countyscore
46.9
County Score
Cost of Living 76Property Tax 60.7Water Quality 58.7

County Report Card

About Monroe County, Mississippi

Monroe County nears national median scores

Monroe County posts a composite score of 47.5, coming close to the national median of 50.0. It balances exceptional housing value against lower healthcare and income scores.

A solid performer in Mississippi

The county’s 47.5 score is nearly identical to the Mississippi state average of 48.4. It represents a typical but high-value experience for residents in the northern part of the state.

Excellent affordability and water quality

Monroe shines with a cost score of 80.3 and a water score of 58.7. With median home values at $115,200, it remains one of the more affordable places to build a life in the state.

Economic and health infrastructure gaps

Income (17.2) and health (18.3) are the primary areas for improvement. Increasing the median household income from $51,231 would likely help boost other quality-of-life metrics.

Perfect for small-town value seekers

Monroe County is best for families and individuals looking for affordable homeownership and reliable utilities. It offers a stable, low-cost lifestyle for those who value community over high-speed urban growth.

2040608010060.77648.818.330.51531.558.758.3Tax60.7Cost76Safety48.8Health18.3Schools30.5Income15Risk31.5Water58.7Weather58.346.9/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Monroe County DNA

Foverall

How Monroe County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Monroe County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (76/100) but notably weak in Income (15/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60.7+8.700000000000003
Cost
76+28
Safety
48.8
Health
18.3-31.7
Schools
30.5-23.5
Income
15-36
Risk
31.5-15.5
Water
58.7
Weather
58.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Monroe County?

Many homeowners in Monroe County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$120,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$768/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$120,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $51,866/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Clay County
Mississippi
39.4
Lowndes County
Mississippi
46.3
Lamar County
Alabama
66.4
Chickasaw County
Mississippi
56.8
Oktibbeha County
Mississippi
34.1
Marion County
Alabama
58
Itawamba County
Mississippi
55.7
Lee County
Mississippi
33.5

Deep Dives

Monroe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Monroe County

via TaxByCounty

Monroe taxes rank low in America

Monroe County's effective property tax rate of 0.746% is roughly one-third the national median of 2.1%, providing residents exceptionally affordable property taxation. At $859 annually, the median property tax stands far below the national median of $2,690.

Monroe matches Mississippi state average

Monroe County's 0.746% effective rate is virtually identical to Mississippi's 0.743% statewide average, exemplifying the state's typical tax burden. The median property tax of $859 slightly trails the state median of $931, reflecting the county's lower median home value of $115,200.

Monroe rate aligns with regional peers

Monroe County's 0.746% effective rate sits near the top of the region, matched closely by Marshall (0.747%) and Marion (0.744%), and substantially above Lowndes (0.640%). This positions Monroe among the region's higher-taxed jurisdictions, though still tax-competitive.

Median tax totals $859 annually

On a median Monroe County home valued at $115,200, property taxes amount to approximately $859 per year. With a mortgage, homeowners owe $1,009; without, $599.

Check your assessment for potential refunds

Many Monroe County homeowners overpay taxes due to inflated assessments that go unchallenged. Requesting a reassessment from the county assessor is simple and often recovers hundreds in annual taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Monroe County

via IncomeByCounty

Monroe County earns near state baseline

Monroe County's median household income of $51,231 lags the national median of $74,755 by $23,524, falling below national income benchmarks. The county slightly exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514, indicating performance just above state-level norms.

Monroe County ranks above Mississippi average

Monroe County's median household income of $51,231 exceeds Mississippi's statewide average of $48,514 by $2,717, placing it slightly above the state median. Per capita income of $28,411 also surpasses the state average of $27,136, suggesting moderately healthy household earnings.

Monroe County matches regional midpoint

Monroe County's median household income of $51,231 sits between lower-earning Marion County ($42,320) and higher-earning Lowndes County ($54,460), establishing it as a regional middle performer. Per capita income of $28,411 similarly tracks with nearby county averages.

Housing costs at comfortable threshold

Monroe County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% sits well below the 28% affordability threshold, with housing costs consuming a modest portion of household earnings. At median home values of $115,200 relative to household income, homeownership remains accessible for working families.

Build savings while seeking advancement

Monroe County's moderate income position provides households with reasonable room to establish emergency savings and retirement contributions after core expenses. Families should focus on building professional skills and pursuing wage growth to accelerate long-term wealth accumulation above current county and state averages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Monroe County

via CrimeByCounty

Monroe County's Safety Profile

Monroe County maintains a safety score of 98.2, keeping it in line with positive national safety trends. The total crime rate of 1,147.2 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Monroe vs. Mississippi Safety Trends

The county’s safety score is just slightly below the Mississippi average of 98.4. Its total crime rate of 1,147.2 is marginally higher than the statewide average of 978.4.

Neighbor Comparison: Lee and Lowndes

Monroe sees less crime than neighboring Lee County, which has a rate of 2,750.1. However, it is busier than nearby Lowndes County, which sits lower at 784.0.

The Local Crime Breakdown

Property crime is the main concern at 1,021.4 per 100K, while violent crime is very low at 125.8. Residents are much more likely to encounter theft than any form of violent offense.

Home Security Tips for Monroe

Since property crime accounts for nearly 90% of local incidents, securing your home's exterior is vital. Simple deterrents like motion-activated lights and visible security signs are highly effective.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Monroe County

via WeatherByCounty

Mild winters and southern warmth

Monroe County averages 61.4°F annually, showcasing the warmth typical of the American South compared to the national median. The county receives 55.9 inches of rain, slightly less than the Mississippi state average.

Below the Mississippi state average

The county's 61.4°F average temperature remains lower than the statewide benchmark of 63.9°F. This makes Monroe slightly more temperate than the counties located further south toward the Gulf Coast.

Comparable to nearby Noxubee County

Monroe is slightly cooler than Noxubee County, which averages 62.7°F. However, it experiences 63 extreme heat days, roughly ten more than its northern neighbor, Marshall County.

Hot summers with trace snow

July temperatures average nearly 80°F, contributing to 63 days of heat exceeding 90°F annually. Snow is almost non-existent here, with a yearly average of just 0.1 inches.

Plan for consistent summer heat

Residents must plan for over two months of extreme heat by maintaining cooling systems and staying hydrated. The low snowfall means winter weather gear is rarely needed for local commutes.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Monroe County

via SoilByCounty

Monroe's Balanced Acidic Soil Profile

Monroe County soil has a pH of 5.39, making it slightly more alkaline than the state average of 5.30. However, it remains acidic compared to the national median of 6.5. The overall soil score of 35.4 is nearly identical to the Mississippi state average of 35.7.

A Sandy-Silt Blend for Stability

The composition is a mix of 42.2% sand and 38.7% silt, with 19.1% clay. This balanced blend provides both the drainage of sand and the nutrient-holding capacity of silt and clay. This texture is generally stable for construction and versatile for many types of farming.

Steady Fertility and Water Metrics

The organic matter content is 1.76%, sitting just below the state benchmark of 1.81%. Available water capacity measures 0.168 in/in, which is also close to the Mississippi average of 0.174 in/in. These middle-of-the-road numbers suggest a reliable soil that responds well to standard fertilization.

Predictable Drainage and Moderate Hold

With sand as the largest component, Monroe County soils typically enjoy good drainage and aeration. While specific drainage classes aren't recorded, the 19.1% clay content ensures the soil doesn't dry out instantly. This creates a predictable environment for both landscape irrigation and stormwater management.

Cultivating Crops in Zone 8a

Located in Zone 8a, Monroe County provides a great climate for southern favorites like peaches and sweet potatoes. The soil's balanced texture supports a wide variety of plant life with minimal specialized care. It is an approachable environment for first-time gardeners looking to start a backyard plot.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Monroe County

via LawnByCounty

A Top-Performing Mississippi County

Monroe County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 40.6, making it the easiest county in this group to maintain. While this is still below the national average of 50.0, it is nearly 10 points better than the state average. Its location in Zone 8a provides a relatively stable environment for southern turf.

Moderate Heat and Balanced Growth

With 63 extreme heat days, Monroe County is cooler than the state average of 73 days. It receives 55.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is manageable for most established lawns. The 5,086 growing degree days provide a healthy energy level for grass without the hyper-active growth seen in the far south.

Sandy Loam Needs Neutralizing

The soil pH of 5.39 is acidic and should be raised with lime to improve nutrient uptake. A composition of 19.1% clay and 42.2% sand provides good natural drainage for the 55.9 inches of rain the county receives. This physical structure is ideal for building a deep root system if the acidity is properly managed.

Stable Moisture Conditions

Monroe County only faced 8 weeks in drought over the last year, and currently, just 8.3% of the area is abnormally dry. This relative stability makes it easier to keep a lawn green without constant intervention. Even so, maintaining a proper watering schedule during the 63 heat days will prevent summer dormancy.

Optimal Planting for Monroe

Plan to establish your lawn after the last spring frost on March 29 to take full advantage of the growing season. You have until the first fall frost on November 5 to ensure your grass is well-rooted and healthy. Zoysia or Bermuda grasses are highly recommended for this climate and soil profile.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monroe County's county score?
Monroe County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 46.9 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 Monroe County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Monroe County ranks #46 among all counties in Mississippi 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 Monroe County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Monroe County is $843, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Monroe County a tax score of 60.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Monroe County?
The median household income in Monroe County, Mississippi is $51,866 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Monroe County earns an income score of 15/100 on CountyScore.
Is Monroe County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Monroe County scores 46.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #46 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Monroe 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 Monroe County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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