CountyScore

Lowndes County

Mississippi · MS

#51 in Mississippi
66.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Lowndes County, Mississippi

Lowndes County beats national norm

Lowndes County's composite score of 66.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 32%, placing it in the upper 40th percentile of U.S. counties. The county delivers above-average livability across multiple dimensions compared to the American baseline.

Marginally below state average

Lowndes County scores 66.3 versus Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it just slightly below the middle tier of the state's 82 counties. It performs comparably to its regional neighbors with room for modest improvement.

Lowest tax burden in this cohort

Lowndes County boasts the lowest effective tax rate at 0.640% with a tax score of 84.3, combined with solid housing affordability (79.3) and median home values of $157,400. Health outcomes are also strong at 62.4, the highest among this peer group.

Income remains area of concern

The county's income score of 18.9 reflects a median household income of $54,460, limiting wealth-building potential compared to more prosperous regions. Risk indicators at 19.1 suggest environmental or economic vulnerabilities that could impact long-term stability.

Perfect for tax-conscious families

Lowndes County is designed for families and professionals prioritizing low taxes and good health outcomes while maintaining modest incomes. The county's combination of tax efficiency and reasonable housing costs makes it attractive to those seeking maximum disposable income through tax savings.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.3Cost79.3SafetyComing SoonHealth62.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.9Risk19.1WaterComing Soon
🏛84.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡19.1
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 Lowndes County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lassen County
California
66.3
Median income: $64,395
Screven County
Georgia
66.3
Median income: $53,017
St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana
66.3
Median income: $57,638
Shiawassee County
Michigan
66.3
Median income: $64,464
Sharkey County
Mississippi
66.3
Median income: $35,741

Deep Dives

Lowndes County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lowndes County

via TaxByCounty

Lowndes offers among lowest U.S. tax rates

Lowndes County's effective property tax rate of 0.640% ranks among the nation's most affordable, roughly one-third the national median of 2.1%. At $1,008 annually, the median property tax stays well under the national median of $2,690.

Lowndes taxes below state average

Lowndes County's 0.640% effective rate sits noticeably below Mississippi's 0.743% average, making it one of the state's more tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $1,008 exceeds the state median of $931, reflecting stronger median home values of $157,400.

Lowndes leads region with lowest rate

Lowndes County's 0.640% effective rate is the lowest among all eight counties in this group, edging out Lee (0.722%) and Lincoln (0.717%). This advantage underscores Lowndes's position as a particularly affordable jurisdiction within the region.

Median homeowner pays $1,008 yearly

On the median Lowndes County home valued at $157,400, property taxes amount to approximately $1,008 per year. With a mortgage, this climbs to $1,083; without, it falls to $779.

Appeal your assessment for potential savings

Even the lowest-taxed counties contain overassessed properties on the rolls. Requesting a reassessment from Lowndes County's assessor is straightforward and often yields refunds on overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lowndes County

via CostByCounty

Lowndes County edges above national standard

Lowndes County renters spend 20.0% of income on rent, exceeding the national 16% benchmark and slightly above Mississippi's 19.6% state average. At $909 monthly, rents here run higher than state median but remain manageable for the county's $54,460 median income.

Middle-to-tight ranking statewide

Lowndes County's 20.0% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above the state average, ranking it in the mid-tier of Mississippi affordability. The county performs better than Leflore and Marshall on this metric, but trails Lee, Lincoln, Monroe, and Marion.

Higher rents, middling incomes

Lowndes's $909 rent is among the priciest in this eight-county region—second only to Madison—yet local incomes of $54,460 are moderate at best. This mismatch pushes housing costs higher as a percentage of income compared to neighbors with lower rents or stronger wages.

Balanced burden on renters and owners

Renters dedicate 20.0% of their $54,460 income to $909 monthly rent, while homeowners spend $834 on properties valued at $157,400. Both households commit roughly one-fifth of income to housing, leaving reasonable room for other necessities.

Lowndes works for stable middle-income households

Lowndes County suits renters and owners earning around $50,000–$60,000 who want accessible urban amenities without extreme affordability pressure. Compare your current housing-cost burden: if you're paying more than 20% in a high-cost area, Lowndes may offer real relief.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lowndes County

via IncomeByCounty

Lowndes County approaches national income parity

Lowndes County's median household income of $54,460 falls $20,295 short of the national median of $74,755, but exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514 by $5,946. The county represents a bridge between state-level poverty and national norms.

Lowndes County ranks in upper-middle tier

Lowndes County's median household income of $54,460 ranks above Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, placing it solidly in the state's upper-middle tier of earners. Per capita income of $30,771 also exceeds the state average of $27,136, reflecting greater wealth distribution.

Lowndes County leads neighboring counties

Lowndes County's median household income of $54,460 outpaces Marion County ($42,320) by $12,140 and trails Lee County ($67,144) by $12,684, establishing it as a strong regional performer. The county's per capita income of $30,771 also ranks above most immediate neighbors.

Housing costs remain well-managed

Lowndes County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% sits comfortably below the 28% affordability threshold, indicating housing expenses remain sustainable relative to earnings. With median home values at $157,400, the homeownership market remains accessible to moderate-income households.

Leverage stability to build long-term wealth

Lowndes County's above-average income position and reasonable housing costs create space for households to prioritize retirement savings and investment diversification. Families earning above state averages should consider tax-advantaged retirement accounts and portfolio strategies to capitalize on their economic advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lowndes County

via HealthByCounty

Lowndes County outpaces nation

At 72.5 years, Lowndes County's life expectancy exceeds Mississippi's average but remains 4 years below the U.S. average of 76.5 years. The county's 21.3% poor/fair health rate is above the national average of 18%, indicating room for improvement in chronic disease management.

Among Mississippi's healthier counties

Lowndes County's 72.5-year life expectancy ranks above Mississippi's 70.9-year state average, placing it solidly in the healthier half of the state. The 21.3% poor/fair health rate is below the state median, reflecting relatively stronger population health outcomes.

Moderate provider availability

Lowndes County has 48 primary care providers per 100K residents, matching Lincoln County but falling well short of Lee County's 118 per 100K. Mental health capacity at 295 per 100K ranks midway among peer counties, suggesting adequate but not robust behavioral health access.

Lowest uninsured rate in region

At 11.3% uninsured, Lowndes County has the lowest rate among the surveyed counties and beats the state average of 13.9%, meaning most residents have insurance coverage. However, provider scarcity means having insurance doesn't guarantee quick access to care.

Maintain your coverage advantage

Lowndes County's strong insurance enrollment sets it apart—protect this by reviewing your plan annually and updating information with your insurer. If you're among the 11% without coverage, visit Healthcare.gov to explore affordable marketplace options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lowndes County

via RiskByCounty

Lowndes County faces elevated composite risk

Lowndes County's composite risk score of 80.92 places it in the relatively low national category, yet this number masks significant exposure to specific high-impact hazards. The score represents considerable vulnerability concentrated in tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods.

Among Mississippi's highest-risk counties

At 80.92, Lowndes County's score substantially exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it firmly in the upper tier of statewide risk. This elevated standing reflects the county's distinctive profile of strong tornado exposure and significant seismic vulnerability.

Riskier than all adjacent counties

Lowndes County's 80.92 score far exceeds Monroe County (68.54), Lee County (81.27 is slightly higher), and Marshall County (71.18), positioning it as the region's most hazardous location. The critical difference lies in Lowndes' exceptionally high tornado risk of 90.97, among the state's worst.

Tornadoes and earthquakes pose extreme threats

Lowndes County experiences a tornado risk of 90.97 and earthquake risk of 88.64, representing the two hazards most likely to cause significant damage. Additionally, flood risk reaches 78.15, making the county vulnerable during heavy rainfall and severe weather events.

Secure comprehensive hazard coverage today

Lowndes County residents must ensure homeowners policies include robust wind coverage for tornado protection and purchase separate earthquake insurance immediately. Verify flood insurance eligibility, particularly if your property lies in or near a flood zone, to protect against the county's serious water-related risks.

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.