countyscore
53.8
County Score
Safety 87Income & Jobs 80.6Property Tax 72.1

County Report Card

About Rankin County, Mississippi

Outperforming the National Livability Benchmark

Rankin County earns a 53.7 composite score, beating the national median of 50.0. It stands as a beacon of economic prosperity in the Southeast.

Leading the State in Economic Metrics

With a score of 53.7, Rankin easily clears the Mississippi average of 48.4. It is one of the state's premier counties for high earners and professional families.

Superior Incomes and Public Safety

The county excels with an income score of 80.7 and a safety score of 87.0. Median household income reaches a robust $77,454, supported by a low 0.620% tax rate.

High Costs and Environmental Risks

A low cost score of 19.6 reflects the county's premium pricing, with home values at $223,400. Additionally, the risk score of 15.0 suggests susceptibility to natural hazards.

Tailored for High-Earning Professionals

Rankin County is the top choice for families seeking high incomes and safe neighborhoods. You pay a premium for the lifestyle, but the economic opportunities are unmatched.

2040608010072.120.48752.445.880.61536.137.1Tax72.1Cost20.4Safety87Health52.4Schools45.8Income80.6Risk15Water36.1Weather37.153.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Rankin County DNA

Foverall

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

Rankin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (87/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (15/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
72.1+20.099999999999994
Cost
20.4-27.6
Safety
87+32
Health
52.4
Schools
45.8-8.200000000000003
Income
80.6+29.599999999999994
Risk
15-32
Water
36.1-21.9
Weather
37.1-18.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Rankin County

Whether buying or refinancing in Rankin County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$237,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,270/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$237,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$50,800/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $79,357/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

14.5

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

Madison County
Mississippi
46.1
Scott County
Mississippi
44.5
Hinds County
Mississippi
38.6
Simpson County
Mississippi
54.5
Smith County
Mississippi
61.7
Leake County
Mississippi
49.8
Yazoo County
Mississippi
48.1
Copiah County
Mississippi
54.4

Deep Dives

Rankin County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rankin County

via TaxByCounty

Rankin County's lowest rate in state

Rankin County boasts the lowest effective tax rate at just 0.620%, placing it in the bottom 8% of U.S. counties. At $1,384 annually on a median home value of $223,400, Rankin homeowners pay less than half the national median property tax of $2,690.

Least taxed county in Mississippi group

Rankin County's 0.620% effective rate is the lowest among Mississippi's eight profiled counties and well below the state average of 0.743%. Homeowners benefit from a tax-friendly environment despite higher property values than most rural Mississippi counties.

Competitive advantage in capital region

Rankin County's 0.620% rate beats all comparison counties, including nearby Hinds and Madison counties in the Jackson metro area. This low rate, combined with higher median home values, makes Rankin an attractive county for property owners.

Higher values, lower tax burden overall

With a median home value of $223,400, Rankin County homeowners pay approximately $1,384 annually—the highest dollar amount in this group but still a favorable effective rate. Mortgaged properties average $1,512 per year.

Verify your assessment despite favorable rates

Even in low-tax counties like Rankin, overassessed properties exist on the rolls. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales, file an appeal with the county assessor to ensure accuracy.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rankin County

via IncomeByCounty

Rankin County exceeds national income levels

Rankin County's median household income of $77,454 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by $2,699—a rare achievement among Mississippi counties. This positioning reflects Rankin County's role as a prosperous suburban and commercial hub, particularly benefiting from proximity to the Jackson metro area.

Commanding income leader across Mississippi

Rankin County dominates Mississippi's income landscape, earning $28,940 more than the state median of $48,514—a 60% premium. Its per-capita income of $37,662 also far exceeds Mississippi's state average of $27,136, establishing Rankin as the state's economic flagship.

Substantially outearns all adjacent counties

Rankin County's $77,454 income demolishes neighboring Scott County ($48,492) and Simpson County ($54,111), commanding an income advantage of $23,000–$29,000 per household. This gap underscores Rankin County's distinct economic standing within the region.

Housing costs remain manageable despite prosperity

Rankin County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.8% reflects strong affordability even as median home values reach $223,400. Higher-income households easily meet housing costs while maintaining discretionary income for savings, education, and wealth accumulation.

Accelerate wealth through strategic investing

Rankin County's $77,454 income and favorable housing ratio create ideal conditions for aggressive wealth building—allocating 20% or more to retirement accounts, brokerage investments, and real estate equity. Households should prioritize tax-advantaged strategies like 401(k) maximization and Roth conversions to compound long-term gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rankin County

via CrimeByCounty

Rankin County is one of the safest nationally

Rankin County is exceptionally safe with a total crime rate of 293.3 per 100,000, roughly 88% lower than the national average. This high performance earns the county a safety score of 99.5.

Exceeding Mississippi's average safety standards

Rankin County’s safety score of 99.5 comfortably exceeds the Mississippi state average of 98.4. It stands out as one of the more secure regions within the state's central corridor.

Rankin outperforms regional neighbors in safety

With nine reporting agencies, Rankin’s rate of 293.3 is much lower than Scott County's 837.4. This data suggests a very secure environment compared to its immediate neighbors.

Violent crime remains rare in Rankin

Violent crime occurs at a rate of only 40.1 per 100,000 residents. Property crime accounts for 253.2 incidents, which is a mere fraction of the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Maintaining a secure home in Rankin

High safety scores are best maintained through consistent home security practices and neighborhood engagement. Installing a modern alarm system adds an extra layer of peace of mind.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Rankin County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Central Mississippi Climate Profile

Rankin County averages 65.4°F annually, which is about 11 degrees higher than the national median. This warm profile supports long summers and very mild transitions between seasons.

Slightly Warmer Than the State Median

At 65.4°F, Rankin County is about 1.5 degrees warmer than the Mississippi state average of 63.9°F. It represents the typical climate experience for the central part of the state.

High Heat with Moderate Rainfall

Rankin County experiences 85 days of extreme heat, nearly double the count of Prentiss County. Its annual rainfall of 57.4 inches is slightly lower than the state average of 59.6 inches.

Hot Summers and One Inch of Snow

Summer temperatures average 81.2°F, with July being particularly hot at 82.1°F. In contrast, winters are mild but can still produce 1.0 inch of snowfall on average.

Prepare for Long Cooling Seasons

Air conditioning is a necessity for the 85 days of extreme heat each year. Residents should also be prepared for rare winter events, as the county averages a full inch of snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Rankin County

via SoilByCounty

High Acidity Levels near Jackson

Rankin County soils are notably acidic, with an average pH of 4.94, well below the state average of 5.30. This pH level is significantly lower than the national median of 6.5, making it one of the more challenging areas for pH-sensitive plants. The county’s soil score of 30.5 sits below the Mississippi state average of 35.7.

Silt-Dominated Soil Structure

Silt makes up 51.8% of the soil, providing a fine texture that is supported by 30.9% sand and 14.2% clay. This high silt content makes the soil susceptible to erosion if not covered by vegetation or mulch. The lower clay percentage ensures the soil doesn't become too compacted, but it may lack some nutrient-holding capacity.

Strong Moisture Storage Potential

Rankin County features an available water capacity of 0.188 in/in, outperforming the state average of 0.174 in/in. However, organic matter is relatively low at 1.52%, compared to the 1.81% state average. Gardeners will find that adding organic amendments can bridge the gap between high water storage and low nutrient levels.

Silty Soil and Water Movement

Specific drainage classifications are unavailable, but the 51.8% silt content typically indicates moderate to slow drainage. This silt-heavy soil can hold onto water for extended periods, which is beneficial during the hot Mississippi summer. Care should be taken to avoid soil compaction, which silty soils are particularly prone to when wet.

Expanding Gardens in Zone 8b

Rankin County is in hardiness zone 8b, providing a long, hot growing season for heat-loving crops. While the acidic pH of 4.94 is a challenge for some, it is ideal for blueberries and camellias. With a bit of lime and compost, your zone 8b garden will yield a bounty of summer vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rankin County

via LawnByCounty

Meeting the Rankin County Maintenance Challenge

Rankin County earns a lawn difficulty score of 27.1, indicating a more strenuous maintenance environment than the state average of 30.9. Gardeners in this Zone 8b region must combat high acidity and significant summer heat. Maintaining a lush lawn here requires a data-driven approach to soil and water management.

Long Growing Seasons and High Heat

Rankin County endures 85 days of extreme heat annually, well above the state average of 73 days. The region receives 57.4 inches of rain, which is slightly above the ideal threshold but manageable with proper drainage. A high count of 6162 growing degree days means your mower will stay busy from March through November.

Extreme Acidity in Rankin Soils

The soil pH in Rankin County is a very low 4.94, making it one of the most acidic profiles in the state. With 30.9% sand and 14.2% clay, the soil provides a moderate structure but struggles to hold onto essential nutrients. Heavy lime applications are essential to bring the pH toward the 6.0-7.0 range required for most turf.

Navigating Abnormally Dry Conditions

Rankin County saw 10 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100% of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry. This widespread dryness means your lawn is likely under stress even if it isn't currently in a declared severe drought. Focus on deep soaking to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil for better survival.

Best Turf Options for Rankin County

Centipedegrass is a popular choice for this area as it handles acidic soils better than many other species. Aim to seed or sod following the last spring frost on March 14 to capitalize on the long growing season. Your lawn will likely maintain its color until the first fall frost around November 14.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rankin County's county score?
Rankin County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 53.8 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 Rankin County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Rankin County ranks #30 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 Rankin County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Rankin County is $1,428, with an effective tax rate of 0.60%. This earns Rankin County a tax score of 72.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rankin County?
The median household income in Rankin County, Mississippi is $79,357 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rankin County earns an income score of 80.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rankin County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Rankin County scores 53.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #30 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Rankin 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 Rankin 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.