CountyScore

Jefferson Davis County

Mississippi · MS

#26 in Mississippi
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi

Well above the national middle

Jefferson Davis County scores 69.4 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, placing it 39 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This solid performance puts the county in the upper half of American counties for overall livability.

Slightly ahead of Mississippi

The county ranks above Mississippi's state average composite score of 67.5, placing it in the stronger tier of the state's counties. This positioning reflects better-than-typical livability conditions compared to fellow Mississippi communities.

Affordability and low taxes lead

Jefferson Davis County excels in cost of living, with a housing affordability score of 86.9 and median home values of just $87,100—among the lowest in the nation. The county also boasts strong tax efficiency with an effective rate of 0.836%, giving it a tax score of 78.8.

Income growth needs attention

The county's income score of 7.7 reflects a median household income of only $37,183, significantly below state and national norms. Health outcomes (54.6) also lag behind, suggesting room for improvement in healthcare access and wellness.

Best for budget-conscious retirees

Jefferson Davis County suits individuals and families prioritizing ultra-low housing costs and minimal tax burden over higher earning potential. It's an ideal fit for retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers seeking maximum purchasing power in the South.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78.8Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth54.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.7Risk76.9WaterComing Soon
🏛78.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.9
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 Davis County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Jefferson Davis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jefferson Davis County

via TaxByCounty

Jefferson Davis taxes far below US average

Homeowners in Jefferson Davis County pay an effective tax rate of 0.836%, nearly one-third the national median of 2.6%. At $728 annually on a median home value of $87,100, residents pay far less than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Above average within Mississippi

Jefferson Davis County ranks higher than Mississippi's state average effective rate of 0.743%, with its 0.836% rate placing it in the upper tier statewide. The median property tax of $728 slightly underperforms the state median of $931.

Mid-range among regional peers

Jefferson Davis County's effective rate sits between Kemper County's 0.598% and Jones County's 0.880%. The median annual tax of $728 reflects lower property values typical across this rural region.

Median home: roughly $728 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $87,100 pays approximately $728 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay slightly more at $762, while owners without mortgages pay $686.

Check if your assessment is fair

Many Mississippi homeowners overpay because their properties are assessed above market value. If your county appraisal seems high compared to recent sales prices, you may qualify for a tax appeal that could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jefferson Davis County

via CostByCounty

Rents affordable, but income lags far behind

Jefferson Davis County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% exceeds the national sweet spot, where housing shouldn't consume more than 30% of earnings. With a median household income of $37,183—barely half the national average of $74,755—renters here spend proportionally more of their paychecks on housing than most Americans do.

Among Mississippi's least affordable counties

Jefferson Davis County ranks as one of the state's least affordable housing markets, with a rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% compared to Mississippi's 19.6% average. The median rent of $695 undercuts the state average by $87, but local incomes are so compressed that affordability still strains household budgets.

Cheaper rents than nearby Lauderdale

Jefferson Davis County renters pay $695 monthly, significantly less than Lauderdale County's $897 and Lawrence County's $835. This affordability advantage matters most to lower-income families, though neighboring Kemper County offers even cheaper housing at $470 per month.

Renters and owners face tight budgets

The typical renter spends $695 monthly while earning $3,099 per month, consuming 22.4% of income for housing. Homeowners with $600 monthly costs and the same income fare slightly better at 19.4%, but all Jefferson Davis County residents earn well below state and national standards.

Consider affordability versus opportunity

Jefferson Davis County offers some of Mississippi's lowest rents, making it attractive for budget-conscious relocators. However, the low median income suggests limited job growth—compare housing costs here against opportunities in neighboring Jones or Lauderdale counties before deciding.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jefferson Davis County

via IncomeByCounty

Household income lags far behind national average

Jefferson Davis County's median household income of $37,183 sits well below the national median of $74,755—just 50% of what typical American households earn. This places the county among the lowest-income counties nationally, where earning power significantly constrains household financial stability.

Below state average, among bottom tier

At $37,183, Jefferson Davis County's median income trails Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $11,331. The county ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's 82 counties by household income, indicating it faces economic headwinds within its state peer group.

Lowest income among regional peers

Jefferson Davis County earns less than nearly all neighboring counties in the region. Lawrence County ($43,368) and Kemper County ($43,595) both exceed Jefferson Davis by thousands, while Leake County ($48,418) and Lauderdale County ($50,033) pull further ahead, suggesting concentrated economic challenge.

Affordable housing, modest living costs

The median home value of $87,100 and rent-to-income ratio of 22.4% indicate housing remains relatively accessible despite low wages. However, the gap between income and national cost-of-living benchmarks means households struggle with healthcare, transportation, and savings even when housing is affordable.

Build emergency savings, explore growth paths

With tight household budgets, prioritize establishing a small emergency fund—even $500–$1,000 absorbs unexpected costs. Explore workforce development programs, credential training, and career mentorship within your community to increase earning potential over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jefferson Davis County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly above state average

Jefferson Davis County residents live to 71.0 years on average, slightly outpacing Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years but falling short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years. About 26% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 18%, signaling persistent health challenges in the county.

Mid-tier health outcomes within Mississippi

Among Mississippi's 82 counties, Jefferson Davis ranks in the middle on life expectancy but faces above-average rates of poor health reports. The county's uninsured rate of 13.7% closely mirrors the state average of 13.9%, indicating comparable insurance coverage challenges across the region.

Healthier than Lawrence, behind Lamar

Jefferson Davis residents outlive neighbors in Lawrence County (70.3 years) but fall behind Lamar County (77.2 years) by more than six years. Primary care availability at 27 per 100,000 residents is better than Kemper (11 per 100K) but substantially lower than Jones County (49 per 100K).

Limited primary care access challenges care

With only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Jefferson Davis has fewer doctors per capita than many neighboring counties, potentially delaying routine care and preventive services. The 13.7% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 7 residents lack health coverage, creating barriers to regular check-ups and treatment.

Explore your health insurance options today

If you're among the uninsured or underinsured in Jefferson Davis County, now is the time to check your eligibility for Medicaid, the Mississippi Health Insurance Market, or employer-sponsored plans. A healthcare navigator in your county can help identify affordable coverage that works for your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jefferson Davis County

via RiskByCounty

Jefferson Davis sits well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 23.09, Jefferson Davis County ranks as Very Low—significantly safer than the national average composite risk. The county's risk profile is shaped most heavily by hurricane exposure, which scores 78.43, though even this falls below catastrophic thresholds for inland Mississippi communities.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

Jefferson Davis ranks as one of the state's lowest-risk counties, with its 23.09 composite score well below Mississippi's average of 50.94. Only a handful of Mississippi counties maintain comparably low overall natural disaster risk profiles.

Safer than surrounding counties

Jefferson Davis County's very low risk stands in sharp contrast to neighboring Lamar County (64.98) and Lawrence County (25.00). Your county benefits from lower flood, wildfire, and tornado exposure compared to most regional peers.

Hurricane and wildfire pose the most concern

Hurricane risk scores 78.43 in Jefferson Davis, making tropical storms the county's most significant natural hazard, while wildfire risk at 56.74 remains a secondary concern. Tornado risk (53.88) and earthquake risk (38.17) are both relatively modest for the region.

Prioritize wind and flood coverage now

Even in a very low-risk county, homeowners should secure comprehensive wind coverage for hurricane season and evaluate flood insurance, particularly in mapped flood zones. Standard homeowners policies often exclude both, leaving gaps that one major storm can expose.

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.