CountyScore

Lincoln County

Mississippi · MS

#28 in Mississippi
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Mississippi

Lincoln County ranks among U.S. leaders

Lincoln County's composite score of 69.3 places it nearly 40% above the national median of 50.0, ranking in the upper 35th percentile of American counties. This performance reflects a genuinely livable community by national standards.

Mississippi's strongest performer here

Lincoln County ranks above the Mississippi state average of 67.5 with a score of 69.3, placing it among the top tier of livable counties in the state. It stands out as one of the most well-rounded communities in Mississippi's portfolio.

Exceptional balance of tax and housing

Lincoln County excels in tax efficiency (82.1) and housing affordability (86.6), with a 0.717% effective tax rate and median home values of $131,800. The county also posts a notably strong risk score of 51.6, suggesting lower environmental or economic volatility than peers.

Income growth lags regional needs

The county's income score of 14.9 reflects a median household income of $48,316, limiting economic opportunity for job-seeking families. Health outcomes (57.5) are moderate but not exceptional, suggesting room for improvement in healthcare access or preventive services.

Ideal for stability-seeking families

Lincoln County suits families and retirees who value low taxes, affordable housing, and economic stability over maximum earning potential. Remote workers and those with outside income sources will find exceptional value; those dependent on local wages may face constraints.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.1Cost86.6SafetyComing SoonHealth57.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.9Risk51.6WaterComing Soon
🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.6
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 Lincoln County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County offers low national tax burden

Lincoln County's effective tax rate of 0.717% is roughly one-third the national median of 2.1%, placing residents among the lowest-taxed in America. At $945 annually, the median property tax bill remains well below the national median of $2,690.

Lincoln ranks below Mississippi average

Lincoln County's 0.717% effective rate falls slightly below Mississippi's 0.743% average, making it a relatively affordable county for property owners within the state. The median tax of $945 closely tracks the statewide median of $931.

Lincoln holds lowest rate in region

At 0.717%, Lincoln County ties with Lee County for the region's lowest effective property tax rate, slightly outpacing Lowndes (0.640%) and trailing Marion (0.744%). This consistency across the region's core counties suggests stable, affordable tax environments.

Median tax totals $945 per year

On a median Lincoln County home worth $131,800, homeowners owe approximately $945 in annual property tax. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $1,221; without, it drops to $818.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties, assessments sometimes overvalue properties and can be challenged. Filing an appeal with Lincoln County's assessor costs nothing and could identify hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln County leans toward affordability

Lincoln County renters spend 18.7% of income on rent, slightly above the national 16% benchmark but just below Mississippi's 19.6% state average. This narrow gap means housing here is reasonably accessible, though not quite as comfortable as the national standard.

Solid performer among Mississippi counties

Lincoln County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio places it in the middle tier of Mississippi affordability, beating seven of the eight counties in this region. The county's moderate median household income of $48,316 pairs with conservative rents to yield stable housing accessibility.

Competitive rents with mixed wages

Lincoln's $754 rent is among the lowest in this peer group, cheaper than Lee, Lowndes, and Marshall counties. However, Lincoln's $48,316 income lags Lee ($67,144) and Madison ($78,794), so relative affordability improves thanks to restraint on the rent side, not wage strength.

Renters win; homeowners win bigger

Renters pay $754 monthly (18.7% of income), but homeowners here get exceptional value: $549 monthly owner costs represent just 13.6% of income. Lincoln County offers the cheapest home ownership among all eight counties, making it attractive for those ready to buy.

Strong option for budget-conscious buyers

If homeownership is your goal, Lincoln County delivers: median home values of $131,800 with monthly costs of just $549 is hard to beat. Renters will find reasonable affordability too, making this county a solid middle-ground choice for those prioritizing stability over urban amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County trails national income benchmarks

Lincoln County's median household income of $48,316 falls $26,439 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it well below the national standard. However, the county matches Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, suggesting fairly typical economic conditions for the state.

Lincoln County sits at Mississippi's midpoint

At $48,316 in median household income, Lincoln County essentially mirrors Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. Per capita income of $26,925 tracks closely with the state average of $27,136, indicating a household income distribution typical for Mississippi.

Lincoln County anchors the regional middle

Lincoln County's median household income of $48,316 sits between lower-earning Marion County ($42,320) and higher-earning Lowndes County ($54,460), positioning it as a regional median earner. The county's $26,925 per capita income also falls in the middle of regional comparables.

Housing costs at moderate threshold

Lincoln County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.7% comfortably sits below the 28% affordability threshold, meaning housing expenses remain reasonable relative to household earnings. At a median home value of $131,800, the county offers an accessible homeownership market for working families.

Stabilize income while exploring growth paths

Lincoln County's middle-tier income position leaves households with modest room to save after essentials, making targeted investment in skills and career advancement particularly valuable. Building professional networks, pursuing certifications, and seeking higher-wage employment can help households move above state and county averages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln County above national baseline

Lincoln County residents live 71.7 years on average, falling 4.8 years short of the U.S. life expectancy of 76.5 years. The county's 23.3% rate of poor or fair health exceeds the national average of 18%, suggesting chronic disease and limited preventive care reach many residents.

Slightly better than state average

At 71.7 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy edges above Mississippi's 70.9-year average by less than a year. The county's 23.3% poor/fair health rate sits in the middle range statewide, indicating moderate health challenges within the state context.

Primary care access is limited

Lincoln County offers 40 primary care providers per 100K residents, half the rate in Lee County and substantially below the state's healthier counties. Mental health capacity stands at just 147 per 100K, leaving many residents without adequate behavioral health support.

Insurance matches state average

Lincoln County's 13.9% uninsured rate matches the Mississippi state average exactly, affecting roughly 1 in 7 residents. Limited primary care access compounds coverage gaps—even insured residents struggle to find nearby providers for routine checkups.

Secure coverage before you need it

With 14% of Lincoln County residents uninsured, now is the time to explore marketplace plans at Healthcare.gov or apply for Medicaid. Establishing care with a provider now ensures you won't face delays when illness strikes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln County is Mississippi's lower-risk outlier

With a composite risk score of 48.44, Lincoln County rates in the relatively low category and actually sits below the national average. This makes it one of Mississippi's safest counties despite still facing meaningful exposure to hurricanes and wildfires.

Among Mississippi's safer counties

Lincoln County's score of 48.44 falls just below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it among the lower-risk areas statewide. This below-average standing is relatively unusual in Mississippi and reflects more balanced, moderate hazard exposure across multiple categories.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Lincoln County's 48.44 score is substantially lower than Marion County (59.96), Monroe County (68.54), and Marshall County (71.18), making it clearly the safest in its region. This advantage stems from notably lower earthquake risk and more moderate flood and tornado exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires are your key concerns

Lincoln County's hurricane risk reaches 79.64 and wildfire risk sits at 62.21, representing the two most significant hazards residents face. While tornado risk remains moderate at 78.50, hurricanes pose the greatest annual threat, particularly during late summer and fall.

Focus on wind and wildfire protection

Ensure your homeowners policy includes comprehensive wind coverage for hurricane protection, and review your property's defensible space around structures to mitigate wildfire risk. Flood insurance may also be wise depending on your specific property location within the county.

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.