CountyScore

Mississippi County

Arkansas · AR

#72 in Arkansas
65.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Mississippi County, Arkansas

Mississippi County exceeds U.S. livability median

Mississippi's composite score of 65.5 substantially outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 31% of American counties. Despite economic challenges, the county maintains competitive affordability and tax efficiency.

Below-average performer for Arkansas

Mississippi scores 65.5, notably below Arkansas's state average of 70.3, ranking it sixth among these eight peer counties. The gap reflects deeper economic and health challenges compared to neighboring rural counties.

Exceptional tax burden and housing affordability

Mississippi delivers a tax score of 86.6/100 with an effective rate of 0.558% and cost score of 83.4/100, boasting median rent at just $797/month and median home value of $115,800. Affordability is a genuine strength for budget-conscious residents.

Health and risk concerns overshadow assets

Health score of 54.5/100 is the lowest in this peer group, and risk score of 10.8/100 is critically concerning, suggesting severe environmental, demographic, or infrastructure vulnerabilities. Income at 18.3/100 ($53,428 median) offers limited wealth-building potential.

Only for those with strong local ties or circumstances

Mississippi County suits individuals with deep family or employment ties who prioritize affordability above all other considerations. The significant risk and health challenges make it a difficult choice absent compelling personal reasons to relocate there.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.6Cost83.4SafetyComing SoonHealth54.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.3Risk10.8WaterComing Soon
🏛86.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡10.8
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 Mississippi County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kenai Peninsula Borough
Alaska
65.5
Median income: $77,722
La Paz County
Arizona
65.5
Median income: $49,506
Bulloch County
Georgia
65.5
Median income: $56,832
Marshall County
Illinois
65.5
Median income: $69,818
Randolph County
Illinois
65.5
Median income: $68,870

Deep Dives

Mississippi County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mississippi County

via TaxByCounty

Mississippi rates trail national median

Mississippi County's 0.558% effective tax rate falls below the national median of 0.90%, positioning it in the lower half of U.S. counties nationally. The median property tax of $646 annually is just one-quarter of the nation's median of $2,690.

Slightly above Arkansas state average

Mississippi County's 0.558% effective rate edges above Arkansas's state average of 0.532%, placing it in the upper-middle range of state counties. Homeowners pay a median of $646 in property taxes compared to $705 statewide—slightly below the state baseline despite the higher rate.

Higher-taxed than most nearby counties

Mississippi County's 0.558% rate exceeds Madison (0.445%), Little River (0.484%), Monroe (0.493%), and Marion County (0.513%), making it one of the region's pricier options. Only Miller (0.618%) and Lonoke County (0.640%) surpass it regionally.

Median annual tax: $646 per household

Mississippi County's median home value of $115,800 combined with its 0.558% rate produces a median property tax of $646 per year. With mortgage escrow factored in, homeowners typically pay $781 annually.

Reassessment appeals can reduce your bill

Mississippi County property owners should verify their assessed valuations—overassessments are common across the county. A free appeal to the county assessor is an easy first step toward potentially lowering your annual tax obligation.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mississippi County

via CostByCounty

Mississippi County meets national standard

Mississippi County renters spend 17.9% of income on housing, just below the national average of roughly 18%, indicating solid affordability for renting. With median household income of $53,428 and median rent of $797, the county offers balanced housing costs relative to national benchmarks.

Mississippi performs near state average

Mississippi County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% sits just below Arkansas's state average of 18.1%, placing it near the middle tier of state affordability. The median rent of $797 slightly exceeds the state median of $760, offset by incomes near state norms.

Mississippi ranks in middle tier

Mississippi County's $797 median rent and 17.9% ratio sit between affordable peers like Madison ($727, 16.2%) and stressed counties like Miller ($882, 21.2%). The county offers moderate housing costs that reflect regional variation but remain manageable for most households.

Owners enjoy clear advantage

Renters pay $797 monthly (17.9% of the $53,428 household income), while homeowners pay $704—a relatively modest difference in absolute terms. Owner costs represent 13.2% of income, providing meaningful savings compared to renting.

Mississippi County offers balance

Mississippi County delivers middle-of-the-road affordability; renters find reasonable costs near national standards, while homebuyers enjoy solid value at a median of $115,800. If stability and balance matter to you, Mississippi County ranks among the safer affordability bets in this group.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mississippi County

via IncomeByCounty

Mississippi County below national mark

Mississippi County's median household income of $53,428 lags the national median of $74,755 by 29%, though it exceeds the Arkansas state average of $51,156 by roughly $2,300. The county sits in the lower-middle range nationally, typical of rural Delta communities.

Middle income tier for Arkansas

Mississippi County ranks near the median among Arkansas counties, reflecting a stable but modest economic base tied to agriculture, retail, and services. The county's performance is consistent with many rural Arkansas communities.

Comparable to Logan, above Marion

Mississippi County's $53,428 sits between Logan County ($54,237) and Marion County ($46,953), positioning it as a mid-tier earner. The $800 difference from Logan is negligible, suggesting similar economic structures across these counties.

Moderate housing affordability

Mississippi County's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio is healthy, sitting comfortably below the 30% threshold and allowing reasonable housing budgets. Median home values of $115,800 align well with local household incomes, supporting accessible homeownership.

Leverage stability for long-term gains

Mississippi County's reasonable housing affordability creates space for households to save and invest in retirement and education accounts. Consider automatic transfers to savings accounts, employer 401(k) matching programs, and low-cost investment options suitable for steady income earners.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Mississippi County

via HealthByCounty

Mississippi faces critical health crisis

Mississippi County's life expectancy of 67.9 years ranks among the lowest in America, trailing the U.S. average by over 10 years. Nearly one in three residents—29.0%—report poor or fair health, the highest rate across all eight counties analyzed.

Worst outcomes in Arkansas, likely statewide

At 67.9 years, Mississippi County's life expectancy is 4.4 years below the Arkansas average of 72.3 years. This gap is among the starkest in the state and reflects decades of economic hardship and healthcare underinvestment.

Far behind every peer county

Mississippi County's 67.9-year life expectancy trails every other county in this analysis, with the next-lowest being Monroe County at 68.8 years. The 29.0% poor/fair health rate dwarfs even the second-worst county, signaling a distinct crisis.

Providers present, but access remains blocked

Mississippi County has 35 primary care providers and 145 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—respectable numbers—yet the uninsured rate is just 8.4%. The disconnect between provider availability and poor outcomes suggests barriers beyond simple insurance coverage.

Healthcare starts with coverage

Mississippi County residents must ensure insurance coverage as a foundation for accessing the providers available. Visit healthcare.gov or your local health department to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans immediately.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mississippi County

via RiskByCounty

Mississippi County's Exceptional Risk

Mississippi County's composite risk score of 89.22 places it in the Relatively Moderate risk category and far above the U.S. average. The county's earthquake risk (97.96) is among the nation's highest, while its tornado risk (69.59) also ranks significantly above average.

Arkansas's Highest Composite Risk

At 89.22, Mississippi County carries the highest composite risk score of any Arkansas county, 60% above the state average of 55.51. The county's exceptional seismic exposure reflects its proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone.

Dramatically Higher Risk Profile

Mississippi County (89.22) faces substantially greater risk than nearby counties like Miller (70.83) and Lonoke (75.10). Its earthquake score of 97.96 stands as a singular regional hazard, driven by seismic proximity.

Seismic Risk Dominates

Earthquakes (97.96) are Mississippi County's defining hazard—among the nation's highest risks—reflecting the county's position near the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Tornadoes (69.59) present a secondary but still significant threat.

Earthquake Insurance Is Essential

Mississippi County homeowners cannot afford to skip earthquake insurance; the county's seismic risk ranks among America's highest. Tornado and flood coverage are equally critical to protect against the county's multiple severe hazards.

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.