CountyScore

Holmes County

Mississippi · MS

#67 in Mississippi
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Holmes County, Mississippi

Strong performer 28 points above median

Holmes County scores 64.1 out of 100, placing it substantially above the national median of 50.0 and in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This solid performance signals livability well above the typical American county.

Slightly below state average

Holmes scores 64.1 versus Mississippi's state average of 67.5, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 82 counties. While respectable nationally, it slightly trails the state norm.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Holmes County's standout strength is affordability: a cost score of 89.2 with median rent of just $589/month and homes at $76,500, among the cheapest in the state. The tax score of 76.7 further enhances the value proposition for budget-conscious residents.

Income and health lag significantly

The county faces steep income challenges with a score of just 2.6 and median household income of $29,434—one of the lowest in Mississippi—paired with a health score of 43.3. These dimensions suggest limited economic opportunity and healthcare access.

Ideal for retirees and minimal-income households

Holmes County is best suited for retirees on fixed incomes or families with resources from elsewhere seeking rock-bottom living costs. The ultra-low housing prices and rents make it highly attractive for those prioritizing affordability over income-earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.7Cost89.2SafetyComing SoonHealth43.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome2.6Risk50.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼2.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤43.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡50.2
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 Holmes County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Alaska
64.1
Median income: $52,642
Glades County
Florida
64.1
Median income: $38,905
Santa Rosa County
Florida
64.1
Median income: $88,968
Columbia County
Georgia
64.1
Median income: $96,122
Stewart County
Georgia
64.1
Median income: $35,000

Deep Dives

Holmes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Holmes County

via TaxByCounty

Holmes taxes far below national norm

Holmes County's effective tax rate of 0.908% ranks in the nation's bottom quartile, well below the 1.1% national median. The median property tax of just $695 is about one-quarter the national median of $2,690.

Near the top in low Mississippi rates

Holmes County's 0.908% effective rate exceeds the Mississippi average of 0.743% by just 2.2 percentage points. This places it in the middle tier statewide, with roughly equal numbers of counties taxing more and less heavily.

Lower taxes than Humphreys and Issaquena

Holmes County's 0.908% rate sits below Humphreys County's 1.104% but above Issaquena County's exceptionally low 0.346%. The median tax here ($695) is competitive with other rural Delta counties in the region.

Median homeowner pays $695 annually

On Holmes County's median home value of $76,500, the typical homeowner pays about $695 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, this figure rises to roughly $822 when escrow is included.

Property assessment challenges are worth pursuing

Even in a low-tax county, overassessed properties can be challenged through the assessor's office or county board of equalization. A successful appeal could save Holmes County homeowners several hundred dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Holmes County

via CostByCounty

Holmes offers remarkably affordable rents

Holmes County's 24.0% rent-to-income ratio reflects its standing as one of Mississippi's most affordable rental markets, with median rent of just $589 running 25% below the state average of $782. Against the national median income of $74,755, Holmes's median of $29,434 signals economic challenges, but housing costs remain genuinely accessible to local earners.

Holmes beats most counties on affordability

At 24.0%, Holmes County's rent-to-income ratio runs above the state average of 19.6%, but its extraordinarily low median rent of $589 places it among Mississippi's cheapest housing markets. This affordability advantage is driven by limited demand and modest home values, averaging $76,500—the lowest in this county cluster.

Holmes rents undercut Hinds and Humphreys

Holmes County's $589 median rent is the lowest in this region, undercutting Hinds County ($1,032) by 43% and Humphreys County ($643) by 8%. However, Holmes's median household income of $29,434 is also among the lowest, making the affordability advantage less impressive in absolute terms.

Cheapest rents, lowest incomes in region

Holmes renters spend $589 monthly while homeowners pay $580, with median home value at just $76,500. On a median income of only $29,434 annually, rent consumes 24% of gross income—affordable by standard metrics, but reflects an economy with limited earning opportunities.

Holmes: budget housing, limited wages

Holmes County delivers genuine affordability for renters and buyers on tight budgets, with some of Mississippi's lowest housing costs. However, a median household income of $29,434 signals limited job prospects; this county works best for remote workers or those with income sources outside the local job market.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Holmes County

via IncomeByCounty

Holmes Faces Significant Income Gap

Holmes County's median household income of $29,434 is 61% below the national median of $74,755, representing one of the steepest regional disparities in the nation. Households here earn roughly $45,000 less annually than the U.S. average.

Among Mississippi's Lowest Earners

Holmes County ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's income distribution at $29,434, well below the state median of $48,514—a shortfall of 39%. This signals chronic economic distress and limited wage-earning opportunities in the county.

Holmes Among Region's Poorest

Holmes County's median income trails most neighbors, matching only Issaquena County ($29,271) in the lower income range. Nearby Humphreys County ($32,976) and Jefferson County ($36,207) earn modestly more, while Jasper County ($47,157) and Hinds County ($49,966) represent significantly higher-earning alternatives.

Housing Affordable, Income Tight

Holmes County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.0% is manageable by national standards, and median home values of $76,500 are among the nation's lowest. However, with median household income of only $29,434, most families struggle to cover basic necessities beyond housing.

Start Small, Build Steady Wealth

In Holmes County, even modest savings of $25–50 monthly compounds into meaningful reserves over time. Seek out free financial literacy programs and employer benefits; a tax-advantaged savings plan or credit union membership can help transform limited income into long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Holmes County

via HealthByCounty

Holmes County faces severe health disparities

Life expectancy in Holmes County is just 65.8 years—nearly 11 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. More than 1 in 3 residents (34.0%) report poor or fair health, nearly double the national rate of 18%.

Holmes ranks among Mississippi's poorest health

At 65.8 years, Holmes County's life expectancy ranks in the bottom tier of Mississippi counties, more than 5 years below the state average of 70.9 years. The 34% poor/fair health rate is one of the state's highest, indicating urgent population health challenges.

Holmes struggles with provider shortage

Holmes County has only 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a severe shortage compared to statewide norms. Mental health provider access is critically low at 44 per 100K, leaving many residents without timely psychiatric care.

Limited providers strain daily healthcare

With 13.7% uninsured and fewer than 1 primary care doctor per 2,000 residents, Holmes County residents often delay care or travel to neighboring counties for treatment. The scarcity of mental health providers compounds the challenge, forcing those in crisis to seek help hours away.

Coverage helps when providers are scarce

Ensuring you have insurance is even more critical when local providers are limited—it helps you access care outside the county when needed. Explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center sliding scales at healthcare.gov.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Holmes County

via RiskByCounty

Holmes County sits near average national risk

Holmes County's composite risk score of 49.81 places it as relatively low nationally, just slightly below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's balanced exposure across hazard types keeps it from concentrating risk in any single category.

Middle-of-the-road risk for Mississippi

Holmes County ranks roughly in the middle of Mississippi's county risk distribution, neither significantly safer nor more exposed than typical state communities. Most Mississippi counties cluster near this risk level, making Holmes representative of average state exposure.

Comparable risk to surrounding counties

Holmes County's score of 49.81 aligns closely with neighboring Humphreys County (27.93) and Yazoo County, reflecting the central Mississippi Delta region's mixed hazard profile. The area faces moderate tornado and earthquake exposure balanced against lower flood risk.

Tornadoes demand priority attention

Tornado risk of 82.47 emerges as Holmes County's dominant hazard, roughly 60% higher than the county's overall composite score. Earthquake (69.72) and hurricane (66.46) risks follow, creating a diverse disaster threat landscape across seasons.

Build tornado preparedness into your plan

With tornado risk outpacing other hazards, Holmes County households should prioritize safe-room construction or access to community shelters as the foundation of disaster readiness. Pair this with flood insurance—often overlooked but essential in Delta communities—and your family becomes significantly more resilient.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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