Neshoba County

Mississippi · MS

#61 in Mississippi
65.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Neshoba County, Mississippi

Neshoba Outpaces National Peers

Neshoba County's composite score of 65.3 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 58th percentile of U.S. counties. This solid performance demonstrates competitive livability standards in a rural Mississippi setting.

Just Below State Average

Neshoba scores 65.3 against Mississippi's 67.5 average, placing it in the lower-middle range of state counties. The gap reflects some livability headwinds compared to stronger-performing Mississippi peers.

Affordability and Low Tax Burden

Neshoba shines in cost (86.9) with median rent at just $759/month and homes averaging $96,600, among the state's cheapest. An effective tax rate of 0.886% keeps the overall financial load manageable for residents.

Risk and Income Need Attention

Neshoba's risk score of 41.7 ranks notably low, and income (18.0) with a median of $53,087 trails national expectations. Health outcomes (48.1) also suggest room for improvement in public health initiatives.

Perfect for Affordable, Quiet Living

Neshoba appeals to cost-conscious movers and retirees seeking small-town stability without breaking the bank. The county's super-low housing costs make it ideal for those prioritizing affordability over high earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.3Cost86.9SafetyComing SoonHealth48.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome18Risk41.7WaterComing Soon
🏛77.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠86.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼18
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
48.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
41.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Neshoba County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Neshoba County

via TaxByCounty

Neshoba stays below national average

Neshoba County's effective tax rate of 0.886% ranks in the lower half nationally, where the typical homeowner pays closer to 0.95% of property value. This Mississippi county offers a lighter tax burden compared to most of the nation.

Above state average, close second

Neshoba's 0.886% rate sits about 19% above Mississippi's 0.743% state average, though the county's median tax of just $856 remains reasonable for the region. It ranks among the higher-tax counties statewide, but falls short of the steepest burdens.

Mid-range for the region

Neshoba's rate of 0.886% sits between Newton County (0.799%) and Montgomery County (0.896%), placing it squarely in the regional middle. Nearby Panola County (0.769%) and Pearl River County (0.677%) tax at notably lower rates.

Median tax under $900 annually

On a median home value of $96,600, Neshoba residents pay approximately $856 per year in property taxes—or roughly $71 monthly. Those with mortgages typically see annual escrow payments closer to $949.

Appeal if your home is overvalued

Property assessment errors are common across Mississippi, and Neshoba County homeowners should verify their assessments match current market conditions. Filing an appeal is free and can substantially lower your bill if your property's assessed value exceeds its true market worth.

Cost of Living in Neshoba County

via CostByCounty

Neshoba renters well below national burden

Neshoba County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% is significantly better than the national average, meaning housing absorbs a smaller portion of household budgets here. With a median income of $53,087—still 29% below the U.S. median—residents benefit from rents that scale proportionally lower.

Among Mississippi's most affordable counties

At 17.2%, Neshoba's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the best in Mississippi, beating the state average of 19.6% by a meaningful margin. The county's median rent of $759 sits just slightly below the state median of $782, but stronger local incomes make it more sustainable.

Moderately priced in the east-central cluster

Neshoba's $759 rent falls in the middle of neighboring counties: Montgomery offers cheaper housing at $682, while Newton and Oktibbeha are comparable or higher. Among this regional peer group, Neshoba balances affordability with access to services typical of its size.

Neshoba's housing math works well

Households here earn $53,087 annually and pay $759 in median rent—just 17.2% of income—leaving ample room for other necessities. Homeowners pay even less, with a median monthly owner cost of $518, making Neshoba attractive for both renters and buyers.

Neshoba balances affordability and income

If you're comparing Mississippi counties, Neshoba offers better income-to-rent ratios than most: its 17.2% burden beats the state average of 19.6% while maintaining comparable rental prices. For families seeking stability, Neshoba's stronger median income ($53,087) paired with reasonable rents creates a sustainable housing landscape.

Income & Jobs in Neshoba County

via IncomeByCounty

Neshoba earns 29% below national median

Neshoba County's median household income of $53,087 lags the national median of $74,755 by nearly $22,000 per year. Yet the county performs better than most rural Mississippi counties, ranking above both state and national income percentiles for its region.

Mid-tier income for Mississippi

Neshoba County's $53,087 median household income exceeds Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by $4,573, placing it in the upper-middle range among the state's 82 counties. This positioning reflects a more diversified local economy than many peers.

Among the highest in this region

Neshoba County leads nearby Montgomery County ($45,057) and Newton County ($50,426), but trails Pearl River County ($56,535) in median household income. The county's $53,087 median positions it as a local income leader.

Housing costs are manageable

A rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% means Neshoba County residents spend just over one-sixth of earnings on housing—comfortably within the 30% affordability guideline. The median home value of $96,600 makes homeownership achievable for many working families.

Leverage stability to invest

Neshoba County's above-average income and low housing burden create space for wealth-building strategies like home equity and investment accounts. Local banks and credit unions offer financial planning services; start with an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses.

Health in Neshoba County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags far behind nation

Neshoba County's 66.5-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest nationally, falling 9.6 years behind the U.S. average of 76.1 years. More than one in four residents (27.6%) report fair or poor health, a rate 53% higher than the national benchmark.

Shortest lifespan in Mississippi analysis

Neshoba residents experience the lowest life expectancy of all eight counties examined, at 66.5 years versus Mississippi's 70.9-year average. The county's 15.2% uninsured rate marginally exceeds the state's 13.9%, adding financial strain to an already vulnerable population.

Health outcomes trail nearby counties

At 66.5 years, Neshoba's life expectancy falls well below neighboring Newton (69.9 years) and Panola (70.5 years). However, the county boasts exceptional mental health capacity at 139 providers per 100,000—nearly double its primary care strength—suggesting targeted mental health investment.

Limited primary care, mental health bright spot

Neshoba has 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, yet 15.2% of the population remains uninsured, creating gaps in routine care and disease management. The county's 139 mental health providers per 100,000 is an exceptional strength that reflects significant mental health resources for those with insurance or ability to pay.

Insurance enrollment can extend your life

With one in six residents uninsured, accessing coverage through Mississippi's health marketplace or Medicaid is critical to breaking cycles of delayed care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans—many offer free or low-cost preventive visits that catch disease early.

Disaster Risk in Neshoba County

via RiskByCounty

Neshoba faces above-average U.S. disaster risk

Your composite risk score of 58.27 places Neshoba in the Relatively Low category nationally, but above typical American counties. The county experiences moderate natural hazard exposure compared to the broader U.S.

Moderate risk among Mississippi counties

Neshoba's 58.27 score ranks it above Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. You live in one of the state's more hazard-exposed communities.

Riskier than most surrounding counties

Neshoba (58.27) exceeds neighbors like Montgomery (10.91) and Noxubee (29.04), matching Newton (52.45) in exposure. Your county carries elevated risk compared to much of central Mississippi.

Tornado, hurricane, earthquake dominate threats

Tornado (86.01), hurricane (81.06), and earthquake (74.05) risks all rank in the high category, with tornado being your most acute threat. Flooding at 41.38 presents additional but secondary concern.

Prioritize tornado and windstorm protection

Given tornado risk of 86.01, ensure your homeowners policy covers wind and hail damage—critical for tornado recovery. Consider a safe room, reinforced garage, or community shelter plan as physical backup to insurance.

ByCounty Network

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