CountyScore

Marion County

Mississippi · MS

#50 in Mississippi
66.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Mississippi

Marion County tops national median

Marion County's composite score of 66.5 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 33%, positioning it in the upper 40th percentile of U.S. counties. The county delivers solid livability comparable to most American communities.

Slightly below Mississippi average

Marion County scores 66.5 versus Mississippi's state average of 67.5, placing it just barely below the middle of the state's 82 counties. It remains competitive with regional peers despite modest performance gaps.

Outstanding housing affordability shines

Marion County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 86.4—among the highest in the group—featuring median home values of $117,000 and monthly rent of $700. Tax burden is also favorable at 81.4, supporting low overall cost of living.

Income and health need improvement

The county's income score of 11.0 reflects a median household income of $42,320, one of the state's lowest. Health outcomes (52.2) and risk indicators (40.1) both lag, suggesting public health and economic stability concerns.

For budget-minded, self-sufficient households

Marion County suits retirees and remote workers who need minimal local income and prioritize ultra-low housing costs. Those dependent on local employment or requiring robust healthcare services should look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.4Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth52.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome11Risk40.1WaterComing Soon
🏛81.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡40.1
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 Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Georgia
66.5
Median income: $49,559
Monroe County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $101,635
White County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $53,097
Cass County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $61,657
Crawford County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $65,039

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion's tax rate ranks low nationally

Marion County's effective tax rate of 0.744% is roughly one-third the national median of 2.1%, offering residents one of America's most affordable property tax environments. At $870 annually, the median property tax remains far below the national median of $2,690.

Marion essentially matches state average

Marion County's 0.744% effective rate essentially mirrors Mississippi's 0.743% statewide average, making it perfectly representative of the state's typical tax burden. The median property tax of $870 sits slightly below the state median of $931.

Marion rate tracks regional standard

Marion County's 0.744% effective rate sits near the middle of the region, slightly above Lowndes (0.640%) and Lee (0.722%), and comparable to Marshall (0.747%). This positions Marion as a representative jurisdiction for Mississippi's tax climate.

Median tax bill averages $870 yearly

On a median Marion County home valued at $117,000, property taxes amount to approximately $870 per year. With a mortgage, this rises to $1,032; without, it drops to $731.

Review your assessment today

Even in modestly valued counties, assessments sometimes inflate property values and warrant challenges. Contact Marion County's assessor to request a reassessment if you suspect your home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion County barely meets national standard

Marion County renters spend 19.9% of income on rent, slightly above Mississippi's 19.6% state average and well above the 16% national benchmark. With median household income at $42,320, the county sits near the lower end of regional wages, making every rent dollar count more.

Lower tier of Mississippi affordability

Marion County's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average, ranking it among Mississippi's less affordable counties in this peer group. The combination of modest wages ($42,320) and relatively tight housing affordability marks Marion as a challenged market.

Low rents offset low wages modestly

Marion's $700 rent is among the cheapest here, but the $42,320 median income is also among the lowest, making affordability improvement marginal. Only Leflore earns less, and Marshall pays more in rent—leaving Marion caught in a difficult middle.

Tight margins for renters and owners

Renters paying $700 monthly dedicate 19.9% of their $42,320 income to housing, while homeowners commit $624 monthly (17.7% of income) on properties valued at $117,000. Both groups experience modest affordability, with limited cushion for unexpected costs.

Marion County requires careful budgeting

Marion works best for renters or modest-income buyers who keep expenses lean and prioritize affordability over space. If you're relocating, compare Marion's 19.9% burden to your current costs—you may find relief here only if you're currently spending 25% or more on housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion County significantly lags national income

Marion County's median household income of $42,320 trails the national median of $74,755 by $32,435, placing it well below typical American earnings. The gap to Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514 is also notable, with Marion County ranking among the state's lower-income counties.

Marion County ranks in lower-income tier

Marion County's median household income of $42,320 falls 12.7% below Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, positioning it among the state's lower-earning counties. Per capita income of $26,281 also trails the state average of $27,136, indicating limited per-person earning power.

Marion County faces economic disadvantage

Marion County's median household income of $42,320 ranks well below neighboring counties like Lowndes County ($54,460)—a gap of $12,140—and trails Monroe County ($51,231) by $8,911. These disparities suggest Marion County residents face steeper economic challenges than surrounding areas.

Housing costs consume significant share

Marion County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% approaches the upper comfort threshold, meaning housing consumes nearly a fifth of household earnings. With median home values at $117,000 relative to modest household income, homeownership requires careful financial planning.

Build financial resilience through education

Marion County residents earning below state averages must prioritize budgeting and debt reduction before wealth-building strategies can take root. Community investments in job training, credential programs, and wage support are essential to help households increase earning potential and financial stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Marion County faces health crisis

At 68.9 years, Marion County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.5 years by 7.6 years—among the lowest in the state. The 26.3% rate of poor or fair health exceeds the national average of 18% by 8 percentage points, indicating widespread chronic disease burden.

Second-lowest life expectancy

Marion County's 68.9-year life expectancy ranks second-worst in Mississippi, falling 2 years below the state average of 70.9. The county's 26.3% poor/fair health rate ranks near the bottom statewide, placing Marion among the state's most vulnerable populations.

Severe provider shortage

Marion County has just 37 primary care providers per 100K residents and critically low mental health capacity of only 87 per 100K—the lowest among all surveyed counties. This near-total absence of behavioral health support leaves residents with few options for mental illness treatment.

Coverage gaps and access barriers

Marion County's 14.3% uninsured rate ranks among the highest in the region and exceeds the state average by 0.4 percentage points. Combined with extreme provider shortages, lack of insurance becomes a critical barrier—many residents cannot find or afford care even when covered.

Get insured and find care

If you're among Marion County's 14% uninsured residents, visiting Healthcare.gov or calling Mississippi Medicaid is urgent. Once covered, work with local health centers to establish care—waiting times are long in this county, so planning ahead is essential.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County presents moderate disaster exposure

Marion County's composite risk score of 59.96 places it in the relatively low category nationally, representing more balanced hazard exposure than many counties. While below some national averages, the score reflects meaningful vulnerability to specific hazards like hurricanes and wildfires.

Slightly above-average risk in Mississippi

Marion County's score of 59.96 exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, positioning it in the middle range of statewide risk. This standing reflects more consistent exposure across multiple hazard categories rather than extreme vulnerability to any single threat.

Mid-range risk compared to nearby counties

Marion County's 59.96 score places it between Lincoln County (48.44) and Monroe County (68.54), making it moderate relative to the region. The county's distinction lies in its exceptionally high hurricane risk of 89.95, the highest in the area and representing the most significant local vulnerability.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate your profile

Marion County faces a hurricane risk of 89.95 and wildfire risk of 75.76, representing the two hazards most likely to impact residents. Hurricane threat peaks during late summer and fall, while wildfire risk remains elevated throughout much of the year due to vegetation and climate conditions.

Prepare for wind and wildfire damage

Marion County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address hurricane threat, and maintain defensible space around structures against wildfire risk. Review flood insurance availability as well, since hurricanes often bring significant rainfall and storm surge in certain areas.

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.