CountyScore

Simpson County

Mississippi · MS

#29 in Mississippi
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Simpson County, Mississippi

Simpson ranks among top Mississippi counties

Simpson County's composite score of 69.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 19.3 points, placing it in the 69th percentile of U.S. counties. This south-central Mississippi county ranks as one of America's more livable rural regions.

Above Mississippi's state average

Simpson's 69.3 score exceeds Mississippi's state average of 67.5 by 1.8 points, placing it among the state's top performers. It ranks in Mississippi's upper tier for overall livability.

Excellent tax and housing affordability

Simpson leads with a tax score of 85.4 (the highest here, with 0.601% effective rate) and cost score of 85.0 (median rent $819, median home value $111,600). This exceptional tax-and-cost combination creates genuine household purchasing power.

Income remains the limiting factor

Simpson's income score of 18.7 and median household income of $54,111 lag behind state and national benchmarks. The county lacks significant job creation and wage growth to match its livability strengths.

Ideal for remote workers and retirees

Simpson County suits remote workers, retirees, and anyone with outside income seeking exceptional tax efficiency and affordable living. It's one of Mississippi's best buys for those unconcerned with local employment opportunities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.4Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth55.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.7Risk49.1WaterComing Soon
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤55.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡49.1
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 Simpson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Simpson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Simpson County

via TaxByCounty

Simpson County offers lowest effective rates

Simpson County's 0.601% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties, roughly one-fifth the national median of 2.69%. The median property tax of $671 on a median home value of $111,600 demonstrates exceptional savings versus the national median tax of $2,690.

Well below Mississippi average

At 0.601%, Simpson County has the second-lowest effective rate among these eight counties, trailing only Rankin County at 0.620%. This makes Simpson one of Mississippi's most tax-friendly counties.

Most favorable rate in central region

Simpson County's 0.601% rate beats all comparison counties, including Rankin (0.620%) by a razor-thin margin. It represents the bottom-tier tax burden across this group.

Lowest median tax: $671 annually

Simpson County homeowners pay approximately $671 per year on the median home value of $111,600—the lowest among all eight counties. Mortgaged properties average $968 annually due to potential assessed value variations.

Confirm your low assessment is accurate

Simpson County's favorable tax rate doesn't eliminate the possibility of assessment errors—some properties may still be overvalued. Verify your assessed value aligns with recent comparable sales to ensure you're paying no more than necessary.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Simpson County

via CostByCounty

Simpson offers well-balanced affordability

Simpson County residents spend 18.2% of income on rent, well below Mississippi's 19.6% average and comfortably within national norms. With a median household income of $54,111 and $819 monthly rent, Simpson delivers strong income relative to housing costs.

Above-average housing affordability for Mississippi

Simpson County ranks among Mississippi's more affordable counties with an 18.2% rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 19.6%. The county's $819 median rent balances accessibility with reasonable income requirements.

Strong balance of rent and income

Simpson's $819 rent falls between Prentiss ($620) and Pontotoc ($848), while its $54,111 median income matches Pontotoc and exceeds Pike, Scott, and Sharkey counties. This middle positioning offers broad regional comparability without extreme trade-offs.

Modest rental premium with strong income cushion

Simpson renters pay $819 monthly while homeowners spend $569, with renting costing 44% more—typical for Mississippi. Housing consumes just 18.2% of the $54,111 median income, leaving healthy room for savings and discretionary household spending.

Reliable choice for Mississippi relocators

Simpson County offers straightforward, balanced affordability—no extreme costs, solid incomes, and a rent-to-income ratio better than the state average. Families and individuals relocating within Mississippi should consider Simpson for reliable housing cost stability and economic opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Simpson County

via IncomeByCounty

Simpson County lags national income modestly

Simpson County's median household income of $54,111 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 28%, a gap of $20,644 per household. This shortfall is smaller than many Mississippi counties, reflecting Simpson's more diversified employment base.

Above-average earner for Mississippi

Simpson County ranks above Mississippi's median household income of $48,514, earning $5,597 more per household annually. Its per-capita income of $29,599 also exceeds the state average of $27,136, indicating relatively broad-based economic opportunity.

Strong earner among central Mississippi peers

Simpson County's $54,111 income ranks among the region's highest, surpassing Scott County ($48,492) and Sharkey County ($35,741). This advantage reflects stronger economic activity and more stable employment patterns than neighboring counties.

Exceptional housing affordability enables savings

Simpson County's rent-to-income ratio of just 18.2% is among the state's best, providing substantial discretionary income after housing costs. A median home value of $111,600 remains accessible, and the affordability gap creates room for meaningful savings and investment.

Capitalize on strong affordability advantage

Simpson County households earning $54,111 with housing costs at just 18.2% can comfortably allocate 15–20% of income to retirement and investment accounts. This favorable position allows for balanced wealth building—retirement savings, homeownership equity, and diversified investments—creating durable financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Simpson County

via HealthByCounty

Simpson County trails U.S. health averages

Simpson County residents live to 70.6 years on average, 3.9 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. With 23.9% of adults reporting poor or fair health—above the national rate of 18%—Simpson County faces ongoing health challenges that shorten lives and reduce quality of living.

Simpson slightly below state averages

At 70.6 years, Simpson County's life expectancy falls just short of Mississippi's 70.9-year state average by 0.3 years. The 23.9% poor/fair health rate sits near the state median, placing Simpson in the middle tier of Mississippi's health performers—neither crisis-level nor exemplary.

Moderate health profile regionally

Simpson's 70.6-year life expectancy ranks below Prentiss (72.0) and Pontotoc (72.7) but above Pike (69.7), positioning it as a middle performer in North Mississippi. The 23.9% poor health rate aligns with regional peers, though all lag Rankin's exceptional 19.1%.

Stable coverage with adequate providers

Simpson County's 14.2% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 13.9%, affecting roughly 1 in 7 residents. With 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Simpson offers moderate access—comparable to Prentiss and sufficient for routine care, though not exceptional by national standards.

Secure your family's health plan

With 14.2% uninsured, Simpson County residents should explore coverage to protect against unexpected medical costs and ensure preventive care. Visit healthcare.gov to compare plans, check Medicaid eligibility, and enroll before the deadline.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Simpson County

via RiskByCounty

Simpson County aligns with national risk average

Simpson County scores 50.95 on the composite risk scale, essentially matching the national average and indicating moderate, balanced hazard exposure. The county's hurricane risk of 80.60 and tornado risk of 76.72 substantially exceed national norms, yet flood and earthquake risks remain closer to average. This profile suggests Simpson residents should focus preparedness on wind-driven storm hazards.

Simpson County ranks nearly at state average

Simpson County's 50.95 composite score virtually matches Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it precisely in the middle of the state's hazard distribution. The county's 80.60 hurricane risk exceeds state average, while its 76.72 tornado risk aligns closely with typical Mississippi exposure. Simpson's profile represents the archetypal mid-tier Mississippi county for natural disaster risk.

Simpson County shares risk profile with nearby areas

Simpson County's 50.95 composite score closely mirrors Scott County's 55.88 to the east, both counties facing similar wind-driven storm exposure with hurricane risks around 80. However, Simpson ranks substantially safer than Rankin County to the south (84.99), which faces dramatically higher tornado risk. Simpson's moderate positioning reflects its central location among counties with varying hazard profiles.

Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate Simpson's threats

Simpson County residents face hurricane risk of 80.60 and tornado risk of 76.72—two major wind hazards that substantially exceed national averages and demand serious preparation. Flood risk of 51.56 adds a meaningful secondary concern, particularly during spring storms and tropical systems. These three hazards together define the county's natural disaster landscape.

Wind and water protection essential for Simpson County

Homeowners should ensure their properties have reinforced roofing, secure garage doors, and a designated safe room to protect against both tornadoes and hurricane-force winds. Flood insurance is advisable given Simpson's 51.56 flood risk and the frequency of moisture-laden storms in central Mississippi. Schedule annual home inspections to identify vulnerabilities and maintain structural integrity through storm seasons.

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.