CountyScore

Jefferson County

Mississippi · MS

#17 in Mississippi
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson County, Mississippi

Above-median livability 41% higher

Jefferson County scores 70.5 out of 100, placing it in the top 30% nationally and 41% above the national median of 50.0. This signals strong livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Exceeds Mississippi average

Jefferson's 70.5 score surpasses Mississippi's state average of 67.5, ranking it in the upper tier of the state's counties. The county stands among Mississippi's better-performing communities.

Exceptional affordability and environmental resilience

Jefferson dominates in housing affordability (94.2) with median rent of just $444/month and median home value of $81,400, plus an outstanding risk score of 88.8 indicating strong environmental and economic stability. These are the county's defining assets.

Income and health access lag

The income score of 7.0 reflects median household income of just $36,207—well below state and national levels—while a health score of 50.4 suggests limited healthcare quality or availability. These gaps represent meaningful livability constraints.

Suits remote workers and fixed-income households

Jefferson County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, or families with outside income sources seeking ultra-low living costs and environmental stability. Those dependent on local employment should carefully weigh the limited income opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax74.1Cost94.2SafetyComing SoonHealth50.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome7Risk88.8WaterComing Soon
🏛74.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠94.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤50.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Jefferson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Franklin County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $51,493
Lauderdale County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $59,082
Holmes County
Florida
70.5
Median income: $48,236
Fayette County
Indiana
70.5
Median income: $56,659
Smith County
Kansas
70.5
Median income: $57,024

Deep Dives

Jefferson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson's tax rate above national median

Jefferson County's effective tax rate of 1.002% slightly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it near the nation's middle. The median property tax of $816 remains well below the national median of $2,690, reflecting lower home values.

Above Mississippi's average tax rate

Jefferson County's 1.002% rate runs about 35% higher than Mississippi's state average of 0.743%. This makes Jefferson one of the more aggressive taxers in the state on a per-dollar basis.

Higher rates than most nearby counties

Jefferson County's 1.002% rate exceeds Jasper County's 0.599% by over 40% and trails only Humphreys County's 1.104% in the region. This reflects Jefferson's higher reliance on property taxation for local services.

Median homeowner pays $816 annually

On Jefferson County's median home value of $81,400, homeowners pay approximately $816 per year in property taxes. This represents a meaningful burden given the county's modest median home values.

Jefferson assessment appeals can pay off

With above-average tax rates, ensuring your property is fairly assessed is especially important in Jefferson County. If your home's assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales, filing an appeal with the county could reduce your annual bill significantly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson County

via CostByCounty

Jefferson offers surprising affordability

Jefferson County's 14.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest in this county cluster and runs well below Mississippi's 19.6% state average. With median rent at just $444 monthly and household income at $36,207, Jefferson delivers exceptional housing affordability despite modest earning levels.

Jefferson beats most counties on value

At 14.7%, Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio is the second-best in this comparison—beaten only by Issaquena (10.4%)—and runs 25% below the Mississippi average of 19.6%. This southwest Mississippi county represents genuinely affordable rental housing within an economically challenged region.

Cheapest rents after Issaquena

Jefferson's $444 median rent trails only Issaquena ($253, 76% lower) and undercuts Humphreys ($643) by 31% and Holmes ($589) by 25%. Combined with moderate income of $36,207, Jefferson delivers housing costs that consume just 14.7% of earnings—among the most affordable scenarios in this cluster.

Housing costs run remarkably low

Renters spend just $444 monthly while homeowners pay $432, with median home value at $81,400 and median household income at $36,207 annually. At 14.7%, rent consumes roughly one-seventh of gross income—well below any affordability threshold and reflecting limited housing demand in a rural Delta county.

Budget-friendly with low economic opportunity

Jefferson County delivers extraordinarily affordable housing at $444 median rent and a 14.7% rent-to-income ratio, suiting those with tight budgets or limited incomes. However, the $36,207 median income signals limited local job prospects, making this county most viable for remote workers, retirees, or those with outside income sources.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jefferson Significantly Below U.S. Income

Jefferson County's median household income of $36,207 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by 52%, placing it among the nation's lowest-income counties. The $38,548 annual gap reflects severe economic constraints and limited wage opportunities.

Low-Income Within Mississippi

Jefferson County ranks among Mississippi's lowest with a median household income of $36,207, 25% below the state median of $48,514. This persistent income shortfall reflects historical economic decline and limited employment diversification in the rural county.

Slightly Above Delta's Poorest

Jefferson County's median income of $36,207 exceeds Holmes County ($29,434) and Issaquena County ($29,271), but trails Humphreys County ($32,976), Jasper County ($47,157), and Hinds County ($49,966). The modest advantage reflects limited but existing employment opportunities.

Affordable Housing, Tight Budgets

Jefferson County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.7% is quite favorable, and median home values of $81,400 are deeply affordable. However, with median household income of just $36,207, most families live paycheck-to-paycheck despite low housing costs.

Prioritize Stability, Then Growth

Jefferson County residents earning $36,207 should first build a $1,000 emergency fund, then pursue employer matches in retirement plans or credit union savings programs. Seek free financial coaching; even $10 weekly grows meaningfully over decades through consistent, humble discipline.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson County

via HealthByCounty

Jefferson County life expectancy trails nation

At 71.8 years, Jefferson County residents live roughly 4.3 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 1 in 3 (30.6%) report poor or fair health, a rate well above the national average and signaling persistent health challenges.

Jefferson slightly above state health average

At 71.8 years, Jefferson County's life expectancy edges just above Mississippi's 70.9-year average, placing it in the middle tier of state performance. The 14.7% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 13.9%, indicating coverage gaps.

Limited primary care, stronger mental health

Jefferson County has just 28 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a constraint common in rural Mississippi—but mental health capacity at 130 per 100K is relatively robust. This imbalance may reflect regional referral patterns or targeted investment.

High uninsured rate strains daily care access

With 14.7% uninsured and modest primary care availability, Jefferson County residents face real barriers to preventive care and early treatment. The strong mental health network is a bright spot, offering behavioral health support where primary care is thin.

Coverage opens pathways to better outcomes

If you're among the 14.7% of uninsured Jefferson County residents, getting covered can reduce delays and out-of-pocket costs. Visit healthcare.gov or contact a local community health center to explore Medicaid or marketplace plans today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson County ranks among nation's safest

Jefferson County's composite risk score of 11.26 places it as very low nationally—78% below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. The county's rural character and interior location create genuinely minimal exposure to most natural disaster hazards.

Second-safest county in Mississippi

Jefferson County ranks as one of Mississippi's two safest communities for natural disasters, trailing only Issaquena County. Residents face substantially lower disaster risk than the typical Mississippian and far below high-risk coastal and urban counties.

Safest in southwest Mississippi region

Jefferson County's score of 11.26 makes it considerably safer than neighboring Adams and Wilkinson counties to the east. The county represents the southwest region's most protected community from natural hazard exposure.

Hurricane risk dominates minimal exposure

Even in Jefferson County's very-low-risk environment, hurricane exposure (65.08) emerges as the leading hazard concern, though still well below typical national levels. Tornado (36.04), flood (16.92), and wildfire (27.58) risks all remain minimal for county residents.

Basic disaster preparedness suffices

Jefferson County's exceptional safety means residents can focus on straightforward preparedness: maintaining a family emergency kit and understanding hurricane season updates. Standard homeowners insurance provides appropriate protection for this very-low-risk community.

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.