CountyScore

Oktibbeha County

Mississippi · MS

#53 in Mississippi
66.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

Oktibbeha Ranks Above National Median

Oktibbeha County scores 66.1, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 16.1 points and placing it in the 57th percentile nationwide. The county demonstrates solid livability credentials in national context.

Slightly Below State Average

Oktibbeha's 66.1 trails Mississippi's 67.5 average by 1.4 points, situating it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. This modest gap reflects competitive but not exceptional livability standing within Mississippi.

Excellent Health and Very Low Taxes

Oktibbeha leads with the highest health score (61.5) and an impressively low effective tax rate (0.768%). The county also scores well on tax efficiency (80.7), meaning residents enjoy strong healthcare infrastructure with light tax burdens.

Housing Costs and Income Concerns

Oktibbeha's cost score of 79.4—the lowest in the group—reflects higher-than-typical median home values ($219,500) and rent ($873/month). Income (11.8) and median household earnings of $43,482 lag, creating affordability strain.

Best for Health-Conscious Professionals

Oktibbeha suits professionals seeking strong healthcare and medical services willing to accept higher housing costs. It's ideal for those with stable careers in education or healthcare who value health infrastructure over maximum affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.7Cost79.4SafetyComing SoonHealth61.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.8Risk37.2WaterComing Soon
🏛80.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡37.2
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 Oktibbeha County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Terrell County
Georgia
66.1
Median income: $43,812
Ada County
Idaho
66.1
Median income: $88,907
Edwards County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $53,792
Harvey County
Kansas
66.1
Median income: $73,269
Ascension Parish
Louisiana
66.1
Median income: $92,266

Deep Dives

Oktibbeha County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Oktibbeha County

via TaxByCounty

Oktibbeha taxes moderate to low

Oktibbeha County's effective rate of 0.768% sits comfortably below the national median of roughly 0.95%, placing it in the lower-tax half nationally. Its higher median tax of $1,685 reflects a higher median home value, not steeper rates.

Below state average by design

At 0.768%, Oktibbeha's effective rate falls 3.4% below Mississippi's 0.743% average, making it a moderate-tax county statewide. The county's median home value of $219,500 is substantially higher than the state norm, explaining the elevated median tax.

Competitive rate in region

Oktibbeha's 0.768% rate matches Panola County and undercuts Montgomery (0.896%) and Neshoba (0.886%), placing it in the middle-to-lower tier regionally. Newton (0.799%) and Pearl River (0.677%) tax slightly lower, while Noxubee (1.011%) taxes considerably higher.

Higher values mean higher bills

Oktibbeha's median home value of $219,500 is the highest in the region, resulting in an estimated annual property tax of $1,685—about $140 monthly. Homeowners with mortgages typically face escrow payments closer to $2,205 per year.

Protect your investment with review

With Oktibbeha's higher home values and property taxes, verifying your assessment accuracy is especially important—errors compound into larger dollar losses. If your assessed value significantly exceeds comparable recent sales, filing an appeal could recover hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Oktibbeha County

via CostByCounty

Oktibbeha's rental costs stand out

Oktibbeha County's rent-to-income ratio of 24.1% significantly exceeds the national average, with renters paying a notably larger share of income toward housing. The median household income of $43,482 is well below the U.S. median, yet rents at $873 monthly are the highest in this eight-county comparison.

Highest rent burden in Mississippi comparison

At 24.1%, Oktibbeha's rent-to-income ratio substantially exceeds Mississippi's state average of 19.6%, making it the least affordable for renters in this group. The median rent of $873 towers $91 above the state median of $782, driven partly by the presence of Mississippi State University.

Starkville campus effect raises rents

Oktibbeha's $873 median rent far exceeds all neighboring counties: Montgomery ($682), Newton ($722), and Neshoba ($759) are all substantially cheaper. The university presence drives rental demand and prices upward, creating affordability challenges for non-student residents with modest incomes.

College town premium erodes affordability

Households earn just $43,482 annually but pay $873 in median rent—24.1% of income, well above the 30% threshold and among the worst ratios here. Homeowners face similar pressure at $872 monthly, and the median home value of $219,500 is more than double neighboring counties, reflecting university-driven demand.

Oktibbeha: university draw, affordability trade-off

Oktibbeha offers Mississippi State's economic ecosystem and cultural amenities, but renters pay the price: $873 monthly rents consume 24.1% of the median income of $43,482. If university proximity matters, Oktibbeha is worth the cost; otherwise, nearby Montgomery, Newton, or Neshoba offer significantly better affordability ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Oktibbeha County

via IncomeByCounty

Oktibbeha income lags nation by 42%

Oktibbeha County's median household income of $43,482 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $31,000, a gap widened by the county's large student and retirement-age populations. The income figure reflects the economic character of a college-anchored community.

Below average for Mississippi

Oktibbeha County's $43,482 median falls about 10% short of Mississippi's state average of $48,514, placing it in the lower half of the state's 82 counties. The lower median reflects significant student-population effects from Mississippi State University.

Middle-to-lower income locally

Oktibbeha County's $43,482 ranks below Neshoba County ($53,087) and Pearl River County ($56,535), but above Noxubee County ($38,814) and trails Montgomery County ($45,057) slightly. The county's substantial student body depresses median income metrics.

Housing burden climbs here

Oktibbeha County's 24.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this county cluster, reflecting a mismatch between local incomes and housing costs. The median home value of $219,500—driven by college-town demand—strains working families earning near the county median.

Plan around student-life cycles

Oktibbeha County residents should account for income variability tied to academic calendars and post-graduation migration. Build flexible savings plans and take advantage of employer benefits; families benefiting from university employment often access retirement and education benefits.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Oktibbeha County

via HealthByCounty

Health outcomes lead the entire region

Oktibbeha County's 75.2-year life expectancy stands just 0.9 years below the national average of 76.1 years—the strongest outcome among all eight counties examined. Only 22.9% report fair or poor health, well below the national 18% baseline, signaling consistent access to preventive care and health management.

Mississippi's healthiest county in this set

At 75.2 years, Oktibbeha exceeds Mississippi's 70.9-year state average by 4.3 years—a dramatic gap that reflects better insurance access, provider density, and economic stability. Its 13.1% uninsured rate nearly matches the state average, suggesting equitable coverage in a county with stronger overall health.

Outperforms every regional peer

Oktibbeha's 75.2-year life expectancy towers over all neighbors: Panola (70.5 years), Pearl River (70.7 years), Newton (69.9 years), and far exceeds Neshoba (66.5 years). Its 41 primary care providers and 252 mental health providers per 100,000 represent the region's strongest provider density and explain its superior health trajectory.

Strong providers, robust insurance coverage

Oktibbeha combines 41 primary care physicians per 100,000 with 252 mental health specialists—the highest mental health capacity in this analysis—and a 13.1% uninsured rate that approaches best-practice levels. These factors align to create a county where most residents can access preventive care, manage chronic disease, and address mental health without delay.

Maintain momentum with continuous coverage

Oktibbeha's success rests partly on strong insurance enrollment; if you're among the 13.1% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to secure coverage and join neighbors who benefit from the county's robust provider network. Continuous coverage ensures you keep preventive appointments that maintain Oktibbeha's regional health leadership.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Oktibbeha County

via RiskByCounty

Oktibbeha faces above-average U.S. risk

Oktibbeha's 62.79 composite score places it in the Relatively Low category nationally but exceeds typical American county exposure. Your county experiences measurable natural hazard pressure compared to the broader U.S.

Among higher-risk Mississippi counties

At 62.79, Oktibbeha ranks significantly above Mississippi's 50.94 state average, placing it in the upper tier of statewide risk. Your county is notably more hazard-exposed than the typical Mississippi community.

One of the riskier counties in region

Oktibbeha (62.79) exceeds most neighbors including Neshoba (58.27), Newton (52.45), and Noxubee (29.04), matching Panola (69.21). Your county carries elevated risk compared to surrounding areas.

Earthquake, tornado, hurricane converge as threats

Earthquake (85.05) and tornado (83.30) represent your two highest risks, while hurricane (69.17) adds substantial third-tier danger. Flood risk at 53.24 also exceeds state average exposure.

Comprehensive coverage addresses multiple threats

Given earthquake risk of 85.05 and tornado risk of 83.30, earthquake coverage should accompany your standard homeowners policy. Flood insurance becomes advisable with your 53.24 flood score; consult FEMA flood maps and your lender's requirements.

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.