CountyScore

Smith County

Mississippi · MS

#8 in Mississippi
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Smith County, Mississippi

Smith County leads the nation

Smith County's composite score of 71.9 sits 44% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of livable counties nationwide. This strong performance reflects a county where affordability and tax burden stand out as genuine competitive advantages.

A top performer in Mississippi

Smith County ranks among Mississippi's best counties with a score of 71.9, exceeding the state average of 67.5 by 4.4 points. It shares company with only a handful of other Mississippi counties achieving this level of overall livability.

Unbeatable tax and housing costs

Smith County excels with a tax score of 89.4 and a cost score of 88.5, offering one of the lowest effective tax rates in the nation at 0.457% and median home values of just $114,000. Renters find similar relief with gross monthly rent averaging $664.

Income growth remains limited

The county's income score of 16.9 reveals its primary weakness: a median household income of $51,396 trails state and national averages significantly. Health outcomes (56.9) and environmental risk factors (52.8) also present opportunities for improvement.

Best for budget-conscious retirees

Smith County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes, affordable housing, and a slower pace of life over job growth or higher wages. Its strength in cost efficiency makes it ideal for those living on fixed incomes or seeking maximum purchasing power in the South.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.4Cost88.5SafetyComing SoonHealth56.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.9Risk52.8WaterComing Soon
🏛89.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.8
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 Smith County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
71.9
Median income: $47,728
Clear Creek County
Colorado
71.9
Median income: $96,667
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121

Deep Dives

Smith County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Smith County

via TaxByCounty

Smith County taxes rank low nationally

Smith County's effective tax rate of 0.457% sits well below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. A homeowner paying $521 in annual property tax here spends about five times less than the national median of $2,690, even though homes cost roughly 40% less.

Among Mississippi's most tax-friendly

Smith County's 0.457% rate is 39% lower than Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, making it one of the state's easiest counties on property owners. The median tax bill of $521 ranks well below the state median of $931.

Lower taxes than surrounding counties

Smith County residents pay less than neighbors like Sunflower County (0.879% rate) and Tate County (0.768% rate), though they pay slightly more than Tunica County's notably low 0.440%. Among nearby peers, Smith County offers a balanced tax environment without being the absolute lowest in the region.

What $521 buys annually in Smith

On the median home valued at $114,000, Smith County homeowners pay roughly $521 per year—or about $44 monthly. Those with a mortgage typically pay $715 annually when accounting for homestead exemptions and local assessments.

Review your assessment for overages

Even in tax-friendly Smith County, many homeowners discover their properties are assessed above actual market value. A professional assessment appeal could reduce your tax burden further if your home's assessed value exceeds what it would sell for today.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Smith County

via CostByCounty

Smith County rents are a bargain nationally

At 15.5%, Smith County's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the nation's affordability threshold—renters here spend significantly less of their income on housing than typical Americans. The national median household income of $74,755 towers over Smith County's $51,396, yet monthly rent of $664 keeps housing costs manageable even for lower earners.

Among Mississippi's most affordable counties

Smith County ranks among the state's best for rental affordability, with a 15.5% rent-to-income ratio that beats Mississippi's 19.6% state average. Median rent of $664 undercuts the state's $782 standard, giving renters breathing room that many Mississippi counties don't enjoy.

Competitive pricing in rural central region

Smith County's $664 rent aligns closely with Sunflower County ($670) and Tallahatchie County ($695) to the north, creating a consistent rental landscape across rural central Mississippi. Homeownership costs diverge more widely—Smith's $532 monthly mortgage payment is notably lower than nearby Tippah County's $667.

Housing takes a modest slice of income

Smith County residents allocate just 15.5% of their $51,396 median income to rent, leaving $3,860 annually for other essentials. For homeowners, monthly costs average $532, meaning owner-occupied housing claims roughly 12.5% of median household income.

Affordable stability for budget-conscious families

If you're relocating on a moderate income, Smith County offers a rare combination: rents below $700 and median home values under $120,000. Compare this stability to neighboring counties or Mississippi's state average before deciding—you may find Smith's affordability hard to beat.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Smith County

via IncomeByCounty

Smith County trails national income

Smith County's median household income of $51,396 falls $23,359 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom third nationally. This gap reflects broader economic challenges across rural Mississippi counties compared to wealthier metropolitan areas nationwide.

Above average for Mississippi

Smith County ranks above the Mississippi state average, with median household income exceeding the state's $48,514 by roughly $2,900. This positions Smith County in the middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties for household earnings.

Smith holds steady among peers

Smith County's $51,396 income sits comfortably ahead of struggling Sunflower ($40,265) and Tallahatchie ($37,383) counties but trails wealthier Tate County ($63,995) to the north. Among its regional peers, Smith represents solid middle-ground earning power.

Rent remains manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.5%, Smith County households spend less than the recommended 30% threshold on housing, indicating reasonable affordability. The median home value of $114,000 aligns well with local income levels, making homeownership accessible for many families.

Build savings with local income

Smith County residents earning above the median have room to invest in retirement accounts, education funds, and home equity. Consider consulting a financial advisor to maximize low-cost investment vehicles and take advantage of employer retirement matching where available.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Smith County

via HealthByCounty

Smith County lives slightly above the curve

At 72.8 years, Smith County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.4 years by a notable gap, reflecting broader health challenges across Mississippi. The county's 25.1% poor or fair health rate sits well above the national average of roughly 15%, indicating significant room for improvement in chronic disease management and preventive care.

Smith County ranks above Mississippi average

Smith County's 72.8-year life expectancy outpaces Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by nearly two years, placing it in the healthier tier of Mississippi counties. This advantage suggests better disease management or healthier lifestyle patterns compared to many rural peer counties.

Better off than Sunflower or Tunica

Smith County's 72.8-year life expectancy outperforms Sunflower County (67.2 years) and Tunica County (66.6 years), though it lags behind Stone County (71.5 years) and Tippah County (71.5 years). With only 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Smith County faces a significant provider shortage compared to Stone County's 32 per 100,000.

Low provider access offsets good insurance rates

Smith County's 13.8% uninsured rate matches Mississippi's state average, providing insurance coverage for nearly 9 in 10 residents—but only 7 primary care providers per 100,000 means finding that first appointment requires persistence. Mental health support is similarly stretched, with just 14 providers per 100,000 residents struggling to meet demand.

Check your coverage options today

With 13.8% of Smith County residents uninsured, exploring enrollment through Mississippi's health insurance marketplace or Medicaid expansion could improve your access to those limited primary care spots. Contact local health departments or visit HealthCare.gov to learn about plans that fit your budget and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Smith County

via RiskByCounty

Smith County's composite risk slightly below average

With a composite risk score of 47.20, Smith County ranks as Relatively Low—better than the national average. This positioning reflects a mixed hazard profile where some risks exceed national norms while others remain manageable.

Below-average risk in Mississippi's landscape

Smith County's score of 47.20 sits comfortably below Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it in the lower half of risk exposure statewide. This favorable standing provides some protection relative to neighboring counties facing higher composite threats.

Smith County faces mixed risk compared to neighbors

Smith County's 47.20 score places it between safer Tishomingo County (37.09) to the north and riskier Sunflower County (69.62) to the west. The county's hurricane risk (83.90) notably exceeds that of inland neighbors, reflecting its proximity to Gulf coast threats.

Hurricanes and tornadoes pose greatest threats

Smith County residents face outsized hurricane risk (83.90) and significant tornado exposure (71.15), both driven by seasonal weather patterns. Flood risk remains moderate (40.81), making these wind-driven hazards the primary concern for preparedness planning.

Prioritize wind and flood coverage now

Homeowners should ensure comprehensive wind and hurricane coverage as a baseline, given the 83.90 hurricane risk score. Adding flood insurance is prudent given moderate flood exposure, especially in low-lying areas near streams and tributaries.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.