CountyScore

Jones County

Mississippi · MS

#56 in Mississippi
65.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Jones County, Mississippi

Solid midrange performer

Jones County scores 65.7 out of 100, positioning it 31 percentile points above the national median. This mid-to-upper range score reflects a county with genuine livability strengths alongside identifiable challenges.

Just below Mississippi average

Jones County scores 65.7, slightly below the state average of 67.5, placing it in the middle band of Mississippi's county rankings. It's close enough to the state mean to offer fairly representative conditions for the state.

Good health and reasonable costs

Jones County's health score of 60.2 is notably strong, and its cost score of 84.6 reflects affordable housing with a median home value of $126,800 and rent at $810/month. The county's effective tax rate of 0.880% keeps the tax burden manageable.

Risk and income lag behind

The county's risk score of 19.8 is significantly low, suggesting exposure to environmental or economic hazards that warrant investigation. Income levels also trail with a median of $51,143 and a score of just 16.8, limiting wealth-building opportunities.

Appealing for health-conscious buyers

Jones County works well for families seeking affordable housing and decent health infrastructure without premium incomes. Prospective residents should investigate the low risk score to understand what safeguards may need strengthening.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.5Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth60.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk19.8WaterComing Soon
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.8
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 Jones County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clinch County
Georgia
65.7
Median income: $55,549
Jo Daviess County
Illinois
65.7
Median income: $74,954
Porter County
Indiana
65.7
Median income: $85,828
Osage County
Kansas
65.7
Median income: $70,216
Kenton County
Kentucky
65.7
Median income: $79,421

Deep Dives

Jones County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jones County

via TaxByCounty

Jones County taxes well below national norm

Jones County's effective tax rate of 0.880% is roughly one-third the national median of 2.6%, keeping tax bills modest for residents. The median annual property tax of $1,116 falls far short of the national median of $2,690.

Highest rate in this county sample

At 0.880%, Jones County has the highest effective tax rate among these eight surveyed Mississippi counties, exceeding the state average of 0.743% by 18%. The median property tax of $1,116 tops the state median of $931.

Steeper than surrounding counties

Jones County's 0.880% effective rate exceeds most regional peers, with only Lauderdale County at 0.982% taxing higher. The median home value of $126,800 is among the region's stronger, explaining the higher tax bill.

Median home: roughly $1,116 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $126,800 pays approximately $1,116 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $1,384, while owners without mortgages pay $884.

Review your property assessment

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 Jones County

via CostByCounty

Balanced affordability near national standards

Jones County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold and nearly matches the national norm. With a median household income of $51,143 and median rent of $810, renters here spend less of their paychecks on housing than the typical American household does.

Better than average for Mississippi

Jones County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio beats Mississippi's 19.6% state average, positioning it in the upper half of the state's most affordable counties. The median rent of $810 exceeds the state average by $28, but stronger local incomes make housing more manageable.

Pricier rents reflect stronger incomes

Jones County renters pay $810 monthly—higher than most rural Mississippi neighbors like Kemper ($470) and Leake ($757). The premium reflects Jones County's higher median income of $51,143, which supports more expensive housing without straining household budgets.

Income supports both renters and owners

The typical renter allocates $810 of a $4,262 monthly income to housing, leaving roughly 81% for other expenses. Homeowners with $608 monthly costs represent an even better deal at just 14.3% of income, making Jones County accessible to both renters and buyers.

Strong balance of affordability and opportunity

Jones County combines reasonable housing costs with above-average Mississippi incomes, making it attractive for families seeking stability. If you're comparing Mississippi relocation options, Jones County's balanced affordability and economic fundamentals stand out among rural peers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jones County

via IncomeByCounty

Income sits 32% below US median

Jones County's median household income of $51,143 falls substantially short of the national median of $74,755, capturing roughly 68% of typical American earning power. This income gap reflects regional economic structures that limit wages compared to higher-earning metro and coastal counties.

Above-average within Mississippi

Jones County's $51,143 median income exceeds Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $2,629, positioning it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 82 counties. This relative strength reflects the county's more diverse economic base and employment opportunities.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Jones County's income of $51,143 outpaces Lauderdale County ($50,033) and edges Leake County ($48,418), while trailing stronger performers like Lafayette County ($64,334) and Lamar County ($69,106). The county occupies solid middle ground among its regional peer set.

Housing affordable, basic needs manageable

With a median home value of $126,800 and rent-to-income ratio of 19.0%, Jones County households enjoy relatively balanced housing costs. The 19.0% ratio signals healthy affordability, leaving room for savings and essential expenses beyond rent or mortgage.

Leverage stable income into long-term assets

Jones County households with above-state-average income can prioritize automated savings and retirement contributions—even modest amounts compound over decades. Consider local business opportunities, skill certifications, and networking to boost household income beyond the current median.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jones County

via HealthByCounty

Jones County beats state on life expectancy

Jones County residents average 71.5 years of life, surpassing Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years and narrowing the gap with the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Only 20.8% report poor or fair health, the lowest rate among the eight counties profiled here and well below the national average of 18%.

Strong health rankings within Mississippi

Jones County is among Mississippi's healthier counties, with life expectancy above the state mean and relatively low rates of poor health reports. The 13.2% uninsured rate is slightly better than Mississippi's average of 13.9%, suggesting stronger insurance coverage in the county.

Outperforms most regional peers

Jones County residents live longer than Jefferson Davis (71.0 years), Lawrence (70.3), and Leake (71.2) counties, though still lag behind Lamar (77.2) and Kemper (75.7 years). The county also has 49 primary care providers per 100K—among the best in the region and double the availability in Lawrence County.

Better access, strong mental health coverage

Jones County boasts 49 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 171 mental health providers, making it a regional leader in healthcare access. With just 13.2% uninsured, most residents can more easily schedule appointments and receive ongoing care.

Make sure you stay covered and healthy

Jones County's strong healthcare infrastructure means enrollment is your best next step—check your Medicaid eligibility, marketplace plans, or employer coverage today. Staying insured ensures you can take full advantage of the doctors and services available in your county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jones County

via RiskByCounty

Jones County faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 80.22 and a Relatively Low rating, Jones County ranks considerably higher than the national average on natural disaster exposure. The county's tornado risk (93.19) and hurricane risk (90.99) are both in the upper percentile nationally.

Among Mississippi's highest-risk counties

Jones County's 80.22 composite score ranks it well above Mississippi's average of 50.94, placing it in the state's higher-risk tier. Tornado and hurricane risks are especially pronounced compared to most other Mississippi counties.

Riskier than most neighboring areas

Jones County's elevated risk profile (80.22) significantly exceeds nearby Kemper County (14.92) and Lawrence County (25.00) but aligns more closely with Leake County (55.69). The county's tornado and hurricane exposure sets it apart in the region.

Tornadoes and hurricanes drive risk profile

Tornadoes represent the most acute threat, with a risk score of 93.19, followed closely by hurricane risk at 90.99—both well above state averages. Flood risk (71.50) and wildfire risk (73.89) also merit serious consideration in Jones County.

Invest in storm shelters and insurance

With tornado risk near the national top tier, consider reinforced safe rooms or community shelters for severe weather season. Pair comprehensive homeowners insurance with flood and wind riders to cover the full range of hazards your county faces.

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.