CountyScore

Marshall County

Mississippi · MS

#72 in Mississippi
63.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Marshall County, Mississippi

Marshall County surpasses national baseline

Marshall County's composite score of 63.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 27%, placing it in the upper 45th percentile of U.S. counties. The county delivers competitive livability for an American community.

Below state average by notable margin

Marshall County scores 63.7 against Mississippi's state average of 67.5, trailing by nearly 4 points and placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 82 counties. It lags peers in several livability measures.

Tax efficiency and stable housing costs

Marshall County maintains strong tax efficiency (81.3) with a 0.747% effective tax rate and offers reasonable housing affordability (78.6) at median home values of $172,200. Health outcomes at 53.3 provide a moderate foundation for community wellness.

Income and risk both need work

The county's income score of 17.3 reflects a median household income of $51,875, limiting wealth-building opportunities compared to prosperous regions. Risk indicators at 28.8 suggest environmental or economic vulnerabilities that could affect stability.

Suitable for cost-focused, stable households

Marshall County appeals to retirees and those with fixed incomes seeking low taxes and modest housing costs. Families dependent on local wage growth or those prioritizing robust infrastructure should consider stronger-performing neighboring counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax81.3Cost78.6SafetyComing SoonHealth53.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.3Risk28.8WaterComing Soon
🏛81.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.8
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 Marshall County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Alabama
63.7
Median income: $64,589
Clay County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $86,094
Putnam County
Florida
63.7
Median income: $47,256
Decatur County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $50,485
Lowndes County
Georgia
63.7
Median income: $55,887

Deep Dives

Marshall County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marshall County

via TaxByCounty

Marshall's taxes rank well below national

Marshall County's effective property tax rate of 0.747% is roughly one-third the national median of 2.1%, placing residents in a low-tax environment. At $1,286 annually, the median property tax remains substantially below the national median of $2,690.

Marshall slightly exceeds state average rate

Marshall County's 0.747% effective rate is marginally above Mississippi's 0.743% average, though the difference is negligible. The median property tax of $1,286 notably exceeds the state median of $931, reflecting stronger median home values of $172,200.

Marshall rate near regional middle

Marshall County's 0.747% effective rate positions it near the region's center, slightly above Marion (0.744%) and Monroe (0.746%), and above Lee (0.722%) and Lowndes (0.640%). The county represents a moderate tax environment within this eight-county group.

Median homeowner pays $1,286 yearly

On the median Marshall County home valued at $172,200, property taxes total approximately $1,286 per year. With a mortgage, homeowners owe $1,525; without, $929.

Assessment appeals worth your time

Marshall County homeowners frequently discover their properties are overvalued and eligible for tax refunds. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and can identify hundreds in annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marshall County

via CostByCounty

Marshall County stretches housing budgets

Marshall County renters spend 21.4% of income on rent, significantly above the national 16% benchmark and well above Mississippi's 19.6% state average. At $926 monthly on a $51,875 median income, housing claims nearly one-quarter of earnings here.

Among Mississippi's pricier markets

Marshall County's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the least affordable in Mississippi, beat only by Leflore and Marion in this eight-county region. The county's modest wages paired with above-average rents create affordability strain for local residents.

Pricey rents on moderate incomes

Marshall's $926 rent is second-highest in the region after Madison, yet the $51,875 median income is only moderate—well below Lee ($67,144) and Madison ($78,794). This mismatch pushes housing burdens to uncomfortable levels relative to neighboring counties.

Homeownership offers slight relief

Renters spend 21.4% of their $51,875 income on $926 rent, but homeowners find modest relief at $858 monthly (19.8% of income) on properties worth $172,200. Both groups commit substantial portions of income to housing, leaving less for savings and emergencies.

Consider Marshall only with caution

Marshall County's 21.4% housing burden is workable only if you earn above $55,000 and can absorb higher rent. If you're relocating from a high-cost area, Marshall may offer savings, but it's not the most affordable choice in this region—Lincoln, Marion, or Leflore might stretch your dollar further.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marshall County

via IncomeByCounty

Marshall County trails national income standards

Marshall County's median household income of $51,875 falls $22,880 short of the national median of $74,755, indicating below-average earning capacity relative to the broader U.S. The county does exceed Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514 by $3,361, positioning it slightly above state norms.

Marshall County ranks above state average

Marshall County's median household income of $51,875 exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Mississippi counties. Per capita income of $27,639 also edges above the state average of $27,136, suggesting moderately stable household economics.

Marshall County performs as solid regional peer

Marshall County's median household income of $51,875 sits between Marion County ($42,320) and Lowndes County ($54,460), positioning it as a regional middle-performer. The county's per capita income of $27,639 is comparable to neighboring Monroe County ($28,411).

Housing costs strain family budgets

Marshall County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% sits just below the affordability comfort threshold, meaning housing expenses consume more than one-fifth of household earnings. With median home values at $172,200 relative to modest income, many families face housing affordability pressure.

Pursue targeted income growth strategies

Marshall County households earning near state averages must balance housing obligations with modest savings capacity, making career advancement and skill development crucial. Pursuing higher-wage employment opportunities and building emergency reserves can help households achieve financial security and gradual wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marshall County

via HealthByCounty

Marshall County's health lag

At 69.7 years, Marshall County residents live 6.8 years less than the U.S. average of 76.5 years. The county's 26.2% poor/fair health rate far exceeds the national average of 18%, signaling a population managing serious chronic conditions with limited healthcare support.

Third-worst health outcomes statewide

Marshall County's 69.7-year life expectancy ranks third-lowest in Mississippi, falling 1.2 years below the state average of 70.9. The 26.2% poor/fair health rate places it among the state's most health-burdened counties.

Critically low provider density

Marshall County has just 15 primary care providers per 100K residents—the lowest in the region and less than one-eighth of Lee County's supply. Mental health capacity stands at an alarming 35 per 100K, effectively leaving residents without access to psychiatric care.

Coverage and care desert

Marshall County's 13.9% uninsured rate matches the state average, but insurance provides little protection when providers are nearly nonexistent. Residents face a double crisis: gaps in coverage combined with a near-complete absence of local healthcare infrastructure.

Seek coverage and plan ahead

Marshall County residents should secure insurance now at Healthcare.gov and establish care relationships before urgent needs arise. With provider scarcity extreme, advance planning and proactive health management are essential for staying healthy in this county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marshall County

via RiskByCounty

Marshall County carries elevated composite risk

Marshall County's composite risk score of 71.18 places it in the relatively low national category, yet reflects significant exposure to earthquakes and wildfires. The score indicates meaningful disaster preparedness needs concentrated in specific high-impact hazard types.

Above-average risk across Mississippi

Marshall County's score of 71.18 substantially exceeds Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the upper half of statewide risk rankings. This elevated standing reflects the county's particular susceptibility to strong earthquakes and above-average wildfire exposure.

Second-riskiest in the northern region

Marshall County's 71.18 score exceeds Monroe County (68.54) and Lincoln County (48.44), but falls just below Lee County (81.27) and Lowndes County (80.92). The county's major distinguishing feature is its high wildfire risk of 79.20, substantially above most regional neighbors.

Earthquakes and wildfires are serious threats

Marshall County experiences an earthquake risk of 92.97 and wildfire risk of 79.20, representing the two most significant hazards residents face. Tornado risk also reaches 88.99, making the county vulnerable to multiple types of sudden, high-impact events throughout the year.

Address earthquake and wildfire exposure

Marshall County homeowners must purchase separate earthquake insurance immediately, as standard policies exclude seismic damage entirely. Clear vegetation and maintain defensible space to reduce wildfire risk, and ensure comprehensive wind coverage in your homeowners policy for tornado protection.

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.