CountyScore

Lafayette County

Mississippi · MS

#48 in Mississippi
66.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Lafayette County, Mississippi

Above-average livability across the board

Lafayette County scores 66.7 out of 100, positioning it 34 percentile points above the national median and solidly in the upper half of American counties. This reflects balanced strengths across multiple quality-of-life dimensions.

Roughly aligned with Mississippi

Lafayette County's score of 66.7 falls just below Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it squarely in the middle tier of the state's counties. This positioning suggests fairly representative livability conditions for Mississippi.

Income and health stand out

Lafayette County excels in income with a score of 25.4 and a median household income of $64,334—the highest among these eight counties and well above state norms. Its health score of 64.7 reflects strong healthcare outcomes, and tax efficiency (84.2) keeps costs manageable.

Housing costs and risk exposure

The county's cost score of 73.2 reflects higher housing expenses, with median home values of $260,500 and rents at $1,091/month—significantly above peers. Its risk score of 35.6 suggests moderate exposure to environmental or economic vulnerabilities.

Perfect for upscale, health-minded families

Lafayette County appeals to professionals and families with above-average incomes seeking strong health infrastructure and cultural amenities in a college-town setting. It's ideal for those willing to pay a premium for higher earning potential and healthcare quality.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.2Cost73.2SafetyComing SoonHealth64.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk35.6WaterComing Soon
🏛84.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.6
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 Lafayette County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

McIntosh County
Georgia
66.7
Median income: $50,348
Washington County
Georgia
66.7
Median income: $44,009
Montgomery County
Iowa
66.7
Median income: $63,190
Haskell County
Kansas
66.7
Median income: $69,138
Miami County
Kansas
66.7
Median income: $88,000

Deep Dives

Lafayette County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lafayette County

via TaxByCounty

Lafayette taxes still modest nationally

Lafayette County's effective tax rate of 0.642% remains less than one-quarter the national median of 2.6%. The median annual property tax of $1,672 falls short of the national median of $2,690, despite higher home values.

Below state average, higher values

Lafayette County's 0.642% effective rate falls below Mississippi's 0.743% state average, despite the county having the highest median home value in this sample at $260,500. The median property tax of $1,672 significantly exceeds the state median of $931.

Premium property, moderate tax rates

Lafayette County's 0.642% rate is mid-range regionally, but its median home value of $260,500 dwarfs most peers. The result is a median tax bill of $1,672 that reflects stronger property values rather than aggressive tax rates.

Median home: roughly $1,672 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $260,500 pays approximately $1,672 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $2,073, while owners without mortgages pay $1,346.

Higher values warrant assessment check

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 Lafayette County

via CostByCounty

Higher costs reflect university town premium

Lafayette County's 20.4% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above Mississippi's state average, driven by both higher rents ($1,091 monthly) and home values ($260,500 median). The median household income of $64,334 supports this premium but still trails the national average of $74,755 by nearly $10,500.

Mid-range affordability for university county

Lafayette County ranks in the middle tier of Mississippi counties for housing affordability, with a 20.4% rent-to-income ratio slightly above the state's 19.6% average. This reflects the economic dynamics of a college town (University of Mississippi), where education-sector jobs support higher housing prices than surrounding rural areas.

Premium pricing driven by university presence

Lafayette County renters pay $1,091 monthly—the highest in this eight-county set—while homebuyers face median prices of $260,500, nearly double the regional average. This premium reflects the university's economic anchor and explains why Lafayette County feels more expensive than rural neighbors like Kemper and Lawrence counties.

College town economics reshape housing market

The typical renter allocates $1,091 of a $5,361 monthly income to housing, consuming 20.4% of earnings—manageable but significant. Homeowners with $1,009 monthly mortgages face nearly identical burden at 18.8%, suggesting Lafayette County attracts higher-income households seeking university-area amenities.

University community appeals to specific movers

Lafayette County's higher housing costs reflect its role as Mississippi's premier university town, offering cultural and educational amenities unavailable in rural counties. If university proximity, diverse employment, and walkable communities matter to you, the premium housing costs may justify relocation here over cheaper rural alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lafayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Strong income, but still trails nation

Lafayette County's median household income of $64,334 approaches the national median of $74,755, capturing 86% of typical American earning power. The county ranks among Mississippi's more prosperous regions, though a $10,400 gap remains relative to the national baseline.

Top tier within Mississippi

At $64,334, Lafayette County significantly exceeds Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by nearly $16,000, positioning it among the top-performing counties statewide. This strength reflects the presence of the University of Mississippi and a more diversified regional economy.

Economic leader in regional cohort

Lafayette County's $64,334 income substantially outpaces all neighboring counties: Lamar County ($69,106) leads regionally, but Lafayette ranks second, ahead of Jones County ($51,143), Leake County ($48,418), and Lauderdale County ($50,033). The county anchors the upper tier of this regional peer group.

Higher income supports elevated home values

The median home value of $260,500 and rent-to-income ratio of 20.4% reflect stronger household capacity, though these figures indicate higher absolute housing costs. The 20.4% ratio remains within acceptable range, signaling that household income adequately supports the local real estate market.

Build wealth through strategic investing

Lafayette County households enjoy income above state average and housing that consumes a reasonable portion of earnings, creating space for wealth-building strategies. Consider diversified investment accounts, real estate appreciation, and educational advancement to secure long-term financial security for future generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lafayette County

via HealthByCounty

Lafayette leads Mississippi on life expectancy

Lafayette County residents live to 76.0 years on average, the highest in the state and nearly matching the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Only 19.1% report poor or fair health, the second-best rate in this profile and substantially below the national average of 18%.

Top health performer in Mississippi

Lafayette County is among Mississippi's healthiest regions, with life expectancy well above the state average of 70.9 years and the lowest rate of poor health reports among peers. The uninsured rate of 13.9% is exactly at the state average, though the county's strong healthcare infrastructure helps mitigate access gaps.

Tied for longest life, strongest mental health

Lafayette County ties Lamar for the second-longest life expectancy in the region and surpasses most neighbors on health self-ratings. The county's 706 mental health providers per 100K is extraordinary—far exceeding any neighboring county and nearly ten times the regional median.

Exceptional mental health care, solid primary care

Lafayette County's 706 mental health providers per 100K is a regional powerhouse, likely reflecting its home to a major university and regional medical resources. With 70 primary care providers per 100K and 13.9% uninsured, residents have strong infrastructure for both routine and specialized care.

Lafayette's resources work best when you're insured

With exceptional mental health and primary care capacity, Lafayette County's healthcare system thrives when residents are enrolled in coverage. Verify your eligibility for Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer insurance to unlock these community assets.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lafayette County

via RiskByCounty

Lafayette faces moderate natural disaster risk

Lafayette County's composite risk score of 64.44 places it above the national average, with a Relatively Low rating that masks significant exposure to specific hazards. The county's earthquake risk (88.49) and tornado risk (81.11) rank notably high nationally.

Above-average risk for Mississippi

With a 64.44 composite score, Lafayette County ranks above Mississippi's average of 50.94, placing it in the state's moderate-to-elevated risk tier. The county's earthquake and tornado profiles are particularly elevated relative to state peers.

Moderate risk in a mixed region

Lafayette County's 64.44 score sits between Lawrence County's very low risk (25.00) and Lauderdale County's elevated risk (86.96), reflecting its position in a transitional hazard zone. Leake County (55.69) offers a nearby comparison with slightly lower overall exposure.

Earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes converge

Earthquake risk dominates at 88.49, followed by tornado risk at 81.11 and hurricane risk at 61.08, creating a complex multi-hazard environment. Flood (47.77) and wildfire (48.06) risks round out a balanced threat profile.

Cover earthquakes and strengthen structures

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage—a critical gap in Lafayette County, where risk scores 88.49. Pair earthquake coverage with comprehensive wind and flood riders, and consider structural reinforcements to withstand tornado and seismic events.

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.