CountyScore

Lamar County

Mississippi · MS

#45 in Mississippi
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Lamar County, Mississippi

Strong performer above national median

Lamar County scores 67.2 out of 100, placing it 34 percentile points above the national median and in the upper half of American counties. This demonstrates solid livability across most measured dimensions.

Aligned with Mississippi average

Lamar County's score of 67.2 virtually matches Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of the state's counties. This represents fairly typical livability for Mississippi.

Income and health excel

Lamar County leads these eight counties in income, with a score of 28.5 and median household income of $69,106, offering strong wealth-building potential. Its health score of 66.4 is the highest in the group, and the tax score of 83.5 keeps government burden low.

Housing costs and risk concerns

The county's cost score of 73.4 reflects above-average housing expenses with median home values of $218,700 and rents at $1,061/month. Its risk score of 35.0 indicates moderate vulnerability to environmental or economic shocks.

Best for affluent families prioritizing health

Lamar County suits higher-income families and professionals who value strong healthcare, competitive wages, and good schools in a growing community. It's an excellent choice for those willing to invest in premium housing for healthier living conditions.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.5Cost73.4SafetyComing SoonHealth66.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.5Risk35WaterComing Soon
🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35
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 Lamar County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baldwin County
Alabama
67.2
Median income: $75,019
Aleutians East Borough
Alaska
67.2
Median income: $72,692
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Alaska
67.2
Median income: $74,223
Garland County
Arkansas
67.2
Median income: $55,409
Berrien County
Georgia
67.2
Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Lamar County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lamar County

via TaxByCounty

Lamar taxes remain well below US rates

Lamar County's effective tax rate of 0.667% is roughly one-quarter the national median of 2.6%. The median annual property tax of $1,459 trails the national median of $2,690, despite moderate property values.

Slightly below state average

Lamar County's 0.667% effective rate sits slightly below Mississippi's 0.743% state average, positioning it as tax-competitive statewide. The median property tax of $1,459 notably exceeds the state median of $931.

Mid-tier rate among regional peers

Lamar County's 0.667% effective rate places it in the middle range of these eight surveyed counties. The median home value of $218,700 is the second-highest in the region, driving the median tax bill to $1,459.

Median home: roughly $1,459 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $218,700 pays approximately $1,459 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $1,582, while owners without mortgages pay $1,212.

Verify your property's fair market value

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 Lamar County

via CostByCounty

Strongest incomes support higher housing costs

Lamar County's 18.4% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among these eight counties, reflecting the highest median household income of $69,106. This near-national-average income ($74,755 nationally) means housing—though pricier at $1,061 monthly rent and $218,700 home values—remains comfortably affordable.

Best affordability despite highest prices

Lamar County combines the lowest rent-to-income ratio (18.4%) with the second-highest median income ($69,106) in this dataset, making it Mississippi's most affordable market for those who can afford to live here. The county's economic strength, reflected in $1,061 median rent and $218,700 median home values, outpaces the state average.

Pricier housing reflects economic strength

Lamar County renters pay $1,061 monthly and homebuyers face $218,700 median prices—second-highest in this set after Lafayette County. However, the county's robust $69,106 median income means residents shoulder these costs more easily than neighbors in lower-income counties like Jefferson Davis or Lawrence.

Highest income cushions housing expenses

The typical Lamar County renter spends $1,061 of a $5,759 monthly income on housing, consuming just 18.4% of earnings—the best ratio here. Homeowners investing $1,031 monthly represent an equally manageable 17.9%, demonstrating that strong local incomes make even premium housing affordable.

Premium pay justifies premium housing

Lamar County offers Mississippi's best affordability despite higher housing costs, signaling a robust local economy and stronger job market. If you're relocating to Mississippi and earning above-average income, Lamar County's economic resilience and housing accessibility make it worth serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lamar County

via IncomeByCounty

Strongest income, narrowest national gap

Lamar County's median household income of $69,106 represents 92% of the national median of $74,755, the closest alignment to national norms in this cohort. Though a $5,600 gap persists, Lamar County ranks among Mississippi's most prosperous regions by household earnings.

Top performer statewide

At $69,106, Lamar County leads Mississippi's 82 counties by exceeding the state average of $48,514 by more than $20,500. This significant surplus positions Lamar as an economic engine within Mississippi, driven by diverse employment and higher-wage industries.

Clear economic leader regionally

Lamar County's $69,106 income tops all peers in this analysis, surpassing Lafayette County ($64,334) by $4,772 and distancing itself from Jones County ($51,143), Lauderdale County ($50,033), and all lower-income neighbors. The county stands as the regional prosperity benchmark.

Income supports robust housing market

The median home value of $218,700 and rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% reflect strong household purchasing power and financial cushion. The lowest rent-to-income ratio among higher-income counties signals that housing remains comfortably affordable despite elevated real estate values.

Leverage advantage into generational wealth

Lamar County's above-average income and favorable housing ratio create prime conditions for aggressive wealth-building through retirement savings, real estate investment, and diversified portfolios. Households should prioritize education funding and estate planning to compound advantages across generations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lamar County

via HealthByCounty

Lamar County leads eight-county health profile

Lamar County residents live to 77.2 years, exceeding both Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years and the U.S. average of 76.1 years by a full year. Just 19.3% report poor or fair health, the third-best rate in this profile and well below the national average of 18%.

Healthiest county in the region

Lamar County ranks among Mississippi's top health performers, with the highest life expectancy and lowest poor health rates in this eight-county analysis. The 13.1% uninsured rate is below the state average of 13.9%, contributing to strong healthcare access.

Outpaces all neighbors on lifespan and wellness

Lamar County residents live 6+ years longer than Lawrence (70.3 years) and Leake (71.2 years), and outrank all peers except Lafayette on self-reported health. The county's 124 primary care providers per 100K is the region's highest, enabling robust preventive and routine care.

Best-in-region primary care, high provider access

Lamar County's 124 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is double that of most neighbors and enables residents to access timely preventive care and routine check-ups. At 13.1% uninsured, nearly 9 in 10 residents have active coverage, strengthening their ability to use available services.

Lamar's excellence depends on your coverage

With the region's best doctor-to-patient ratio and outstanding health outcomes, Lamar County's success is built on residents who stay insured. If you're uninsured or unsure of your coverage, check your Medicaid and marketplace eligibility today to fully access this county's healthcare leadership.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lamar County

via RiskByCounty

Lamar County faces above-average storm risk

With a composite risk score of 64.98, Lamar County ranks above the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating despite significant wildfire (81.58) and hurricane (89.03) exposure. The county's risk profile is driven by southern Mississippi's exposure to tropical and fire weather systems.

Mid-to-high risk among Mississippi counties

Lamar County's 64.98 composite score places it well above Mississippi's 50.94 average, ranking it in the state's elevated risk category. Wildfire and hurricane exposure particularly distinguish Lamar from state peers.

Wildfire exposure exceeds neighbors

Lamar County's wildfire risk (81.58) significantly exceeds nearby Jefferson Davis County (56.74) and Lawrence County (54.13), reflecting the county's ecosystem and fire weather patterns. Overall composite risk (64.98) aligns closely with Leake County (55.69).

Wildfire and hurricanes dominate hazard landscape

Wildfire risk tops the list at 81.58, followed by hurricane risk at 89.03—both well above state averages and reflecting southern Mississippi's exposure to tropical systems and fire seasons. Tornado risk (73.79) and flood risk (62.12) also merit serious preparedness investment.

Defend against fire and wind now

Lamar County residents should create defensible space around homes, clear gutters, and trim vegetation to mitigate wildfire spread. Comprehensive wind and flood coverage are essential; pair these with regular property maintenance and emergency supply stockpiles for hurricane season.

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.