countyscore

Tishomingo County, Mississippi — County Report Card

MS

#19 in Mississippi
56.8
County Score
Cost of Living 92.3Water Quality 86Property Tax 85.3

County Report Card

About Tishomingo County, Mississippi

Stronger than National Averages

Tishomingo County earns a composite score of 55.3, placing it well above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high level of overall functionality and attractiveness.

A State Leader in Quality

The county's 55.3 score outshines the Mississippi state average of 48.4. Residents here enjoy a better balance of costs and amenities than the average Mississippian.

Top-Ranked Water and Low Costs

A water score of 86.0 and a cost score of 89.2 are the county's major wins. Combined with a tax score of 82.1, it provides an exceptionally high standard for resource quality and affordability.

Wage and Health Bottlenecks

The income score of 8.7 and health score of 16.5 represent the biggest hurdles. A median household income of $46,257 highlights the need for more diverse economic opportunities.

Perfect for Resource-Conscious Living

This county is an ideal destination for those who value clean water and low living costs above all else. It is a particularly strong candidate for retirees looking to maximize their savings.

2040608010085.392.353.316.529.817.562.98667.3Tax85.3Cost92.3Safety53.3Health16.5Schools29.8Income17.5Risk62.9Water86Weather67.356.8/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Tishomingo County DNA

Foverall

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

Tishomingo County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (92.3/100) but notably weak in Income (17.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
85.3+33.3
Cost
92.3+44.3
Safety
53.3
Health
16.5-33.5
Schools
29.8-24.2
Income
17.5-33.5
Risk
62.9+15.899999999999999
Water
86+28
Weather
67.3+11.299999999999997
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Tishomingo County?

Many homeowners in Tishomingo County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$145,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$682/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$145,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,040/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Tishomingo County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tishomingo County

via TaxByCounty

Tishomingo County runs below national median

Tishomingo County's 0.538% effective rate sits well below the national median of 0.88%, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties for tax burden. The $713 median tax is less than one-quarter the national median of $2,690, delivering unusually light property tax obligations.

Significantly below Mississippi average

Tishomingo County's 0.538% rate runs 28% lower than Mississippi's 0.743% state average, and the $713 median tax undershoots the state median of $931 by 23%. The county ranks among Mississippi's most tax-friendly jurisdictions.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

Tishomingo County's rate is beaten only by Smith (0.457%) and Tunica (0.440%), making it the third-lowest among these eight counties. At $713 median tax, Tishomingo homeowners pay less than Smith and Tunica peers despite moderate home values of $132,500.

What $713 means for your budget

On the median home valued at $132,500, Tishomingo County homeowners pay about $713 annually—roughly $59 monthly. Mortgage-related charges bring the total to $885, still well below state and national averages.

Appeal could further reduce bills

Even in a low-tax county, overassessments occur and are worth challenging. Tishomingo homeowners should request a free assessment review if their home has declined in value or if comparable properties sold for less than their current assessed amount.

Income & Jobs in Tishomingo County

via IncomeByCounty

Tishomingo County below national mark

Tishomingo County's median household income of $46,257 trails the national median of $74,755 by $28,498, reflecting rural labor market constraints. This gap is substantial but narrower than the deepest-struggling Mississippi counties, indicating moderate economic health.

Tishomingo near state average

Tishomingo County ranks slightly below the Mississippi state average of $48,514 by $2,257, placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. This reflects regional economic patterns shared by northern Mississippi counties with declining populations.

Tishomingo in middle regional tier

Tishomingo County's $46,257 income sits between Smith County ($51,396) and struggling Sunflower County ($40,265), representing moderate regional standing. Tate County ($63,995) and Stone County ($59,307) substantially outpace Tishomingo, while Tallahatchie ($37,383) falls further behind.

Reasonable housing affordability

Tishomingo County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% remains comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, providing manageable housing costs for most households. The median home value of $132,500 offers solid homeownership opportunities aligned with county income levels.

Strategic savings build security

Tishomingo County residents should prioritize consistent savings through payroll deduction and employer retirement plans to compound modest income growth. Community banks often offer favorable rates on savings accounts and low-cost financial counseling to support long-term wealth building.

Safety in Tishomingo County

via CrimeByCounty

Tishomingo County Outperforms National Benchmarks

Tishomingo County earns a safety score of 98.3, marking it as a secure community. Its total crime rate of 1,056.5 per 100,000 residents is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Aligning with Mississippi Safety Standards

The county's safety score of 98.3 is virtually equal to the Mississippi average of 98.4. Its total crime rate of 1,056.5 is slightly above the state average of 978.4.

Northeastern Mississippi Comparisons

Tishomingo County reports more crime than neighboring Tippah County, which sits at just 96.5 per 100,000. Despite this, Tishomingo remains much safer than many other regions in the state.

Understanding Local Crime Dynamics

Property crime stands at 897.2 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is 159.3. Both figures are significantly lower than the national averages of 2,015.7 and 369.8, respectively.

Home Security in Tishomingo

Property crime makes up 85% of all reported incidents in the county. Two local agencies recommend residents secure their belongings to help keep the safety score above 98.

Weather & Climate in Tishomingo County

via WeatherByCounty

Tishomingo's Mild Appalachian Foothill Climate

Tishomingo County maintains an annual average temperature of 59.0°F, which sits roughly five degrees above the national median. This humid subtropical climate receives significantly more moisture than many U.S. regions, totaling 62.3 inches of rain annually.

Mississippi’s Coolest Northeast Corner

The county is one of the coolest in Mississippi, with its 59.0°F average falling well below the state mean of 63.9°F. Its northern elevation provides a relative break from the intense heat found in the southern coastal counties.

A Wetter Alternative to the Delta

Tishomingo receives 62.3 inches of annual precipitation, making it notably wetter than western neighbors like Tunica. Its 59.0°F average temperature makes it roughly three degrees cooler than Webster County to the south.

Manageable Heat and Crisp Winters

Summer temperatures average 76.5°F, with the county recording 41 extreme heat days above 90°F each year. Winters are the state’s coldest, featuring a December-February average of 40.9°F and a January low of 38.6°F.

Prepare for Rain and Humidity

Residents should invest in high-capacity drainage systems to manage the heavy 62.3 inches of annual rainfall. While extreme heat days are fewer than the state average, HVAC systems must still work hard through 41 days of 90-degree weather.

Soil Quality in Tishomingo County

via SoilByCounty

Strongly Acidic Tishomingo Soils

Tishomingo County has a very acidic pH of 4.93, which is significantly more acidic than the state average of 5.30 and the national median of 6.5. This low pH contributes to the county's overall soil score of 23.0.

Sand-Heavy Soil Structure

The soil is roughly half sand at 49.7%, with 36.4% silt and 14.0% clay. This sand-heavy composition allows for easy root penetration but can lead to rapid nutrient leaching if not managed carefully.

Low Organic Matter and Water

Organic matter is 1.53%, falling below both the state average of 1.81% and the national 2.0% benchmark. The available water capacity of 0.165 in/in is also slightly lower than the Mississippi average of 0.174.

Well-Draining Hillsides

The 49.7% sand content points toward a well-draining landscape that resists pooling. This characteristic is beneficial for avoiding root rot but requires diligent watering during peak summer heat waves.

Hardy Shrubs in Zone 7b

Zone 7b offers a climate suitable for many hardwoods and hardy shrubs. For home gardeners, adding lime is essential to raise the 4.93 pH and unlock soil nutrients for your vegetables.

Lawn Care in Tishomingo County

via LawnByCounty

The State's Cooler Corner

Tishomingo County matches the state difficulty average with a score of 30.1. Located in the northeastern tip in Zone 7b, this area experiences the mildest summers in Mississippi, offering a unique climate for lawn care.

Ample Rain and Mild Summers

The county receives 62.3 inches of rain, well above the state average of 59.5 inches. With only 41 extreme heat days—the lowest in this group—and 4,547 growing degree days, lawns face less thermal stress than anywhere else in the state.

Highly Acidic and Sandy Soil

At a pH of 4.93, Tishomingo has some of the most acidic soil in the region, falling far short of the 6.0-7.0 ideal. The 49.7% sand content ensures fast drainage, but the extreme acidity must be addressed with lime to support healthy root growth.

Monitoring Moisture Levels

The county spent 25 weeks in drought last year, though currently only 62.2% of the area is abnormally dry. Given the high sand content, lawns can dry out quickly despite high annual rainfall, making consistent soil monitoring essential.

Best Window for North Mississippi

Zone 7b allows for a wider range of grasses, including transition-zone species like Tall Fescue in shaded areas. Wait for the final frost on April 9 to start your spring lawn care before the season ends on October 28.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tishomingo County's county score?
Tishomingo County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 56.8 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 Tishomingo County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Tishomingo County ranks #19 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 Tishomingo County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Tishomingo County is $705, with an effective tax rate of 0.49%. This earns Tishomingo County a tax score of 85.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Tishomingo County?
The median household income in Tishomingo County, Mississippi is $53,040 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Tishomingo County earns an income score of 17.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Tishomingo County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Tishomingo County scores 56.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Tishomingo 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 Tishomingo County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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