for natural hazard exposure. The county enjoys substantially reduced vulnerability across most major disaster types.

Below Mississippi's average risk level

At 42.18, Greene County scores below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, positioning it among the safer counties statewide. Residents experience meaningfully lower disaster exposure than the typical Mississippi county.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Greene County's 42.18 score exceeds only Franklin County's 17.33 in the immediate region but significantly trails Forrest County's 78.05 and George County's 57.95. The county occupies a safer zone compared to its neighbors.

Hurricane and wildfire pose modest risks

Greene County's highest-risk hazard is hurricane at 87.48, followed by wildfire at 73.28, both elevated but manageable threats. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all score well below state averages, limiting overall exposure.

Standard coverage with hurricane focus

Greene County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid baseline protection for most residents. Prioritize wind coverage given hurricane exposure, and periodically review policy limits to match current property values.

ByCounty Network

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