CountyScore

Jackson County

Mississippi · MS

#70 in Mississippi
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Mississippi

Solid performer 28% above national median

Jackson County scores 63.8 out of 100, placing it 28% above the national median of 50.0 and in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This represents above-average livability relative to most American counties.

Slightly below state average

At 63.8, Jackson scores 3.7 points below Mississippi's state average of 67.5, ranking it in the mid-lower tier of the state's counties. It lags behind the state norm but remains respectable.

Higher income and best health outcomes

Jackson County leads this group with median household income of $64,756 (income score: 25.7) and the strongest health score at 63.7, plus a very low risk score of 7.7. These factors position it as a center of economic activity and healthcare in the region.

Housing costs and low affordability index

The county's cost score of 74.0 is the weakest among strengths, with median gross rent at $1,087/month and median home value of $181,700—the highest in this group. These higher costs offset some affordability advantage.

Best for higher-earning professionals and families

Jackson County suits employed professionals and families with above-average incomes seeking access to superior healthcare and economic opportunity. The higher housing costs are offset by better wages and services for those who can afford them.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.7Cost74SafetyComing SoonHealth63.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk7.7WaterComing Soon
🏛81.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7.7
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 Jackson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mobile County
Alabama
63.8
Median income: $58,119
Tuolumne County
California
63.8
Median income: $72,259
Colquitt County
Georgia
63.8
Median income: $49,691
Ford County
Illinois
63.8
Median income: $60,782
Penobscot County
Maine
63.8
Median income: $63,248

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson's taxes run below national average

Jackson County's effective tax rate of 0.733% falls below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the bottom half of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,332 is about half the national median of $2,690.

Right at Mississippi's state average

Jackson County's 0.733% rate matches Mississippi's state average almost exactly at 0.743%, putting it squarely in the middle of the tax distribution statewide. This makes Jackson fairly typical among Mississippi counties.

Lower taxes than nearby Hinds County

Jackson County's 0.733% rate trails Hinds County's 0.919% by about 2 percentage points. However, Jackson's higher median home value ($181,700 vs. $151,200) results in similar absolute tax bills to neighboring counties.

Median homeowner pays $1,332 annually

On Jackson County's median home value of $181,700, homeowners pay approximately $1,332 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, this figure rises to about $1,567 when escrow is factored in.

Jackson homeowners should verify assessments

Properties assessed above fair market value cost you money year after year—contact the Jackson County assessor to review your assessment. If your home's value has declined or is overestimated, an appeal could save hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson County: higher income, higher costs

Jackson County's 20.1% rent-to-income ratio sits just above Mississippi's 19.6% state average, reflecting a county where both incomes and housing costs run elevated. With median household income at $64,756—86% of the national median—and median rent at $1,087, Jackson represents Mississippi's most economically dynamic region but with correspondingly steeper housing prices.

Jackson County leads state in earnings

Jackson County's median household income of $64,756 is the highest in this comparison group and runs 34% above Mississippi's typical county. Though its 20.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 19.6%, Jackson's strong income base makes housing more sustainable than in most Mississippi counties.

Highest wages, steepest rents

Jackson County's $1,087 median rent is the highest in this region—only Hinds County ($1,032) comes close—but Jackson's median income of $64,756 dwarfs comparison counties like Hinds ($49,966) or Humphreys ($32,976). This income advantage makes Jackson's pricier housing more manageable in real terms.

Strong incomes offset elevated housing

Renters spend $1,087 monthly while homeowners face $963, with median home value at $181,700—the highest in this cluster—and median income at $64,756 annually. Housing consumes 20.1% of gross income for renters, remaining affordable despite Jackson's position as Mississippi's economic engine.

Pay more, earn more in Jackson County

Jackson County offers Mississippi's strongest job market and highest incomes at $64,756 median, though housing costs run steep with rents at $1,087 and home values averaging $181,700. This coastal county suits households prioritizing career opportunity and economic growth over rock-bottom housing affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson County Approaches National Average

Jackson County's median household income of $64,756 is 13% below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing Mississippi's closest approach to national income levels. The $9,999 gap reflects stronger employment opportunities tied to Pascagoula's port, shipbuilding, and military presence.

Mississippi's Top Income Earner

Jackson County leads all Mississippi counties with a median household income of $64,756, exceeding the state median of $48,514 by 33%. This outsized performance reflects coastal economic advantages, including maritime commerce, defense contracts, and tourism-related employment.

Jackson Dominates Regional Income

Jackson County's median income of $64,756 substantially exceeds all neighbors, including Itawamba County ($59,508), Jasper County ($47,157), and Hinds County ($49,966). The gap underscores Jackson's unique coastal economic base and higher-wage job availability.

Strong Financial Stability

Jackson County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.1% is comfortably within the affordability zone, and median home values of $181,700 reflect robust local wealth. Households here have meaningful income after housing costs, enabling savings and debt management.

Build Substantial Retirement Assets

With median household income of $64,756, Jackson County households can aggressively fund retirement and investment accounts—targeting 15–20% savings rates. Diversify across tax-advantaged accounts (401k, IRA, HSA) and taxable investments to build multi-million-dollar wealth over a working lifetime.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson County leads Mississippi in health

At 73.5 years, Jackson County's life expectancy is the highest among these eight counties and just 2.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Only 19.4% report poor or fair health—the best rate in this group and approaching the national average.

Jackson County outpaces state on every metric

At 73.5 years, Jackson County's life expectancy beats Mississippi's 70.9-year average by nearly 3 years. The 12.5% uninsured rate is the lowest in this county set, showing strong coverage across Jackson.

Strongest provider network in region

Jackson County has 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 180 mental health providers per 100,000—robust access reflecting its more developed healthcare infrastructure. These rates support the county's best-in-group outcomes.

Coverage and access drive daily health wins

With 12.5% uninsured and nearly 1 primary care provider per 2,200 residents, Jackson County residents have real options for preventive and acute care. Strong mental health capacity at 180 per 100K means behavioral health crises have pathways to help.

Sustain Jackson's health advantage

If you're among the 12.5% uninsured in Jackson County, maintaining coverage keeps you connected to the healthcare system that delivers strong outcomes. Check marketplace and Medicaid options at healthcare.gov.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson County faces elevated national disaster risk

Jackson County's composite risk score of 92.33 ranks as relatively moderate nationally—81% above Mississippi's state average of 50.94. Hurricane exposure (97.79) and wildfire risk (94.15) drive this elevated profile, making the coastal county uniquely vulnerable.

Mississippi's riskiest county overall

Jackson County ranks as the highest-risk county in Mississippi for natural disasters, narrowly ahead of Hinds County. Residents face significantly greater hazard exposure than virtually any other Mississippian, requiring comprehensive disaster preparedness.

Far riskier than inland neighbors

Jackson County's score of 92.33 vastly exceeds nearby inland counties like Harrison and Pearl River, reflecting its critical coastal location. The county's exposure to Atlantic hurricanes and proximity to Gulf weather systems create hazards absent in neighboring inland communities.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate threats

Hurricane risk of 97.79 stands as Jackson County's most severe hazard—among the highest in the nation—while wildfire risk of 94.15 creates a secondary major threat. Flood (86.83) and tornado (89.98) risks round out four serious hazards requiring distinct preparedness strategies.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Jackson County homeowners must maintain both flood insurance and windstorm coverage—critical protections standard policies frequently exclude. Review your policy annually and ensure coverage limits reflect actual rebuilding costs, not outdated valuations, given the county's exceptional hurricane exposure.

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.