CountyScore

Hinds County

Mississippi · MS

#82 in Mississippi
59.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Hinds County, Mississippi

Above average on the national stage

Hinds County scores 59.8 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This ranks the county in the top 40% nationally, indicating solid livability fundamentals compared to most U.S. counties.

Slightly below Mississippi average

With a score of 59.8, Hinds ranks slightly below Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 82 counties. The county holds strong relative to many peers but lags behind the state's strongest performers.

Tax and cost advantages shine

Hinds County excels in tax efficiency (76.4) with an effective tax rate of just 0.919%, and offers affordable housing (76.1) with a median home value of $151,200. These two dimensions represent the county's most competitive advantages for cost-conscious families.

Income and risk need attention

The county's income score of 16.0 reflects a median household income of $49,966—roughly 20% below the state average—while a risk score of just 5.7 signals elevated environmental or economic vulnerabilities. These gaps highlight the main headwinds for long-term prosperity.

Best for budget-minded, established residents

Hinds County suits families prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages or rapid income growth. Those seeking stability in a mid-tier livability environment with manageable housing costs will find it appealing, though potential residents should weigh income prospects carefully.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.4Cost76.1SafetyComing SoonHealth54.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome16Risk5.7WaterComing Soon
🏛76.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠76.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡5.7
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 Hinds County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dillingham Census Area
Alaska
59.8
Median income: $74,250
Denver County
Colorado
59.8
Median income: $91,681
Orleans Parish
Louisiana
59.8
Median income: $55,339
Ontario County
New York
59.8
Median income: $79,814
Clackamas County
Oregon
59.8
Median income: $100,360

Deep Dives

Hinds County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hinds County

via TaxByCounty

Hinds taxes run lower than nation

Hinds County's effective tax rate of 0.919% sits well below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax here is $1,389, nearly half the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and a more modest tax burden.

Above average among Mississippi counties

Hinds County ranks near the top third in Mississippi for effective tax rates, at 0.919% compared to the state average of 0.743%. This means Hinds homeowners pay slightly more in taxes relative to property value than typical Mississippi residents do.

Higher rates than Jackson County neighbors

Hinds County's 0.919% rate exceeds Jackson County's 0.733%, though both are in the mid-range statewide. The median property tax in Hinds ($1,389) is about 4% higher than Jackson's ($1,332), despite Hinds having lower median home values.

Median homeowner pays $1,389 annually

On Hinds County's median home value of $151,200, an owner pays roughly $1,389 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the figure rises to about $1,602 annually when factoring in escrow.

Many Hinds homeowners can appeal assessments

If your assessed value seems too high relative to recent sales, you have the right to challenge it through the county assessor's office. Homeowners who successfully appeal overassessments can reduce their annual tax bill by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hinds County

via CostByCounty

Hinds rents strain local budgets

At 24.8%, Hinds County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national benchmark of roughly 30% affordability but still runs 5.2 percentage points above Mississippi's state average of 19.6%. With median rent at $1,032 monthly against a median income of $49,966 annually, renters here are spending a larger share of earnings on housing than most state peers.

Hinds ranks among state's pricier counties

Hinds County sits in the upper tier for housing costs statewide, with median rent of $1,032 running 32% above the Mississippi average of $782. This combination of high rent and moderate income—$49,966, still 33% below the national median—places affordability pressure on local renters and buyers alike.

Jackson County costs more, Holmes less

Hinds's $1,032 median rent falls between neighboring Jackson County ($1,087) and the more affordable Holmes County ($589). However, Hinds's median household income of $49,966 trails Jackson County ($64,756) by roughly $15,000, making relative affordability tighter despite slightly lower rents.

Housing eats 25% of Hinds income

Renters in Hinds spend $1,032 monthly while homeowners face $891 in mortgage payments, with median home value at $151,200. On a median household income of $49,966 annually, rent alone consumes nearly 25% of gross income—above the traditional 30% affordability threshold and well above state norms.

Weigh Hinds against Jackson, Holmes

If you're considering Hinds County, compare it strategically: Jackson County offers higher incomes and stronger job markets but significantly steeper housing costs, while Holmes County provides cheaper rents at the cost of lower wages. Your affordability sweet spot depends on whether higher earning potential or lower housing costs matters more to your household budget.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hinds County

via IncomeByCounty

Hinds Falls Short of National Income

Hinds County's median household income of $49,966 sits 33% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting regional economic challenges. This gap means the typical household here earns roughly $25,000 less annually than their national counterpart.

Above Average Within Mississippi

At $49,966, Hinds County exceeds Mississippi's state median of $48,514 by 3%, ranking it in the upper-middle tier statewide. This modest edge reflects Hinds' position as home to Jackson, the state capital, which anchors professional and government employment.

Hinds Outpaces Regional Peers

Hinds County's median income substantially exceeds neighboring Holmes County ($29,434) and Humphreys County ($32,976), though it trails Itawamba County ($59,508) and Jackson County ($64,756). The disparity underscores economic divergence across Mississippi's regions.

Housing Costs Manageable Here

Hinds County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.8% sits at the threshold of affordability, meaning renters dedicate nearly a quarter of income to housing. With a median home value of $151,200, homeownership remains accessible compared to national medians but requires careful household budgeting.

Build Financial Resilience in Hinds

With median income of $49,966, establishing an emergency fund of 3–6 months' expenses should be a priority before investing. Consider employer-sponsored retirement plans and low-cost index funds to grow wealth steadily, even on a modest income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hinds County

via HealthByCounty

Hinds County life expectancy trails nation

At 70.8 years, Hinds County residents live roughly 5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (27.1%) report poor or fair health, compared to 18% nationally, signaling persistent health challenges across the county.

Hinds ranks near state average on longevity

Hinds County's life expectancy of 70.8 years sits just below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, placing it squarely in the middle of Mississippi's health outcomes. The county's uninsured rate of 12.9% is notably better than the state average of 13.9%.

Hinds outperforms rural neighbors on access

Hinds County has 89 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—more than four times the rate in neighboring rural counties like Holmes (55 per 100K). Mental health provider access is also robust at 437 per 100K, reflecting Hinds's more urban character.

Healthcare access is strong but gaps persist

With 12.9% of residents uninsured and robust primary care availability, Hinds County has better immediate access than many Mississippi counterparts. However, the high share reporting fair or poor health (27.1%) suggests that access to care alone doesn't guarantee good outcomes—affordability, chronic disease management, and social factors matter too.

Check coverage options in your area

If you're among the 12.9% of Hinds County residents without insurance, marketplace plans and Medicaid expansion options may lower your costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local enrollment counselor to explore plans that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hinds County

via RiskByCounty

Hinds County faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 94.31, Hinds County ranks as relatively moderate nationally—well above Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's elevated score reflects significant exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and flooding.

Among Mississippi's riskiest counties

Hinds County ranks in the top tier of Mississippi counties for overall disaster risk, trailing only Jackson County. This high ranking means residents face notably greater natural hazard exposure than most other Mississippians.

Significantly riskier than rural neighbors

Hinds County's risk score of 94.31 far exceeds nearby counties like Rankin and Madison, reflecting its more urbanized profile and concentrated infrastructure. Neighboring rural counties average composite scores below 50, making Hinds a notable risk outlier in central Mississippi.

Tornadoes and flooding pose greatest threats

Tornado risk stands at 98.16, the highest hazard facing Hinds residents, while flood risk of 95.13 creates secondary but serious danger, especially during severe weather seasons. Earthquake risk (90.94) and hurricane exposure (86.36) round out four significant hazards requiring preparedness attention.

Secure comprehensive coverage now

Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood and earthquake damage, leaving most Hinds County homes dangerously underinsured. Consider adding separate flood and earthquake policies immediately, and ensure your coverage is adequate for rebuilding, not just current market value.

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.