Pontotoc County's composite score of 69.2 tops the national median of 50.0 by 19 points, ranking in the 69th percentile across all U.S. counties. This northeast Mississippi county is among the more livable places in America, let alone the state.
2 / 5
Exceeds state average by nearly 2 points
At 69.2, Pontotoc surpasses Mississippi's average composite score of 67.5, placing it among the state's top performers. It ranks in Mississippi's upper tier of counties for overall livability.
3 / 5
Low taxes, low costs, solid health
Pontotoc shines across three dimensions: tax (83.7, with an effective rate of 0.660%), cost (83.6, with median rent $848 and home values $141,700), and health (59.1). This combination of fiscal efficiency and affordability creates genuine household value.
4 / 5
Income growth remains constrained
Despite its strengths, Pontotoc's income score of 17.8 and median household income of $52,741 lag behind national and regional prosperity benchmarks. Limited wage opportunities remain a concern for upward-mobile families.
5 / 5
Ideal for value-conscious families
Pontotoc County best serves families and remote workers who want a stable, affordable, healthy community without breaking the bank. Its low-tax, low-cost profile makes it attractive to those who've built wealth elsewhere and seek a measured lifestyle.
Pontotoc County's composite score of 69.2 tops the national median of 50.0 by 19 points, ranking in the 69th percentile across all U.S. counties. This northeast Mississippi county is among the more livable places in America, let alone the state.
Exceeds state average by nearly 2 points
At 69.2, Pontotoc surpasses Mississippi's average composite score of 67.5, placing it among the state's top performers. It ranks in Mississippi's upper tier of counties for overall livability.
Low taxes, low costs, solid health
Pontotoc shines across three dimensions: tax (83.7, with an effective rate of 0.660%), cost (83.6, with median rent $848 and home values $141,700), and health (59.1). This combination of fiscal efficiency and affordability creates genuine household value.
Income growth remains constrained
Despite its strengths, Pontotoc's income score of 17.8 and median household income of $52,741 lag behind national and regional prosperity benchmarks. Limited wage opportunities remain a concern for upward-mobile families.
Ideal for value-conscious families
Pontotoc County best serves families and remote workers who want a stable, affordable, healthy community without breaking the bank. Its low-tax, low-cost profile makes it attractive to those who've built wealth elsewhere and seek a measured lifestyle.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.660%, Pontotoc County's effective tax rate places it in the bottom 10% nationwide, roughly one-quarter the national median of 2.69%. The median annual property tax of $935 is less than 35% of the national median of $2,690.
Below-average taxes for Mississippi
Pontotoc County ranks below the state average with a 0.660% effective rate versus Mississippi's 0.743%. This makes Pontotoc one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state.
Competitive with surrounding counties
Pontotoc's 0.660% rate sits below most neighbors, comparable to Rankin County (0.620%) and Scott County (0.799%). Among the region, Pontotoc offers some of the more moderate property tax burdens.
Median tax bill: $935 per year
On Pontotoc County's median home value of $141,700, homeowners pay approximately $935 annually in property taxes. Those with mortgages may see slightly higher assessed amounts, averaging $1,133 per year.
Appeal your assessment if it seems wrong
Even in lower-tax counties, some properties are overvalued on the assessor's roll. Pontotoc County residents can request a formal reassessment review if they believe their property's assessed value doesn't match current market conditions.
Pontotoc County residents spend just 19.3% of income on rent, nearly matching the national standard and beating Mississippi's 19.6% average. With a median household income of $52,741—well above many peers in the state—Pontotoc offers genuinely accessible housing relative to earning power.
Mississippi's middle ground for renters
Pontotoc ranks near the state average for rental affordability with its 19.3% rent-to-income ratio, virtually matching Mississippi's 19.6% statewide benchmark. This stability, combined with $848 monthly rent, positions Pontotoc as a balanced option for Mississippi renters seeking both affordability and economic opportunity.
Competitive with similar-sized counties
Pontotoc's $848 rent sits between Simpson County ($819) and Pike County ($879), while its median household income of $52,741 exceeds both neighbors. This income advantage makes Pontotoc's housing costs feel more manageable than counties with comparable rents but lower earnings.
Balanced rental and ownership costs
Pontotoc renters pay $848 monthly while homeowners spend $629, a 35% premium for renting that's typical nationwide. At $52,741 median income, housing consumes just 19.3% of household earnings, leaving room for savings and discretionary spending.
A stable choice for Mississippi movers
Pontotoc County offers reliable affordability without sacrificing economic prospects—its median income significantly exceeds many rural Mississippi counties. For those relocating within the state, Pontotoc delivers solid housing costs and stronger earning potential than alternatives like Pike or Quitman.
Pontotoc County outpaces state, still behind nation
Pontotoc County's median household income of $52,741 sits 30% below the national median of $74,755, but comfortably above Mississippi's state average of $48,514. This mid-range positioning reflects a more diversified local economy than many rural Mississippi counties.
Upper-middle tier earner within Mississippi
Pontotoc County ranks among Mississippi's stronger-performing counties, earning $4,227 more than the state median. This above-average standing suggests more stable employment and possibly stronger small-business activity than neighboring rural counties.
Outearns most adjacent counties handily
Pontotoc County's $52,741 income exceeds Pike County's $41,578 by 27% and Prentiss County's $51,466 by $1,275. This income edge positions Pontotoc as a relative economic anchor in north-central Mississippi.
Housing remains comfortably affordable here
Pontotoc County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% sits well within the affordability comfort zone, signaling stable housing security for most households. A median home value of $141,700 stays accessible to the median household, supporting long-term wealth accumulation.
Leverage stability to grow long-term wealth
Pontotoc County's relatively solid income of $52,741 creates opportunity for disciplined savers to invest 10–15% of earnings into retirement accounts and index funds. Local affordability means homeownership is within reach for many, unlocking the wealth-building power of mortgage equity.
Pontotoc County residents live to 72.7 years on average, outperforming the U.S. average of 74.5 years by a smaller margin than most Mississippi counties. However, 21.3% of adults report poor or fair health—still well above the national rate of 18%—indicating room for health improvement despite relative longevity.
Pontotoc beats state health averages
At 72.7 years, Pontotoc County's life expectancy exceeds Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by 1.8 years, placing it in the upper tier of county performers. Its 21.3% poor/fair health rate also ranks better than the state median, reflecting stronger overall community health.
Among the healthier counties regionally
Pontotoc's 72.7-year life expectancy tops neighboring Prentiss (72.0) and Simpson (70.6), positioning it as a relative health leader in North Mississippi. The 21.3% poor health rate beats all but the healthiest regional peers, though gaps remain when compared to Rankin County's 19.1%.
Primary care access remains challenging
Pontotoc's 15.0% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 13.9%, affecting roughly 1 in 6.5 residents. The critical concern is provider scarcity: only 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the state—forces many to travel for basic medical care.
Strengthen your coverage this year
With 15% of Pontotoc residents uninsured, exploring coverage options can be life-changing for your family's health and finances. Visit healthcare.gov or your state's insurance marketplace to find plans within your budget and eligibility.
Pontotoc County sits near the national risk baseline
Pontotoc County's composite risk score of 50.10 aligns closely with the national average, indicating moderate but manageable exposure to natural disasters. This rating masks significant variation by hazard type—earthquake risk runs particularly high at 85.27 while flood risk remains relatively low. County residents should focus preparedness efforts on the specific threats most likely to impact their area.
Pontotoc County risk tracks just below state average
Pontotoc's 50.10 score falls just beneath Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it slightly below the middle of the state's risk distribution. This positioning means Pontotoc residents experience fewer natural disaster hazards than many other Mississippians, though several risks merit attention. The county's moderate profile suggests balanced but targeted preparedness is appropriate.
Pontotoc ranks among the safer counties in its region
Pontotoc County's 50.10 composite score compares favorably to Pike County's 70.42 to the south and Scott County's 55.88 to the southeast. Its earthquake risk of 85.27 is notably higher than tornado risk (77.23), contrasting with the profile of nearby counties where tornadoes pose greater threats. This unique hazard mix reflects Pontotoc's distinct geological position in northeast Mississippi.
Earthquakes and tornadoes require attention
Pontotoc County residents face an unusual combination of high earthquake risk (85.27) and moderate tornado risk (77.23), with hurricane exposure at 64.96. The earthquake risk is notably elevated compared to most U.S. counties, requiring careful attention to building safety and emergency planning. Both hazards demand preparedness protocols in homes and workplaces.
Earthquake safety and storm readiness matter in Pontotoc
Homeowners should secure heavy furniture and appliances to walls and understand how to safely shelter during earthquakes, given Pontotoc's 85.27 earthquake risk score. Tornado preparedness—including a safe room or basement shelter and a weather radio—remains equally essential with tornado risk at 77.23. Consider retrofitting older homes to improve structural resilience to both seismic and wind forces.