CountyScore

Lawrence County

Mississippi · MS

#25 in Mississippi
69.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lawrence County, Mississippi

Well above national livability average

Lawrence County scores 69.5 out of 100, placing it nearly 40 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. This strong performance ranks it among more livable counties nationwide.

Outpaces Mississippi state average

Lawrence County scores 69.5, exceeding Mississippi's state average of 67.5 and placing it in the stronger tier of the state's counties. This positioning reflects better-than-typical livability for Mississippi communities.

Affordability and stability shine

The county excels in cost (85.0) with median rents of $835/month and home values of $104,600, plus a strong risk score of 75.0 signaling good economic and environmental stability. Its tax score of 82.6 keeps government costs reasonable.

Income and health need bolstering

Lawrence County's income score of 11.7 reflects a median household income of just $43,368, limiting wealth accumulation. Its health score of 53.3 is the lowest among these eight counties, suggesting healthcare access or wellness outcomes lag behind.

Ideal for cost-conscious, stable families

Lawrence County suits budget-focused families and retirees seeking strong environmental and economic stability without high earning potential. It's a solid choice for those prioritizing low housing costs and financial security over healthcare amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.6Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth53.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.7Risk75WaterComing Soon
🏛82.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75
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 Lawrence County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Carroll County
Arkansas
69.5
Median income: $55,187
Burke County
Georgia
69.5
Median income: $50,739
Henderson County
Illinois
69.5
Median income: $65,651
Hamilton County
Iowa
69.5
Median income: $71,750
Coffey County
Kansas
69.5
Median income: $67,377

Deep Dives

Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lawrence County

via TaxByCounty

Lawrence taxes remain minimal nationally

Lawrence County's effective tax rate of 0.700% is less than one-third the national median of 2.6%, ensuring modest tax obligations. The median annual property tax of $732 represents just 27% of the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below state average

Lawrence County's 0.700% effective rate sits just below Mississippi's 0.743% state average, making it tax-competitive statewide. The median property tax of $732 falls below the state median of $931.

Affordable rate in mid-range sample

Lawrence County's 0.700% effective rate places it in the affordable tier regionally, below the sample average. The median home value of $104,600 and moderate tax rate combine to keep annual bills around $732.

Median home: roughly $732 yearly

A homeowner with the county's median-valued property of $104,600 pays approximately $732 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $1,172, while owners without mortgages pay $556.

Assess your property's tax 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 Lawrence County

via CostByCounty

Tight affordability despite low rent prices

Lawrence County's 23.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this eight-county set, driven by $835 monthly rents on a compressed median household income of $43,368. Though rents appear modest nationally, local earning power makes housing consume a larger share of income here than in most American counties.

Among state's least affordable counties

Lawrence County ranks as one of Mississippi's least affordable housing markets, with a 23.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state's 19.6% average. The median rent of $835 runs 6.8% above the state average, but the median income of $43,368 is so depressed that affordability becomes acute.

High rents on low incomes create strain

Lawrence County renters pay $835 monthly—more than Jefferson Davis ($695) and Kemper ($470), but less than Lauderdale ($897). The burden, however, is steeper because Lawrence County's $43,368 median income ranks among the lowest in this dataset, making relative affordability worse than the nominal prices suggest.

Housing crisis for lowest-income county

The typical Lawrence County renter spends $835 of a $3,614 monthly income on housing, consuming 23.1%—exceeding comfortable affordability. Even homeowners with $552 monthly mortgages spend 15.3% of income on housing, indicating that Lawrence County residents across both groups face significant affordability strain.

Affordability concerns despite low nominal costs

Lawrence County's low rents ($835) appeal to budget-conscious movers, but the depressed median income ($43,368) signals limited economic opportunity. Unless you bring remote income, consider whether local job prospects can sustain your household before relocating to Lawrence County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lawrence County

via IncomeByCounty

Income gap widens significantly nationally

Lawrence County's median household income of $43,368 represents just 58% of the national median of $74,755, a shortfall of $31,387 per household annually. This substantial gap underscores the county's position at the lower end of the national income distribution, typical of economically stressed rural areas.

Below state average, lower-tier ranking

At $43,368, Lawrence County trails Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $5,146, placing it in the lower third of the state's 82 counties. The county faces economic challenges reflected in below-average earning capacity across its workforce.

Among the lowest in regional cohort

Lawrence County's $43,368 edges marginally above Jefferson Davis County ($37,183) and matches closely with Kemper County ($43,595), but trails Leake County ($48,418), Lauderdale County ($50,033), and all stronger performers. The county sits in the bottom tier of this peer group.

High rent burden strains tight budgets

Lawrence County's rent-to-income ratio of 23.1%—the second-highest in this cohort—signals housing costs consume substantial household resources. Combined with modest median home value of $104,600, the high ratio indicates limited surplus income for savings, healthcare, or essential services.

Focus on stability, skill-building first

Lawrence County households facing housing cost pressure should prioritize modest emergency reserves and resist debt accumulation. Invest in workforce training, certifications, and job-seeking support to increase earning potential and create breathing room for long-term wealth strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lawrence County

via HealthByCounty

Lawrence faces significant health challenges

Lawrence County residents live to just 70.3 years, the lowest in this eight-county profile and below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by half a year. A striking 27.4% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among all counties analyzed and half again the national average of 18%.

Lowest life expectancy in the region

Lawrence County ranks among Mississippi's least healthy regions, with life expectancy below the state average and the highest poor health rate in this analysis. The 13.3% uninsured rate is nearly at the state average of 13.9%, but insurance coverage has not translated into better health outcomes.

Shortest lifespan, fewest providers nearby

Lawrence residents live significantly shorter lives than all regional neighbors, with a gap of nearly seven years compared to Lamar (77.2 years). The county's critical shortfall of just 17 primary care providers per 100K and 34 mental health providers leaves residents with limited access to preventive and mental health services.

Severe provider shortage compounds health struggles

Lawrence County's scarcity of primary care providers at just 17 per 100K and mental health providers at 34 per 100K means residents struggle to access even basic preventive care. Combined with a 13.3% uninsured rate, these access barriers likely contribute to the county's alarmingly high poor health report rate.

Coverage is critical in underserved Lawrence

In a county with acute provider shortages, having active insurance is essential—it enables you to access care in neighboring areas and ensures you're not turned away due to lack of coverage. Check your Medicaid and marketplace eligibility immediately to maximize your access to available care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lawrence County

via RiskByCounty

Lawrence County ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 25.00 and a Very Low rating, Lawrence County is substantially safer than the national average for natural disasters. The county's low flood risk (28.34) helps anchor an overall profile that's protective for residents.

Among Mississippi's safest counties

Lawrence County's 25.00 composite score is well below Mississippi's 50.94 average, placing it in the state's lowest-risk tier. Only Kemper County (14.92) registers lower overall natural disaster exposure statewide.

Safer than most regional peers

Lawrence County's 25.00 risk score places it well below Leake County (55.69), Lafayette County (64.44), and Lamar County (64.98), though it ranks slightly higher than Kemper County (14.92). The county benefits from a relatively balanced hazard profile without any single dominant threat.

Hurricane exposure is noteworthy secondary threat

Hurricane risk scores 78.18 in Lawrence County, marking it as the most significant natural hazard despite the county's overall very low composite risk. Wildfire (54.13), tornado (56.27), and earthquake (41.28) risks all remain modest by national standards.

Standard insurance sufficient with attention to wind

Lawrence County residents can rely on standard homeowners policies as a solid foundation for most hazards given the county's very low overall risk. Consider adding wind and flood riders as supplemental coverage, particularly in mapped flood zones or areas exposed to tropical systems.

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.