Tunica County

Mississippi · MS

#47 in Mississippi
67
County Score

County Report Card

About Tunica County, Mississippi

Tunica County meets national baseline

Tunica County's composite score of 67.0 sits 34% above the national median of 50.0, indicating livability consistent with typical American counties. However, the score masks divergent strengths (tax burden) and weaknesses (income, health) that reflect its unique economic profile.

Right alongside Mississippi average

Tunica County scores 67.0, just 0.5 points below Mississippi's state average of 67.5. It represents the median Mississippi experience, offering no distinctive advantage or disadvantage relative to the state as a whole.

Lowest tax burden in the group

Tunica County boasts the nation's lowest effective tax rate among these counties at 0.440%, yielding a tax score of 89.9. This exceptional tax efficiency is the county's standout feature and a genuine competitive advantage.

Income and health lag significantly

The income score of 8.5 reflects a median household income of $38,402, the second-lowest among these eight counties, while the health score of 45.9 is the weakest overall. High monthly rents ($938) further strain household economics despite low home values.

Best for tax-minimizing remote earners

Tunica County suits individuals earning income outside the county (remote work, retirement, investments) and prioritizing tax efficiency above all else. Its combination of ultra-low taxes and weak local income opportunities makes it unsuitable for those dependent on local employment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.9Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth45.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome8.5Risk63.8WaterComing Soon
🏛89.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼8.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
45.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
63.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Tunica County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Tunica County

via TaxByCounty

Tunica County's rates are exceptionally low

Tunica County's 0.440% effective rate ranks among the lowest in the nation, placing it in the bottom 15% of all U.S. counties for property tax burden. The $679 median tax is just 25% of the national median of $2,690, even though homes are valued 45% below the U.S. median.

Lowest rate among Mississippi counties

Tunica County's 0.440% rate is Mississippi's lowest among counties reported here, running 41% below the state average of 0.743%. The $679 median tax is 27% below Mississippi's state median of $931.

Hands down the lowest in the region

Tunica County's 0.440% rate is the lowest among all eight counties, beating Smith County (0.457%) and Tallahatchie (0.602%) by a wide margin. This exceptional tax advantage combines ultra-low rates with moderate home values for unmatched affordability.

What $679 costs Tunica homeowners

On the median home valued at $154,500, Tunica County homeowners pay roughly $679 annually—about $57 monthly. Interestingly, with a mortgage the figure rises to $1,116 due to mortgage company impound accounts, though taxes themselves remain low.

Even low rates warrant review

Despite Tunica County's rock-bottom effective rate, homeowners should still verify their assessment matches current market value. A successful appeal in Tunica's low-rate environment may yield smaller dollar savings but still improves your financial picture.

Cost of Living in Tunica County

via CostByCounty

Tunica County housing costs reach critical affordability levels

At 29.3%, Tunica County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's least affordable housing markets—severely straining lower-income families. The $38,402 median household income pairs with $938 monthly rent to create genuine hardship, consuming nearly a third of gross earnings for housing alone.

Mississippi's most severe affordability crisis

Tunica County's 29.3% rent-to-income ratio drastically exceeds Mississippi's 19.6% state average, marking it as the state's most unaffordable county in this profile. At $938 per month, median rent towers above the state average of $782, creating exceptional strain on the county's lowest earners.

Highest rents, lowest incomes: perfect affordability storm

Tunica County's $938 rent is the region's highest, yet paired with the second-lowest median household income of $38,402, creating acute affordability stress. The gap between Tunica and Smith County is striking: identical $664 rents in Smith versus $938 here, with $13,000 less annual income.

Housing crisis consumes nearly one-third of income

Tunica County renters spend 29.3% of their $38,402 median income on housing—a devastating $938 monthly—leaving just $2,289 for all other expenses. Even homeowners struggle with $682 monthly costs consuming 21.3% of household income, well above healthy affordability benchmarks.

Relocation here demands serious income guarantee

Tunica County's affordability crisis is severe and unambiguous: $938 monthly rents on a $38,000 median income creates genuine hardship. Do not relocate here unless your income significantly exceeds the county median—consider instead any of the neighboring counties in this profile, which offer dramatically better affordability ratios for equivalent housing.

Income & Jobs in Tunica County

via IncomeByCounty

Tunica County's income challenge

Tunica County's median household income of $38,402 falls $36,353 below the national median of $74,755, indicating severe economic stress despite casino gambling employment. This reflects income inequality and part-time workforce patterns in gaming-dependent economies.

Tunica among Mississippi's lowest

Tunica County ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's counties, with median household income trailing the state average of $48,514 by $10,112. Only a handful of the state's most distressed counties perform worse, revealing Tunica's economic vulnerability.

Tunica struggles despite casino economy

Tunica County's $38,402 income sits between Tallahatchie County ($37,383) and Sunflower County ($40,265) in the regional bottom tier. Despite major casino operations and tourism employment, median household income remains depressed, suggesting low-wage service work dominates the local labor market.

Housing burden impacts households

Tunica County's rent-to-income ratio of 29.3% approaches the 30% affordability ceiling, creating substantial housing stress for renters and limiting savings capacity. The median home value of $154,500 significantly exceeds what typical county households can afford, constraining homeownership opportunity.

Seek assistance and build resilience

Tunica County residents should explore government assistance programs including rental support, utility assistance, and free financial counseling to stabilize budgets. Even small emergency savings through credit unions or employer-sponsored programs create crucial buffers against economic shocks.

Health in Tunica County

via HealthByCounty

Tunica County faces critical health emergency

At 66.6 years, Tunica County's life expectancy ranks second-lowest in the nation compared to the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a devastating 9.8-year gap requiring urgent intervention. An alarming 33.5% of residents report poor or fair health, more than double the national average of about 15%, indicating a public health crisis.

Tunica County ranks among Mississippi's worst

Tunica County's 66.6-year life expectancy ranks among Mississippi's lowest, falling 4.3 years below the state average of 70.9 years, and its 33.5% poor or fair health rate is the worst statewide. These metrics signal severe, systemic health challenges requiring coordinated intervention across healthcare, public health, and social services.

Worst outcomes despite modest provider presence

Tunica County's 66.6-year life expectancy ranks lowest alongside Sunflower County (67.2 years), yet it has slightly fewer primary care providers (10 per 100,000 vs. 35) and fewer mental health providers (33 vs. 37). This disparity suggests barriers beyond provider supply—likely poverty, transportation, and health literacy—preventing care access.

Lowest uninsured rate masks deeper health crisis

Tunica County's 12.1% uninsured rate is the lowest in this group, yet health outcomes remain catastrophically poor, indicating that insurance alone doesn't solve the fundamental health disparities. With only 10 primary care and 33 mental health providers per 100,000, the county's healthcare infrastructure struggles to address the 33.5% of residents in poor or fair health.

Verify coverage, then advocate for care access

Even with Tunica County's relatively low 12.1% uninsured rate, residents should verify coverage and navigate to available providers—and local health leaders should prioritize expanding primary care capacity to address the county's historic health disparities. Visit Healthcare.gov to confirm your coverage, then contact the county health department about care options.

Disaster Risk in Tunica County

via RiskByCounty

Tunica County among nation's lowest-risk areas

Tunica County's composite risk score of 36.26 earns a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal flood and wildfire exposure, though earthquake risk (88.96) remains elevated locally.

Tunica County second-safest in Mississippi

At 36.26, Tunica County ranks second-lowest in Mississippi, surpassed only by Tishomingo County (37.09), both sitting far below the state average of 50.94. This superior positioning reflects the county's favorable geography and limited wind-driven hazard exposure.

Tunica County offers regional protection advantage

Tunica County's 36.26 score ranks it safest in its immediate vicinity, ahead of Tishomingo County (37.09) and substantially below riskier Tate County (41.22). The county's minimal wildfire risk (7.47) stands out dramatically compared to all neighbors.

Earthquake exposure outpaces other local threats

Tunica County residents face exceptional earthquake risk (88.96) despite the county's overall safety profile, making seismic events the primary hazard. Tornado risk (59.48) and hurricane exposure (48.19) remain moderate, while flood (23.89) and wildfire (7.47) risks are minimal.

Earthquake insurance is essential here

With earthquake risk at 88.96, Tunica County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance as a critical protection, despite the county's otherwise low overall risk profile. Standard homeowner policies covering wind and tornado typically suffice for other hazards.

ByCounty Network

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