countyscore
35.4
County Score
Cost of Living 77.7Lawn Care 67Weather & Climate 61.8

County Report Card

About Mississippi County, Missouri

Struggling to Match National Standards

Mississippi County earns a composite score of 35.4, falling well below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects significant socioeconomic headwinds compared to most U.S. counties.

Trailing the Missouri Average

The county's overall score of 35.4 is roughly 15 points lower than the Missouri state average of 50.3. While it offers deep affordability, it lacks the infrastructure found in higher-scoring state neighbors.

High Affordability in the Delta

The primary advantage here is the cost of living, which earns a score of 77.7. Residents enjoy a median home value of $100,300, making entry into the housing market easier than in most regions.

Significant Health and Safety Gaps

The county faces steep challenges with an income score of 8.7 and a matching health score of 8.7. Safety also ranks poorly at 11.4, suggesting a need for increased investment in public services.

For Those Prioritizing Extreme Affordability

This county is best suited for individuals where low housing costs are the absolute priority. Prospective residents should weigh the low entry costs against the limited availability of health and safety services.

Score breakdown

Tax47Cost77.7Safety11.4Health8.7Schools31.4Income8.7Risk42.8Water18.1Weather61.8
🏛47
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼8.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡11.4
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤8.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓31.4
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡42.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧18.1
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤61.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨54.2
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱67
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Counties with similar scores

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Nearby counties

Carlisle County
Kentucky
62.5
Hickman County
Kentucky
67.9
Fulton County
Kentucky
50.5
Ballard County
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56.1
Scott County
Missouri
54
Alexander County
Illinois
62.2
New Madrid County
Missouri
38.1
Pulaski County
Illinois
62.9

Deep Dives

Mississippi County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mississippi County

via TaxByCounty

Mississippi County taxes exceed national norms

Mississippi County's effective tax rate of 0.877% surpasses the national median of roughly 0.82%, placing it in the upper third of American counties for tax burden. Despite a median home value of just $100,300—well below the national median of $281,900—residents pay a relatively high percentage of home value in taxes.

Above Missouri's statewide average

At 0.877%, Mississippi County's effective rate runs 20% higher than Missouri's average of 0.733%, making it one of the state's pricier taxing jurisdictions. The median tax bill of $880 falls below the state median of $1,199, mainly because homes are worth considerably less here.

Second-highest rate in the region

Mississippi County's 0.877% rate ranks only behind Mercer County's 0.950% among local competitors, significantly outpacing Morgan (0.610%), Miller (0.627%), and Monroe (0.737%). This makes it one of the steeper-taxing areas in rural northeast Missouri.

Median tax runs $880 per year

Owners of a median-value home in Mississippi County worth $100,300 pay approximately $880 annually in property taxes, or $954 with mortgage escrow. At roughly $74 per month, this reflects a high rate applied to modest home values.

Appeal opportunities exist here

Mississippi County's above-average tax rate makes it especially worthwhile to challenge your assessed value if you believe it's too high. Many overassessed homeowners find success appealing, potentially saving hundreds each year with minimal effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Mississippi County

via CostByCounty

Mississippi faces serious rent burden

Mississippi County renters spend 20.3% of their income on rent—far exceeding the comfortable 12-15% national range. This leaves households with less money for food, transportation, healthcare, and savings.

Worst affordability in Missouri

With a rent-to-income ratio of 20.3%, Mississippi County ranks among Missouri's least affordable regions, dramatically worse than the state average of 15.6%. The 4.7-percentage-point gap reflects a significant affordability crisis for renters.

High rents, low incomes compound

Mississippi's median rent of $782/month exceeds the state average of $768, while the county's median income of $46,258 is the lowest among surrounding counties. This combination creates the region's affordability squeeze.

Mississippi's tight housing squeeze

Mississippi County residents earn just $46,258 annually but pay $782/month in rent or $567/month for mortgages on homes valued at $100,300. For renters, housing alone consumes one-fifth of gross income, leaving minimal budget for other essentials.

Mississippi challenges budget-conscious movers

If you're relocating to Mississippi County, plan carefully: the 20.3% rent-to-income ratio means housing is less affordable here than in neighboring counties. Consider nearby Mercer or Monroe if rental affordability is your priority.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mississippi County

via IncomeByCounty

Mississippi County faces income gap

Mississippi County's median household income of $46,258 falls nearly $28,500 below the national median of $74,755, ranking among the lowest-earning counties in the dataset. This substantial gap reflects significant economic hardship compared to the broader U.S.

Lowest in Missouri's peer group

At $46,258, Mississippi County's median household income runs about $13,200 short of Missouri's state average of $59,503. Among the eight surveyed counties, Mississippi ranks last, indicating pronounced economic stress relative to neighboring areas.

Struggling hardest in its cluster

Mississippi County's $46,258 income is the lowest among all nearby peers, with the next-lowest being Monroe at $48,299. The gap to higher-earning neighbors like Moniteau ($65,161) exceeds $18,900, highlighting stark disparities within the region.

Housing crisis pressures families

Mississippi County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among surveyed counties, signaling severe affordability strain. Combined with median household income of $46,258, many residents allocate nearly one-fifth of earnings to housing alone, limiting funds for food, healthcare, and saving.

Explore community resources first

Mississippi households face real constraints, making professional financial counseling especially valuable. Local nonprofits and credit counseling services often offer free guidance on budgeting, debt reduction, and accessing earned income tax credits that boost take-home income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mississippi County

via CrimeByCounty

Mississippi County Safety Challenges

Mississippi County faces challenges with a safety score of 95.8, which is slightly below the state average. Its total crime rate of 2,649.3 per 100K exceeds the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Trends in the Bootheel

Ranking below the Missouri average for safety, Mississippi County reports a total crime rate higher than the state's 1,926.2 average. Four local agencies work to address these figures across the county's communities.

Comparing Regional Crime Rates

Mississippi’s crime rate of 2,649.3 per 100K is higher than several neighboring rural counties. This data highlights a need for targeted community safety initiatives to bring rates closer to the state norm.

Property Crime Drives Local Incidents

Property crime accounts for the bulk of incidents at 2,161.7 per 100K, slightly exceeding the national average. Violent crime stands at 487.6 per 100K, which is higher than the national rate of 369.8.

Vigilance Protects Local Homes

Protecting your property is vital where the property crime rate exceeds 2,100 per 100K residents. High-visibility security systems and motion-sensor lighting provide effective layers of protection for local homes.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Mississippi County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy crisis in Mississippi

At just 70.0 years, Mississippi County residents face a devastating 4.4-year gap compared to the U.S. average of 74.4 years. The county's 28.8% poor or fair health rate—among America's highest—reflects an acute public health crisis driven by chronic disease, poverty, and limited healthcare access.

Missouri's poorest health outcomes

Mississippi County ranks among Missouri's lowest on life expectancy, trailing the state average of 74.3 years by 4.3 years. The county's 28.8% poor or fair health rate far exceeds Missouri's typical performance, signaling a community in health distress.

Disparities dwarf surrounding counties

Mississippi's 70.0-year life expectancy is 6.1 years shorter than neighboring Monroe County (76.1 years) and 4.9 years below New Madrid County (69.0 years), a striking regional gap. With only 16 primary care providers per 100K, Mississippi faces a severe physician shortage compared to most neighboring counties.

High uninsurance fuels health crisis

Mississippi's 15.0% uninsured rate combines with just 16 primary care providers per 100K—creating a barrier where many residents lack both coverage and physician access. Mental health support is available at 59 per 100K, yet behavioral health alone cannot address the structural health disparities driving early mortality.

Health insurance can save your life

In Mississippi County, coverage means access to the preventive care and treatment that can add years to your life expectancy. Apply for Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately at healthcare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE—every month without insurance puts your health at risk.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Mississippi County

via SchoolsByCounty

Town-Centered Schools in Mississippi County

Mississippi County operates seven public schools through two primary school districts. The system serves ,1808 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels, including one alternative education facility.

Steady Graduation Rates in Southeast Missouri

Mississippi County reports an 89.8% graduation rate, which is higher than the national average of 87%. While the per-pupil expenditure of $6,007 is lower than the national benchmark, the county maintains a 51.3 school score near the state average.

East Prairie and Charleston Districts

East Prairie R-II is the county's largest district, enrolling 1,036 students, followed by Charleston R-I with 772 students. Traditional public districts provide all educational services here, as there are no charter schools in the county.

Community Schools with a Town Focus

Six of the seven schools are located in town settings, making them central hubs for the local community. East Prairie Elementary is the largest school with 410 students, while the average campus size across the county is 301 students.

Explore Homes Near Local Schools

With schools acting as the social and academic centers of town life, moving to East Prairie or Charleston puts families at the heart of the action. Quality local education is a key driver for property values in these tight-knit communities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Mississippi County

via RiskByCounty

Mississippi County faces above-average risk

Mississippi County's composite risk score of 57.19 places it in the "Relatively Low" category with exposure above the national median. Earthquake risk drives much of this score, creating a distinctive hazard profile for the region.

Upper-middle risk tier in Missouri

Mississippi's score of 57.19 exceeds Missouri's state average of 50.56, positioning it as a higher-risk county. Its unique earthquake exposure—scoring 93.51—distinguishes it sharply from typical Missouri hazard profiles.

Earthquake risk sets it apart regionally

Mississippi's 93.51 earthquake score far exceeds neighboring New Madrid (96.12) and most surrounding counties, reflecting proximity to seismic zones. Its tornado risk of 67.97 aligns with regional patterns, but earthquake threatens this county distinctly.

Earthquake dominates Mississippi's hazards

Earthquake risk scores an exceptional 93.51, making it Mississippi's primary natural disaster threat by far. Tornado risk at 67.97 poses secondary concern, while wildfire and flood risks remain minimal at 1.59 and 25.51 respectively.

Earthquake insurance is essential here

Mississippi County's extreme earthquake risk makes dedicated earthquake coverage non-negotiable for homeowners seeking comprehensive protection. Securing furniture, bracing water heaters, and anchoring cabinets provide critical structural safeguards against seismic events.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Soil Quality in Mississippi County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Soils in the Bootheel

Mississippi County features a pH of 6.20, making it more alkaline than the Missouri average of 6.09. Although specific taxonomic orders are unlisted, these soils provide a chemical environment suitable for a wide variety of crops.

A Gritty and Silt-Heavy Mix

A significant 36.2% sand content is paired with 42.3% silt, creating a coarser texture than many northern counties. The 21.5% clay component helps anchor the soil and retain essential nutrients.

Lower Organic Matter but High Potential

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.86%, falling below the 2.0% national average. The available water capacity of 0.177 in/in also sits slightly below the state average of 0.183, suggesting a need for careful water management.

Managing Saturated Subaqueous Conditions

The dominant drainage class is subaqueous, indicating that the land is often saturated or underwater for significant periods. This hydrology presents unique challenges for construction and requires specialized agricultural drainage techniques.

Heat-Loving Crops in Zone 7b

Mississippi County sits in the warm 7b hardiness zone, offering one of the longest growing seasons in the state. This climate is perfect for cotton or watermelons, provided you manage the wet soil conditions effectively.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mississippi County

via LawnByCounty

A Warm Start in the Bootheel

Mississippi County scores a 67.0 for lawn difficulty, which is slightly better than the Missouri average. As one of the few regions in Hardiness Zone 7b, your lawn experiences some of the mildest winters in the state. This southern location offers a unique growing environment that differs significantly from northern Missouri.

Unique Conditions in the Lowlands

While specific annual precipitation and heat data are limited for this specific county, the general region experiences high humidity and long summers. Your Zone 7b status suggests a much longer period for grass to remain green compared to northern counties. Monitor local weather closely as the lack of specific regional climate data requires more hands-on observation.

Sandy Soils Require Consistent Care

The soil composition here features a high sand content of 36.2%, which is significantly higher than the state interior. With a subaqueous drainage class and a pH of 6.20, your soil is naturally close to the ideal range for most turf. Be aware that sandier soils may lose nutrients more quickly, necessitating a more regular fertilization schedule.

Staying Green Through Dry Months

The county has navigated 20 weeks of drought over the past year, showing a moderate level of environmental stress. Currently, the entire county is under abnormally dry conditions, though severe drought has not yet taken hold. Frequent light watering is often necessary in sandy soils to prevent the grass from going dormant during these periods.

Embrace Heat-Tolerant Varieties

Your Zone 7b climate is perfect for warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia, which thrive in Southern heat. These grasses are resilient and can handle the sandier soil profile found throughout the county. Start your lawn projects as early as March to take full advantage of the extended southern growing season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mississippi County's county score?
Mississippi County, Missouri has a composite county score of 35.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Mississippi County rank among counties in Missouri?
Mississippi County ranks #110 among all counties in Missouri on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Mississippi County, Missouri?
The median annual property tax in Mississippi County is $880, with an effective tax rate of 0.88%. This earns Mississippi County a tax score of 47/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mississippi County?
The median household income in Mississippi County, Missouri is $46,258 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mississippi County earns an income score of 8.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mississippi County, Missouri a good place to live?
Mississippi County scores 35.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #110 in Missouri. The best way to evaluate Mississippi County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Mississippi County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.