countyscore
36.2
County Score
Property Tax 60Cost of Living 55.9Disaster Risk 48

County Report Card

About Stone County, Mississippi

Challenges Below the National Median

Stone County holds a composite score of 38.6, which trails the national median score of 50.0. This indicates the area faces significant headwinds in maintaining broad livability standards.

Lagging Behind State Averages

At 38.6, the county falls nearly 10 points short of the Mississippi state average of 48.4. It ranks lower than many surrounding jurisdictions in terms of overall composite performance.

Favorable Tax and Housing Costs

The county's strongest assets are its tax score of 73.4 and cost score of 58.1. An effective tax rate of 0.607% helps offset a median gross rent of $839 per month.

Gaps in Health and Safety

Low scores in health (17.8) and safety (21.4) represent the most pressing concerns for local residents. These figures suggest that improvements in medical access and public safety are necessary to boost local outcomes.

A Value Play with Trade-offs

Stone County suits individuals who prioritize moderate living costs over high-end public services. It is best for those with established careers who can navigate the local health and safety landscape independently.

204060801006055.921.417.820.138.24839.235.3Tax60Cost55.9Safety21.4Health17.8Schools20.1Income38.2Risk48Water39.2Weather35.336.2/100
This county
National avg
6 below average

Stone County DNA

Foverall

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

Stone County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Schools (20.1/100), though Property Tax (60/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
60+8
Cost
55.9
Safety
21.4-33.6
Health
17.8-32.2
Schools
20.1-33.9
Income
38.2-12.799999999999997
Risk
48
Water
39.2-18.799999999999997
Weather
35.3-20.700000000000003
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Compare mortgage rates in Stone County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$936/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,440/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,413/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.4

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

Harrison County
Mississippi
29.6
George County
Mississippi
41.7
Perry County
Mississippi
61
Pearl River County
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Forrest County
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Jackson County
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Hancock County
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Lamar County
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Deep Dives

Stone County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stone County

via TaxByCounty

Stone County taxes below U.S. median

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stone County

via IncomeByCounty

Stone County below national norm

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Stone County

via CrimeByCounty

Stone County Nears National Averages

Stone County reports a total crime rate of 2,031.6 per 100,000 people, which sits slightly below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a respectable safety score of 96.8 out of 100.

Stone County's Standing in Mississippi

The county's total crime rate of 2,031.6 is roughly double the Mississippi state average of 978.4. Its safety score of 96.8 falls just below the state average of 98.4.

Comparing Stones and Neighbors

Stone County experiences more frequent crime than Smith County, where the rate is only 356.4 per 100,000. Local law enforcement agencies work to manage these higher figures within the coastal region.

Violent vs Property Crime Breakdown

The local violent crime rate is 190.6 per 100,000, roughly half the national rate of 369.8. However, property crime is more prevalent, reaching 1,841.0 per 100,000 residents.

Safeguarding Local Property

With property crime representing the bulk of local incidents, securing entry points is essential. Residents should stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to one of the two local reporting agencies.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Stone County

via WeatherByCounty

Subtropical heat near the coast

Stone County's annual average temperature of 66.1°F is significantly higher than the national median. Its location in South Mississippi ensures a climate dominated by warmth and Gulf moisture.

One of Mississippi's warmer counties

Stone County averages 66.1°F, placing it well above the statewide average of 63.9°F. This extra warmth is accompanied by high humidity from the nearby Gulf of Mexico.

Wet and warm southern corridor

While it shares a similar 66°F range with other southern counties, Stone stands out for its 67.4 inches of annual precipitation. This makes it much wetter than Delta counties like Sharkey.

Long summers and heavy rains

Stone County endures 84 days of extreme heat annually and receives a massive 67.4 inches of rain. Snowfall data is unavailable, but historical trends suggest winter precipitation is almost exclusively liquid.

Humidity and rain protection

Residents must prioritize mold prevention and heavy-duty rain gutters to manage 67.4 inches of annual rainfall. High-efficiency cooling is necessary to combat the 84 days of extreme heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Stone County

via SoilByCounty

Very Acidic Soil Profile

Stone County features very acidic soil with a pH of 5.00, falling short of both the state average of 5.30 and the national 6.5 benchmark. This high acidity is the primary factor local gardeners must manage for healthy plant growth.

Sandy Terrain for Easy Workability

The soil is dominated by 61.6% sand, with 26.8% silt and only 10.5% clay. This sandy composition makes the earth easy to work and till, though it lacks the nutrient-holding power found in clay-heavy regions.

Strong Organic Matter, Low Water Storage

The county boasts 2.27% organic matter, exceeding the national average of 2.0% and the state average of 1.81%. However, the available water capacity is low at 0.142 in/in, significantly behind the Mississippi average of 0.174 in/in.

Fast-Draining Coastland Soils

Although official hydrologic groups aren't listed, the 61.6% sand percentage typically ensures rapid drainage across the landscape. This makes the area less prone to pooling but requires careful irrigation to prevent plants from drying out.

Bountiful Zone 9a Growing

Located in zone 9a, this warm climate supports a long growing season for citrus and blueberries. The rich organic matter provides a great foundation for any home orchard, provided growers manage the low 5.00 pH level.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Stone County

via LawnByCounty

Tough Conditions on the Coastal Plain

With a difficulty score of 17.8, Stone County is one of the most challenging places in the country to maintain a pristine lawn. The environment is significantly harsher than the state average of 30.9, largely due to the intense Zone 9a heat and sandy terrain.

Extreme Heat and Record Rainfall

The county endures 84 extreme heat days per year, well above the state average of 73 days. This heat is coupled with a massive 67.4 inches of annual precipitation, creating a tropical environment that demands heat-tolerant grass species and frequent fungal monitoring.

Sandy Ground and Acidic Baselines

The soil profile is 61.6% sand and only 10.5% clay, leading to very rapid drainage that can leave roots thirsty despite high rainfall. A low pH of 5.00 means heavy lime applications are essential to make soil nutrients available to your grass.

Extended Drought Despite Heavy Rains

Despite high total rainfall, the county spent 23 weeks in drought last year, and 100.0% of the area currently remains abnormally dry. Mulching grass clippings back into the lawn is vital here to help retain moisture in the porous, sandy soil.

Target the Long Growing Season

St. Augustine and Bahiagrass are the best performers for the high heat of Zone 9a and the local sandy soil. Your primary growing window opens after March 14 and extends until the first frost on November 18.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stone County's county score?
Stone County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 36.2 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 Stone County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Stone County ranks #73 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 Stone County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Stone County is $1,134, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Stone County a tax score of 60/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Stone County?
The median household income in Stone County, Mississippi is $61,413 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Stone County earns an income score of 38.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Stone County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Stone County scores 36.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #73 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Stone 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 Stone 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.