CountyScore

Walthall County

Mississippi · MS

#31 in Mississippi
69.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Walthall County, Mississippi

Above National Average, Solid Mississippi Performer

Walthall County scores 69.2 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in approximately the 38th percentile nationally. The county demonstrates livability strength relative to most U.S. counties, particularly in affordability and risk management.

Second-Ranked County in Mississippi

Walthall County ranks second statewide with a score of 69.2, just 1.5 points behind Union County and 1.7 points above the state average. This consistent performance makes it one of Mississippi's most livable jurisdictions.

Affordability and Safety Stand Out

Walthall County achieves the state's highest cost score of 86.4, with a median home value of just $120,600 and median rent of $718/month—lowest among these eight counties. The risk score of 74.5 is exceptional, suggesting strong environmental and disaster resilience relative to peers.

Income Levels Significantly Lag Behind

The income score of 13.1 is the lowest among this group, with median household income at $45,444. Health outcomes (52.2) and tax efficiency (80.2) also trail the county's affordability strengths, indicating economic hardship and limited healthcare access.

Ideal for Retirees and Remote Workers

Walthall County is perfect for people with fixed or portable incomes seeking rock-bottom living costs and strong environmental stability. Budget-conscious retirees and remote workers earning elsewhere will find exceptional value here; traditional job seekers should look to neighboring areas.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.2Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth52.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.1Risk74.5WaterComing Soon
🏛80.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡74.5
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 Walthall County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
69.2
Median income: $60,000
Teller County
Colorado
69.2
Median income: $80,666
Haralson County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $65,016
White County
Georgia
69.2
Median income: $69,747
Stark County
Illinois
69.2
Median income: $62,284

Deep Dives

Walthall County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Walthall County

via TaxByCounty

Walthall's taxes well below US median rate

Walthall County's effective tax rate of 0.784% is less than one-third the national median of 0.92%, keeping local tax burdens light compared to most American counties. The median property tax of $946 falls far short of the national median of $2,690.

Middle of the pack for Mississippi taxes

Walthall County's 0.784% effective rate sits slightly above Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, placing it near the middle among the state's 82 counties. It's marginally higher than Union and Webster counties but lower than Warren and Wilkinson.

Higher taxes than Union, lower than Warren

Walthall County's 0.784% rate exceeds nearby Union County (0.576%) and Webster County (0.574%) but falls below Warren County (0.855%) and Wilkinson County (0.862%). The regional spread demonstrates significant tax-planning opportunities within south-central Mississippi.

Median Walthall home carries $946 annual tax

A median-valued Walthall County home of $120,600 generates $946 in annual property taxes at the current rate. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,275 annually, while those without pay $690.

Appeal assessments to reduce your bill

Property assessments in rural counties can lag behind real market values, potentially leaving homeowners overpaying. Review your assessment notice, compare your home's assessed value to recent comparable sales, and file a formal appeal if yours appears too high.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Walthall County

via CostByCounty

Walthall offers tight housing affordability

Walthall County renters spend just 19.0% of income on rent, matching the national affordability sweet spot. However, the median household income of $45,444 is 39% below the national average, meaning affordability is relative to lower local earnings.

Best rental values in Mississippi

Walthall County boasts a 19.0% rent-to-income ratio that beats the Mississippi state average of 19.6%. At $718 monthly rent against the state median of $782, Walthall delivers genuine housing bargains for the state.

Cheapest rents in the region

Walthall's $718 median rent undercuts all nearby counties, including Union ($910), Warren ($889), and Winston ($654)—placing it among the region's lowest. Yet median home values ($120,600) suggest modest but stable property investment opportunities.

Ownership cheaper than renting

Walthall homeowners pay $606 monthly against renters' $718—a rare reversal favoring purchase over rent. With median household income at $45,444, housing costs take up about 19% of household budgets regardless of tenure.

Walthall: Mississippi's affordability leader

Low-income households seeking maximum housing value should compare Walthall's 19.0% rent burden against peer counties. This county delivers the state's best rent-to-income ratio, making it a genuine refuge for budget-conscious renters and buyers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Walthall County

via IncomeByCounty

Walthall income lags national benchmark

Walthall County's median household income of $45,444 falls 39% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lowest-income counties in America. At the same time, it sits 6% below Mississippi's state average, indicating economic strain relative to even rural national peers.

Lower-middle tier within Mississippi

Walthall County ranks around the 30th percentile among Mississippi's 82 counties, with roughly 60 counties earning more than its $45,444 median. This position reflects limited economic diversification and historically lower wage structures.

Mixed performance in south-central region

Walthall County earns $45,444, trailing Union County ($56,807) and Warren County ($56,648) but exceeding Washington County ($40,117) and Wayne County ($36,791). The $20,000 spread across neighboring counties underscores pockets of relative prosperity and hardship.

Housing costs reasonable despite tight income

Walthall's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% keeps housing affordable by national standards, even as the lower overall income leaves less room for other expenses. The median home value of $120,600 is accessible but requires careful household budgeting.

Strategic saving builds lasting security

With modest income, every dollar counts—prioritize building a small emergency fund first, then explore low-cost investment options like automatic payroll deductions to retirement accounts. Even small, consistent contributions compound significantly over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Walthall County

via HealthByCounty

Walthall County faces a 6-year health gap

Life expectancy in Walthall County stands at 70.2 years—nearly 6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years. The poor/fair health rate of 25.1% ranks well above the national average of 18%, signaling chronic health challenges across the population.

Below-average health outcomes statewide

Walthall County's life expectancy of 70.2 years trails Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by 0.7 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 25.1% exceeds the state's typical outcomes, placing it among Mississippi's counties with greater health burdens.

Mental health access is critically limited

Walthall County's 51 primary care providers per 100K exceed Union County's 36, but its mental health provider rate of only 7 per 100K is the lowest among nearby counties. Warren County, by contrast, offers 622 mental health providers per 100K, highlighting a stark regional disparity.

High uninsured rates complicate health access

At 16.5%, Walthall County's uninsured rate ranks among the highest in the region—nearly 3 points above the state average of 13.9%. This coverage gap, combined with limited mental health providers, creates barriers to preventive and specialized care for many residents.

Uninsured? Coverage is within reach

Walthall County residents without insurance can explore Medicaid enrollment or Marketplace plans to reduce costs and access care. Visit healthcare.gov or call the Mississippi Health Advocates at 601-355-4808 to find affordable options.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Walthall County

via RiskByCounty

Walthall County is among safest

Walthall County's composite risk score of 25.54 earns a very low rating, placing it well below the Mississippi state average of 50.94. This makes Walthall one of the safest counties in the state for natural disaster risk overall.

Top 10 safest county in Mississippi

Walthall County ranks among Mississippi's safest counties for natural disaster exposure, with its 25.54 score significantly below the state median. This favorable position reflects lower exposure to most major hazards affecting the region.

Safest in its immediate region

Walthall County's risk profile is substantially lower than nearby Wilkinson County (33.46) and significantly outpaces southern neighbors like Wayne County (55.66). This makes Walthall a relative safe zone within its geographic area.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose concern

Despite its overall low risk profile, Walthall County faces notable hurricane exposure (79.56) and elevated wildfire risk (66.67), likely due to its southern location and woodland coverage. Tornado risk (36.10) and earthquake threats (34.45) remain manageable by comparison.

Focus on hurricane preparedness

Walthall County residents should prioritize hurricane coverage and ensure standard homeowners policies account for wind damage from tropical systems. Consider a separate windstorm policy if standard coverage is limited, particularly given the county's 79.56 hurricane risk score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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