CountyScore

Leflore County

Mississippi · MS

#80 in Mississippi
60.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Leflore County, Mississippi

Leflore County exceeds national average

Leflore County's composite score of 60.1 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 10 points, placing it solidly in the upper 40th percentile nationally. Despite regional economic challenges, the county offers livability fundamentals competitive with many U.S. communities.

Below state average but competitive

Leflore County ranks in the lower-middle of Mississippi's 82 counties with a score of 60.1, trailing the state average of 67.5 by 7.4 points. It faces steeper challenges than most Mississippi peers but remains viable for certain demographics.

Exceptional housing affordability leads

Leflore County's greatest asset is housing affordability (84.9), with median home values of just $98,200 and median rent of $701/month—among the lowest in the state. Tax burden also favors residents at 72.6, creating a genuinely low-cost living environment.

Income and health need attention

The county's income score of just 5.1 reflects a median household income of $33,188—roughly 40% below the state typical and among Mississippi's most economically challenged counties. Health outcomes (44.0) also rank below regional norms, indicating public health infrastructure gaps.

For those seeking lowest possible cost

Leflore County is ideally suited for retirees on fixed incomes, remote workers, or those relocating with established income from outside the area. The trade-off is limited local job opportunities and below-average health infrastructure—factors that matter most to those who depend on local employment or services.

Score breakdown

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

Tax72.6Cost84.9SafetyComing SoonHealth44SchoolsComing SoonIncome5.1Risk26.5WaterComing Soon
🏛72.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼5.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤44
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.5
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 Leflore County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Madera County
California
60.1
Median income: $75,496
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Connecticut
60.1
Median income: $101,117
Manatee County
Florida
60.1
Median income: $75,792
Liberty County
Georgia
60.1
Median income: $59,013
Hennepin County
Minnesota
60.1
Median income: $96,339

Deep Dives

Leflore County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Leflore County

via TaxByCounty

Leflore's tax rate ranks high for Mississippi

At 1.056%, Leflore County's effective property tax rate is notably higher than the national median of 2.1%, though this still reflects the broader affordability of Mississippi's tax system. Despite lower home values, Leflore residents pay $1,037 annually in property tax—less than the national median of $2,690 but significantly more than most Mississippi neighbors.

Leflore tops most Mississippi counties in rate

Leflore County's 1.056% effective rate substantially exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of 0.743%, making it one of the state's higher-taxed counties. The median property tax of $1,037 also surpasses the state median of $931, despite Leflore's lower median home value of $98,200.

Leflore taxes significantly higher than region

Leflore's 1.056% rate stands well above comparable counties like Lee (0.722%), Lincoln (0.717%), and Lowndes (0.640%). This means Leflore residents face the steepest tax burden among the region's eight counties, even accounting for lower property values.

Median home tax runs $1,037 annually

On a median Leflore County home valued at $98,200, property taxes amount to roughly $1,037 per year. With a mortgage, taxes climb to $1,490; without, they drop to $821.

Assessment appeal could lower your burden

Given Leflore's higher-than-average effective rate, reassessing your home's value is especially worthwhile. Many properties are overvalued on tax rolls, and filing an appeal with the county assessor can return meaningful savings to your household budget.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Leflore County

via CostByCounty

Leflore County faces affordability crisis

Leflore County renters spend 25.4% of their income on rent—far exceeding the 16% national benchmark and well above Mississippi's 19.6% state average. With median household income at just $33,188, housing costs consume roughly a quarter of annual earnings, leaving little for food, healthcare, or savings.

Among Mississippi's least affordable counties

Leflore County's 25.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the worst in Mississippi, driven by the state's lowest median household income in this eight-county region. The affordability squeeze here is acute: wages lag while housing demands outpace regional and national norms.

Lowest income, highest housing burden

Leflore's $33,188 median income is dramatically lower than Lee County's $67,144 and even undercuts Marion County's $42,320. Although rent is relatively cheap at $701 monthly, the wage gap means housing consumes a far larger share of household budgets here than anywhere else in this peer group.

Housing dominates household budgets

At $701 monthly, Leflore rent is among the region's cheapest, yet it still claims 25.4% of a resident's $33,188 annual income. Homeowners fare slightly better at $724 monthly, but that figure still represents 26.2% of income—unsustainable by housing-affordability standards.

Leflore demands higher wages elsewhere

Housing here is cheap but incomes are too low to make that advantage matter; renters spend far too much of limited earnings on shelter. If you're considering relocation, seek counties like Lee or Madison where wages are stronger and housing costs represent a smaller portion of total income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Leflore County

via IncomeByCounty

Leflore County faces significant income challenge

Leflore County's median household income of $33,188 falls dramatically short of the national median of $74,755—a shortfall of $41,567. This gap reflects economic headwinds that require targeted intervention and workforce development to narrow.

Leflore County ranks lowest statewide

Leflore County's median household income of $33,188 sits 31% below Mississippi's already-low state average of $48,514, making it one of the state's lowest-earning counties. Per capita income of $22,303 also trails the state average of $27,136, indicating widespread economic stress.

Economic gap widens toward stronger counties

Leflore County's $33,188 median household income lags significantly behind neighboring Lowndes County ($54,460) and Marshall County ($51,875), a gap of $18,000–$21,000 per household. This disparity suggests unequal access to employment, education, and economic opportunity across the region.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Leflore County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.4% approaches the national affordability threshold, meaning housing consumes a disproportionate share of limited household earnings. At a median home value of $98,200 relative to median income, homeownership becomes difficult for many families already stretched thin.

Prioritize financial stability and skill-building

Leflore County residents face tight budget constraints, making foundational financial habits—emergency savings, debt reduction, and protective insurance—essential starting points. Community programs focused on financial literacy and job training can help households build pathways to higher-wage employment and long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Leflore County

via HealthByCounty

Leflore faces severe health crisis

At 65.6 years, Leflore County's life expectancy is among the lowest in Mississippi and trails the U.S. average of 76.5 years by over a decade. The county's 34.5% rate of poor or fair health is nearly double the national average of 18%, indicating a population grappling with chronic disease and limited wellness resources.

Ranks lowest in state health

Leflore County's 65.6-year life expectancy ranks significantly below Mississippi's 70.9-year average, placing it among the state's most vulnerable counties. At 34.5% poor/fair health, residents here report the highest health burden across the surveyed counties, reflecting deep structural inequities.

Provider shortage compounds crisis

Leflore County has just 80 primary care providers per 100K residents—far below Lee County's 118—and mental health capacity of 538 per 100K ranks lowest among peer counties. This scarcity means residents often travel long distances for basic healthcare or delay seeking care altogether.

Navigating healthcare access

Leflore County's 12.4% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average, yet provider shortages remain the primary barrier to care—finding an available appointment often requires waiting weeks. The combination of few doctors, high disease burden, and limited mental health support creates a healthcare emergency for many residents.

Ensure you're covered and connected

Check your insurance status today at Healthcare.gov or contact Mississippi Medicaid for enrollment; 12% of Leflore residents remain uninsured. If you're covered, connect with available providers now rather than waiting for a crisis—waiting lists in this county are long.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Leflore County

via RiskByCounty

Leflore County carries moderate national risk

Leflore County's composite risk score of 73.51 places it in the relatively low category nationally, though notably driven by specific hazards rather than widespread exposure. The score reflects concentrated vulnerability to tornadoes and earthquakes rather than broad multi-hazard risk.

Above-average risk within Mississippi

At 73.51, Leflore County's score exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94 by a substantial margin. This elevated ranking reflects the county's particular susceptibility to strong tornadoes and seismic activity, placing it in the middle-upper range statewide.

Riskier than most neighboring counties

Leflore County's 73.51 score surpasses Lincoln County (48.44) and Monroe County (68.54), making it one of the region's more vulnerable areas. The key differentiator is Leflore's tornado risk of 88.71, among the highest in the state.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate your profile

Leflore County faces a tornado risk of 88.71 and earthquake risk of 88.01, representing the dual hazards that drive the county's composite score. Both pose significant threats annually, with tornadoes appearing during severe weather season and earthquakes presenting long-term structural concerns.

Prioritize tornado and earthquake preparation

Strengthen your home's structural integrity and ensure your homeowners policy covers wind damage from tornadoes—critical protection for Leflore County. Add earthquake coverage separately, as standard policies don't include seismic damage, and verify your home meets current building codes.

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.