CountyScore

Lee County

Mississippi · MS

#62 in Mississippi
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Lee County, Mississippi

Lee County outperforms national median

Lee County's composite score of 65.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This 30% advantage over the national baseline reflects a livability profile stronger than most American communities, driven by tax efficiency and housing affordability.

Slightly below Mississippi's middle

Lee County ranks in the middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties with a composite score of 65.1, just 2.4 points below the state average of 67.5. It holds its own regionally but has room to improve on state peers.

Tax efficiency and affordable housing shine

Lee County excels in tax burden (82.0) and housing affordability (77.3), with an effective tax rate of just 0.722% and median home values of $187,800. Health outcomes also perform respectably at 60.1, supporting a reasonable quality of life for residents.

Income and risk lag significantly

The county's income score of 27.2 reflects a median household income of $67,144—well below what many residents might aspire to. Risk indicators score just 18.7, suggesting environmental or economic vulnerabilities that warrant attention for families considering relocation.

Best for cost-conscious, tax-aware residents

Lee County suits budget-minded families and retirees who prioritize low taxes and affordable housing over high wages. Those with stable incomes from elsewhere will find this county's low cost of living and tax-friendly environment particularly attractive.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82Cost77.3SafetyComing SoonHealth60.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.2Risk18.7WaterComing Soon
🏛82
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡18.7
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 Lee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Houston County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $80,743
Tift County
Georgia
65.1
Median income: $53,165
Christian County
Kentucky
65.1
Median income: $54,190
Berrien County
Michigan
65.1
Median income: $63,152
Madison County
Mississippi
65.1
Median income: $78,794

Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lee County

via TaxByCounty

Lee County taxes far below national average

Lee County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 0.722%, roughly one-quarter the national median of 2.1%. At $1,356 in median annual property tax, residents here pay about half what the typical American household pays, placing the county well below the national median of $2,690.

Lee ranks middle-of-pack statewide

Lee County's 0.722% effective rate sits slightly below Mississippi's average of 0.743%, indicating residents face slightly lower tax burdens than typical Mississippi homeowners. The county's median property tax of $1,356 exceeds the state median of $931, reflecting higher home values in the area.

Lee taxes competitive with regional peers

Lee County's rate of 0.722% is lower than nearby Lincoln County (0.717%) and closely tracks Lowndes County (0.640%) and Marion County (0.744%). While home values vary across the region, Lee's tax burden remains moderate compared to faster-growing Madison County (0.723%).

Median homeowner pays $1,356 yearly

On the median Lee County home valued at $187,800, homeowners owe approximately $1,356 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure climbs to $1,537; owners without mortgages pay around $966.

You may be overassessed—appeal today

Many Mississippi property owners pay taxes on inflated assessments and never challenge them. If you believe your Lee County home is overvalued, you can file an appeal with the county assessor's office—often recovering hundreds in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lee County

via CostByCounty

Lee County rents eat less of paychecks

Lee County renters spend 16.6% of their income on rent, well below the national norm and nearly 3 percentage points better than Mississippi's state average of 19.6%. At $929 monthly, rent here is higher than the state median of $782, yet remains affordable relative to local incomes.

Middle-of-pack affordability statewide

Lee County ranks solidly among Mississippi's more affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average. The county's $67,144 median household income is the strongest in this eight-county region, providing stronger cushion against housing costs.

Higher rents, stronger incomes

Lee County's $929 rent is the highest among its peer counties, but locals also earn more—$67,144 versus Lincoln's $48,316 or Lowndes's $54,460. This income advantage makes Lee's steeper rents manageable compared to neighboring counties where wages lag behind housing costs.

Renters and owners balance fairly well

A Lee County renter spending $929 monthly sees that represent 16.6% of their $67,144 yearly income, leaving substantial room for other expenses. Homeowners paying $943 monthly in costs benefit from modest median home values of $187,800, making both pathways reasonably accessible.

Relocating to Lee County makes sense

If housing affordability matters, Lee County delivers: rents and mortgages are lower than national averages while local wages beat Mississippi's state median. Compare these numbers to your current housing burden—you might find meaningful savings here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lee County earns above the national baseline

Lee County's median household income of $67,144 sits below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $7,611. Still, Lee County households earn meaningfully more than Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, putting the county in a stronger position than most of its peers.

Top-tier income ranking statewide

Lee County ranks among Mississippi's highest-earning counties, with median household income significantly above the state average of $48,514. Per capita income of $33,713 also exceeds the state average of $27,136, reflecting a more affluent and economically stable population.

Lee County leads its regional peers

Lee County's $67,144 median household income outpaces neighboring Lowndes County ($54,460) and Monroe County ($51,231), establishing it as a regional economic hub. The county's per capita income of $33,713 also surpasses these neighbors, suggesting stronger wealth accumulation across households.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Lee County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.6% falls well below the national affordability threshold of 28%, meaning housing costs consume a modest portion of household earnings. With a median home value of $187,800 relative to median household income, homeownership remains accessible for many families.

Build on Lee County's economic strength

With median household income outpacing state averages and reasonable housing costs, Lee County residents have room to invest surplus income in retirement accounts, education, and wealth-building assets. Financial advisors recommend households earning above regional medians prioritize emergency savings and diversified investments to compound gains over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lee County

via HealthByCounty

Lee County's health advantage

At 72.1 years, Lee County residents live 4.4 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.5 years, putting the county below the national benchmark. The 21.7% rate of residents reporting poor or fair health exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling persistent health challenges despite moderate life expectancy gains.

Above average within Mississippi

Lee County's 72.1-year life expectancy ranks above Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years, positioning it in the healthier half of the state. The county's 21.7% poor/fair health rate is slightly below the state median, suggesting relatively stable community health status.

Stronger primary care access

Lee County offers 118 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly triple the supply in neighboring Marshall County (15 per 100K) and substantially higher than Lincoln County (40 per 100K). Mental health capacity also stands strong at 858 providers per 100K, far exceeding regional peers.

Insurance and access reality

Lee County's 13.0% uninsured rate sits just below the state average of 13.9%, meaning roughly 1 in 8 residents lack health coverage. With 118 primary care providers per 100K, residents have better-than-average access to routine care, though some rural pockets may still face barriers.

Check your coverage options

If you're among the 13% of Lee County residents without insurance, explore marketplace plans at Healthcare.gov or contact your local health department about Medicaid eligibility. Taking stock of your current coverage now can prevent gaps in care and protect your financial health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lee County

via RiskByCounty

Lee County faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 81.27, Lee County ranks in the relatively moderate category—significantly higher than the national average. This score reflects serious exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly earthquakes and tornadoes, that demand preparedness attention.

Among Mississippi's highest-risk counties

Lee County's score of 81.27 far exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the upper tier of disaster risk across the state. This elevated standing reflects the county's particular vulnerability to seismic and severe convective hazards.

Notably riskier than nearby Tupelo region

Lee County's 81.27 score substantially exceeds neighboring Monroe County (68.54) and Marshall County (71.18), making it the riskiest in its immediate area. The primary driver of this difference is Lee's exceptionally high earthquake risk of 93.38, well above the region's typical exposure.

Earthquakes and tornadoes are your main threats

Lee County faces an earthquake risk score of 93.38 and tornado risk of 86.77—the two hazards most likely to affect the county. Earthquake activity, though infrequent, can cause significant structural damage, while tornadoes pose an annual threat during spring and early summer months.

Get earthquake and wind insurance now

Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake coverage essential for Lee County residents. Adding comprehensive wind coverage and confirming flood insurance eligibility will provide the protection your county's hazard profile demands.

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.