Stone County's composite score of 68.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 37%, demonstrating solid livability across multiple dimensions. The county offers a balanced profile that appeals to residents seeking reliable, mid-range quality of life.
2 / 5
Slightly above Mississippi's middle
Stone County edges ahead of the state average with a score of 68.6 versus Mississippi's 67.5, maintaining respectable standing among the state's 82 counties. This narrow margin reflects steady, if unspectacular, livability metrics across the board.
3 / 5
Balanced affordability and income
Stone County combines a strong cost score of 82.0 with the county's highest income score of 22.1, reflecting a median household income of $59,307 and median home values of $163,300. Its tax score of 85.2 keeps the effective tax burden at a reasonable 0.607%.
4 / 5
Health and risk factors need attention
Health outcomes lag at 56.5, while the risk score of 48.0 suggests environmental or economic vulnerabilities worth monitoring. These moderate scores indicate the county has room to strengthen public health initiatives and community resilience.
5 / 5
A solid choice for working families
Stone County appeals to families balancing work and home life, offering moderate income levels, affordable housing, and reasonable taxes without major livability concerns. It's a low-drama option for those seeking stability over rapid growth or premium amenities.
Stone County's composite score of 68.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 37%, demonstrating solid livability across multiple dimensions. The county offers a balanced profile that appeals to residents seeking reliable, mid-range quality of life.
Slightly above Mississippi's middle
Stone County edges ahead of the state average with a score of 68.6 versus Mississippi's 67.5, maintaining respectable standing among the state's 82 counties. This narrow margin reflects steady, if unspectacular, livability metrics across the board.
Balanced affordability and income
Stone County combines a strong cost score of 82.0 with the county's highest income score of 22.1, reflecting a median household income of $59,307 and median home values of $163,300. Its tax score of 85.2 keeps the effective tax burden at a reasonable 0.607%.
Health and risk factors need attention
Health outcomes lag at 56.5, while the risk score of 48.0 suggests environmental or economic vulnerabilities worth monitoring. These moderate scores indicate the county has room to strengthen public health initiatives and community resilience.
A solid choice for working families
Stone County appeals to families balancing work and home life, offering moderate income levels, affordable housing, and reasonable taxes without major livability concerns. It's a low-drama option for those seeking stability over rapid growth or premium amenities.
Score breakdown
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🏛85.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Stone County's 0.607% effective rate is significantly lower than the national median of 0.88%, placing it roughly in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $991 is less than two-fifths the national median of $2,690.
Slightly above Mississippi's state average
Stone County's 0.607% rate edges above Mississippi's 0.743% average, and the $991 median tax bill exceeds the state median of $931 by about 6%. This positions Stone County in the middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties.
Middle ground among regional peers
Stone County's 0.607% rate sits between lower-taxed Smith County (0.457%) and higher-taxed Sunflower County (0.879%). The $991 median tax reflects homes valued about 40% higher than Smith County's median, accounting for the difference.
What $991 means for your budget
On a median home valued at $163,300, Stone County homeowners pay approximately $991 per year—about $83 monthly. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,043 annually due to additional service district assessments.
Challenge inflated assessments today
Many Stone County properties are assessed at values above comparable sales in the area. Filing an appeal with your county assessor costs nothing and could lower your tax liability if your assessment exceeds market reality.
Stone County housing costs stay reasonable nationally
Stone County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio aligns closely with American affordability standards, meaning renters here dedicate a typical share of income to housing. With median household income of $59,307—well below the national median of $74,755—a $839 monthly rent remains sustainable for most households.
Mid-pack affordability in Mississippi
Stone County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio beats Mississippi's 19.6% average, positioning it among the state's more affordable counties. At $839 per month, median rent exceeds the state average of $782 but remains modest within regional context.
Steeper rents, higher home values than Smith County
Stone County's $839 rent runs higher than Smith County's $664, reflecting modest differences in economic development across the region. Yet Stone's median home value of $163,300 suggests growing residential demand and steadier property appreciation than neighboring rural counties.
Balanced housing burden across tenants and owners
Stone County renters spend 17.0% of the $59,307 median income on housing, or roughly $848 annually from their gross earnings. Homeowners allocate even more—$745 monthly equals about 15.1% of household income—yet the median home value of $163,300 reflects stronger property equity potential.
Upgrade your homeownership prospects here
Stone County offers a sweet spot for buyers: median homes near $163,000 with monthly owner costs of $745. If homeownership is your goal and you're willing to spend modestly more on rent now, Stone's housing market and growing property values make relocation worth evaluating.
Stone County's median household income of $59,307 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,448, though it performs better than most Mississippi counties. This gap reflects the county's reliance on regional industries and labor markets smaller than the national average.
Stone ranks among state's strongest
Stone County ranks in the upper quarter of Mississippi counties with median household income exceeding the state average of $48,514 by $10,793. This solid standing reflects economic stability and moderate prosperity relative to state peers.
Stone outpaces most regional peers
Stone County's $59,307 income surpasses nearby Sunflower ($40,265) and Tallahatchie ($37,383) counties substantially, though Tate County ($63,995) edges ahead slightly. Stone represents strong earning potential within its regional cluster.
Housing costs remain slightly elevated
Stone County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% stays well below the 30% affordability threshold, though slightly higher than the national comfort zone. The median home value of $163,300 is accessible for typical Stone County households, supporting stable homeownership.
Stone County supports wealth building
With moderate housing costs and above-state-average incomes, Stone County households have capacity for regular savings and investment. Explore employer-sponsored retirement plans, health savings accounts, and diversified investment portfolios to build long-term wealth.
Stone County's health outcomes fall short nationally
Stone County's 71.5-year life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by roughly 5 years, reflecting Mississippi's broader health disparities. The county's 22.8% poor or fair health rate significantly exceeds the national average of about 15%, indicating higher rates of chronic disease and health challenges.
Stone County edges out state average
At 71.5 years, Stone County's life expectancy exceeds Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by a half-year, ranking it among the healthier counties in the state. This modest advantage reflects relatively strong provider access and manageable uninsured rates compared to state peers.
Best provider access in this group
Stone County leads its peers with 32 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly triple Smith County's 7 per 100,000—and 43 mental health providers per 100,000. This strong provider presence helps explain its better health outcomes compared to neighboring counties like Sunflower (67.2 years) and Tunica (66.6 years).
Strong provider access, slightly high uninsured rate
Stone County's 15.2% uninsured rate sits slightly above Mississippi's 13.9% average, meaning about 1 in 6.5 residents lack health coverage. However, Stone County's exceptional provider availability—32 primary care and 43 mental health providers per 100,000—makes getting care relatively easier than in neighboring counties.
Insurance access unlocks local healthcare
With Stone County's strong healthcare infrastructure, having insurance ensures you can access the primary and mental health care available locally. Visit Mississippi's health insurance marketplace or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore coverage options and eliminate the 15.2% uninsured gap.
Stone County slightly above average risk nationally
Stone County's composite risk score of 52.00 earns a Relatively Low rating while modestly exceeding the national average. The county's wildfire risk (84.29) represents its most pronounced exposure, distinguishing it from typical U.S. county profiles.
Stone County at state midpoint for overall risk
At 52.00, Stone County sits just above Mississippi's state average of 50.94, placing it near the median risk level statewide. This positioning reflects balanced exposure across multiple hazard types rather than concentration in a single threat.
Stone County's wildfire risk stands out locally
Stone County's 52.00 composite score falls between safer Tishomingo County (37.09) and riskier Sunflower County (69.62), but its wildfire score (84.29) far exceeds all neighboring counties. This pronounced wildfire exposure reflects forest coverage and seasonal dry conditions unique to the area.
Wildfire and hurricane risks dominate here
Stone County residents face exceptional wildfire risk (84.29)—among the highest in Mississippi—alongside significant hurricane exposure (91.11). Tornado risk remains moderate (54.71), while flood risk stays relatively low (26.65), making fire preparedness the immediate priority.
Wildfire insurance and defensible space essential
Given wildfire risk of 84.29, homeowners must secure robust property coverage with wildfire protection and maintain defensible space around structures. Hurricane coverage is equally critical given the 91.11 score; bundling both protections into a comprehensive homeowner policy offers the most cost-effective protection.