Newton County scores 67.8 on livability, placing it at the 60th percentile nationally and 35.6 points above the U.S. median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects the county's competitive standing among American counties overall.
2 / 5
Newton Tops Mississippi's Median
With a score of 67.8, Newton exceeds Mississippi's average of 67.5, ranking it among the state's better-performing counties. This narrow but real advantage signals slightly better livability conditions for residents.
3 / 5
Low Taxes, Affordable Housing, Good Health
Newton leads in tax efficiency (79.8) with a 0.799% effective rate, cost (87.1) with homes at $102,700 and rent at $722/month, and health (54.0) well above the county average. This trio makes Newton a genuine all-arounder in livability.
4 / 5
Income Growth Remains a Constraint
Newton's income score of 16.3 and median household income of $50,426 represent the county's primary livability weakness. Risk management (47.6) also trails, indicating economic vulnerability in certain areas.
5 / 5
Ideal for Health-Conscious Budget Seekers
Newton County fits families and individuals prioritizing affordable housing, low taxes, and decent health infrastructure over high wages. It's a pragmatic choice for those building security on modest incomes.
Newton County scores 67.8 on livability, placing it at the 60th percentile nationally and 35.6 points above the U.S. median of 50.0. This strong performance reflects the county's competitive standing among American counties overall.
Newton Tops Mississippi's Median
With a score of 67.8, Newton exceeds Mississippi's average of 67.5, ranking it among the state's better-performing counties. This narrow but real advantage signals slightly better livability conditions for residents.
Low Taxes, Affordable Housing, Good Health
Newton leads in tax efficiency (79.8) with a 0.799% effective rate, cost (87.1) with homes at $102,700 and rent at $722/month, and health (54.0) well above the county average. This trio makes Newton a genuine all-arounder in livability.
Income Growth Remains a Constraint
Newton's income score of 16.3 and median household income of $50,426 represent the county's primary livability weakness. Risk management (47.6) also trails, indicating economic vulnerability in certain areas.
Ideal for Health-Conscious Budget Seekers
Newton County fits families and individuals prioritizing affordable housing, low taxes, and decent health infrastructure over high wages. It's a pragmatic choice for those building security on modest incomes.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Newton County's effective rate of 0.799% ranks among the lowest in the nation, where homeowners typically pay 0.95% of property value. Residents here enjoy a meaningful tax advantage compared to most U.S. counties.
Lowest burden in Mississippi
At 0.799%, Newton County's effective rate is the lowest among Mississippi's 82 counties, sitting 7.5% below the state average of 0.743%. The county's median tax of $821 represents exceptional affordability for property owners statewide.
Clear tax advantage locally
Newton's 0.799% rate undercuts nearly all regional neighbors: Montgomery County (0.896%), Neshoba County (0.886%), Noxubee County (1.011%), and Panola County (0.769%). Only Pearl River County (0.677%) taxes at a lower rate in the broader area.
Median home costs $821 yearly
On Newton's median home value of $102,700, homeowners pay approximately $821 per year—or about $68 monthly. With a mortgage, escrow payments typically amount to around $992 annually.
Verify your assessment is correct
Even in low-tax counties, some homeowners are assessed above fair market value, and Newton County is no exception. Request a reassessment review if you believe your property value doesn't match recent comparable sales in your area.
Newton County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% is well below the national average, reflecting housing that remains proportional to local earning power. The median household income of $50,426 lags the U.S. average by one-third, but Newton's $722 median rent scales appropriately.
Among Mississippi's most affordable options
Newton's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio matches the state's better performers and beats the Mississippi average of 19.6% by a solid margin. The county's median rent of $722 is about $60 below the state median, offering genuine savings for area renters.
The middle ground in east-central Mississippi
Newton's $722 rent sits between affordable Montgomery ($682) and pricier Neshoba ($759), positioning it squarely in the middle of its regional peer group. The county offers a balance of moderate costs without sacrificing proximity to neighboring employment or services.
Newton's housing burden is light
Residents earn a median of $50,426 annually and dedicate just $722 monthly to rent—17.2% of income, well below the 30% affordability standard. Homeowners shoulder an even lighter load at $555 monthly, making Newton accessible across both rental and ownership paths.
Newton delivers solid value for movers
Comparing Mississippi counties, Newton's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio and $722 median rent offer competitive affordability without the lowest income levels. If you want reasonable housing costs paired with moderate household earnings, Newton provides a balanced alternative to cheaper but lower-wage counties.
Newton County's median household income of $50,426 reaches about 67% of the national median of $74,755, a gap typical of rural counties in the Deep South. The shortfall reflects limited access to high-wage industries common in metropolitan areas.
Slightly above Mississippi average
At $50,426, Newton County earns roughly 4% more than Mississippi's state median of $48,514, ranking in the middle tier among the state's 82 counties. The county's per capita income of $29,039 also exceeds the state average of $27,136.
Mid-range earner in the cluster
Newton County's $50,426 median sits between Noxubee County's $38,814 and Neshoba County's $53,087, making it a solidly middle-income county in this region. It outpaces Montgomery County ($45,057) and tracks closely with Perry County ($50,435).
Housing costs align with income
Newton County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio indicates housing affordability, with residents spending roughly one-sixth of earnings on rent or mortgage. The median home value of $102,700 is within reach for households earning the county median.
Invest in your financial future
Newton County's modest-but-stable incomes and manageable housing costs support retirement and savings goals. Consider automating contributions to employer plans and exploring low-cost index funds through services that cater to working-class savers.
Newton County's 69.9-year life expectancy sits closer to national averages than most Mississippi counties, though still 6.2 years below the U.S. median of 76.1 years. A quarter of residents (26.3%) report fair or poor health, better than Montgomery or Neshoba but still significantly above the national 18% baseline.
Slightly below state health average
Newton's 69.9-year life expectancy edges below Mississippi's 70.9-year state mean, placing it in the middle tier of county outcomes. Its 13.2% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average of 13.9%, suggesting more equitable insurance access than neighboring Montgomery County.
Outperforming Montgomery and Neshoba
Newton's 69.9-year life expectancy bests both Montgomery (68.8 years) and Neshoba (66.5 years), yet trails Oktibbeha's exceptional 75.2 years. However, Newton's primary care shortage—just 14 providers per 100,000 residents—is among the region's most severe, limiting preventive care capacity.
Provider shortage creates care gaps
Newton's critical shortage of primary care physicians—just 14 per 100,000 residents, roughly a quarter of recommended levels—forces many to delay preventive visits or travel for routine care. Though 13.2% uninsured is relatively low, those with insurance struggle to find available appointments, creating a double bottleneck.
Coverage is your first step forward
Newton County's low uninsured rate shows many have coverage, but if you're among the 13.2% without a plan, enrollment through Mississippi's marketplace can connect you to available providers. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to find plans and learn about free preventive services covered at no cost.
Newton's composite score of 52.45 earns a Relatively Low national rating but exceeds average American county exposure. Your county faces moderate natural hazard pressure compared to nationwide trends.
Slightly above-average for Mississippi
At 52.45, Newton ranks just above Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the middle tier of statewide risk. Your county's hazard exposure mirrors the typical Mississippi experience.
Similar risk to Neshoba, higher than others
Newton (52.45) closely matches Neshoba (58.27) while exceeding Montgomery (10.91) and Noxubee (29.04). Your risk profile aligns with the northeastern Mississippi corridor.
Tornado and hurricane top your hazard list
Tornado risk of 83.49 and hurricane risk of 80.06 represent Newton's primary threats, with earthquake at 57.60 posing moderate secondary danger. Flood (36.61) and wildfire (38.74) risks remain manageable.
Storm coverage is your insurance priority
Your tornado score of 83.49 demands robust homeowners coverage for wind and hail damage. Document your home's condition and assets now, and develop a family tornado response plan with designated shelter locations.