CountyScore

Webster County

Mississippi · MS

#3 in Mississippi
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Webster County, Mississippi

Among Mississippi's Best on National Scale

Webster County scores 74.2 on the composite index, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in approximately the 48th percentile nationally. This performance ranks it among the highest-livability counties in Mississippi and reflects genuine competitive advantages.

Third-Best County in Mississippi Overall

Webster County ranks third statewide with a score of 74.2, behind Union (70.7) and Walthall (69.2), and exceeding the state average of 67.5 by 6.7 points. This consistent top-tier performance reflects the county's strength across multiple livability dimensions.

Exceptional Performance Across Every Dimension

Webster County excels across the board: tax score of 86.1 (effective rate: 0.574%), cost score of 88.5 with median home value of $109,500, and the highest income score (22.5) in this group at median household income of $59,964. The risk score of 87.4 is exceptional, indicating strong environmental and disaster resilience.

Health Outcomes Could Be Stronger

Health score of 56.0, while not poor, is the only dimension where Webster County underperforms relative to its other strengths. This represents the most significant opportunity for improvement as the county continues to enhance livability.

Best-Balanced Choice for Most Families

Webster County is ideal for families earning around $60,000 seeking strong tax efficiency, affordable housing, and genuine economic stability. This is Mississippi's most well-rounded county choice, balancing low costs, reasonable incomes, and exceptional environmental safety.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.1Cost88.5SafetyComing SoonHealth56SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.5Risk87.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.4
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 Webster County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Alabama
74.2
Median income: $50,733
Gem County
Idaho
74.2
Median income: $66,245
Fulton County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,878
Pike County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $66,250
Starke County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $62,933

Deep Dives

Webster County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Webster County

via TaxByCounty

Webster County among lowest-tax US regions

Webster County's effective tax rate of 0.574% ranks in the bottom tier nationally, sitting well below the US median of 0.92%. The median annual property tax of $629 represents just 23% of the national median of $2,690.

Second-lowest rates in all of Mississippi

Webster County's 0.574% effective rate is the second-lowest among the eight surveyed counties and well below Mississippi's state average of 0.743%. Only Union County (0.576%) is marginally lower, making Webster one of Mississippi's most tax-friendly destinations.

Tied for lowest taxes in the region

Webster County's 0.574% rate essentially ties Union County (0.576%) as the region's lowest, dramatically undercutting Wayne (0.779%), Walthall (0.784%), Winston (0.648%), and all higher-taxing neighbors. Homeowners here enjoy the deepest regional tax advantage.

Median home taxes only $629 per year

A median Webster County home valued at $109,500 incurs just $629 in annual property taxes—the lowest median tax among the eight counties. With a mortgage, that becomes $719; without, a mere $524.

Appeal to preserve your lowest-in-region advantage

Webster County's exceptional tax rates make assessment accuracy paramount; even small overvaluations represent meaningful percentages of the already-low tax bill. Request your assessment, verify it against recent comparable sales, and appeal if your home's assessed value exceeds its market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Webster County

via CostByCounty

Webster County is a housing value leader

Webster County renters spend just 12.4% of income on rent—well below the national affordability standard and among America's best housing markets. The median household income of $59,964 comfortably supports median rent of $618, creating genuine breathing room in household budgets.

Strongest affordability in Mississippi

Webster County's 12.4% rent-to-income ratio crushes the Mississippi state average of 19.6%, making it the state's most affordable county by far. This 7.2-percentage-point advantage translates to hundreds in monthly savings for renters.

Clear regional affordability winner

Webster County's 12.4% burden dramatically undercuts every peer county—Winston (16.0%), Union (19.2%), Warren (18.8%), and far beyond Wayne (25.6%). At $618 median rent, Webster offers the cheapest housing in the eight-county region.

Balanced ownership and rental costs

Homeowners in Webster pay $590 monthly versus renters at $618—nearly identical, with median home values at $109,500. With median household income at $59,964, housing costs take up just 12.4% of budgets, leaving maximum flexibility for other needs.

Webster: Mississippi's affordability haven

If housing cost is your primary relocation factor, Webster County is unmatched in Mississippi—residents here spend roughly half what Wayne or Washington County residents pay relative to income. Compare Webster's 12.4% burden against any peer county and the advantage becomes unmistakable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Webster County

via IncomeByCounty

Webster County outearns state significantly

Webster County's median household income of $59,964 exceeds Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by 24%, marking one of the county's strongest economic advantages. However, it still trails the national median of $74,755 by 20%, reflecting Mississippi's broader income challenges.

Top tier performer statewide

Webster County ranks in the top 20% of Mississippi's 82 counties by median household income, outearning approximately 65 counties across the state. This standing reflects a more diversified local economy and relatively stable employment base.

Clear regional economic leader

Webster County's $59,964 median income leads all seven peer counties in this group, exceeding the next-closest (Union and Warren at $56,648) by roughly $3,000. Its strong per capita income of $28,447 further underscores broader-based prosperity.

Best affordability in the group

Webster County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.4% is the lowest among these eight counties, providing substantial breathing room in household budgets. The median home value of $109,500 is highly accessible relative to local income, enabling confident homeownership and savings.

Capitalize on strong income position

Webster County's above-state-average income and exceptional housing affordability create ideal conditions for aggressive wealth-building through retirement savings, homeownership, and diversified investments. Maximize employer benefits, then direct freed-up cash flow toward long-term wealth multiplication.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Webster County

via HealthByCounty

Webster County lags national health benchmarks

Webster County's life expectancy of 69.0 years falls 7.4 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 22.0%, while below some peers, still exceeds the national average of 18%, pointing to persistent population health challenges.

Below average, but improving from state baseline

Webster County's life expectancy of 69.0 years lags Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by 1.9 years. Its uninsured rate of 14.3% edges slightly above the state average of 13.9%, adding to access barriers.

Moderate provider supply in regional context

Webster County provides 40 primary care providers per 100K, similar to Washington County and Union County but below Warren County's 67. Mental health support at 110 per 100K exceeds most peers except Warren County, offering moderate access to behavioral care.

Manageable uninsured rate with stable access

Webster County's uninsured rate of 14.3% is slightly above state average but lower than Walthall or Wayne counties, suggesting most residents have some coverage. With 40 primary care and 110 mental health providers per 100K, access is workable though not abundant.

Strengthen coverage for preventive care

Webster County residents without insurance should explore Medicaid enrollment or Marketplace plans to ensure stable access to primary care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 601-355-4808 for personalized enrollment assistance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Webster County

via RiskByCounty

Webster County is safest in state

Webster County's composite risk score of 12.60 earns a very low rating, making it one of the safest counties in Mississippi and far below the state average of 50.94. This exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Lowest-risk county in Mississippi

Webster County ranks as the safest county in Mississippi for natural disaster exposure, with its 12.60 score significantly below all peers. This makes Webster one of the state's most secure locations for hazard-conscious residents.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Webster County's risk profile is substantially lower than all nearby counties, including Winston County (39.89) and Union County (43.51) to the south. This remarkable safety advantage makes Webster a regional standout for hazard protection.

Tornado and earthquake risks exceed other threats

Even in Mississippi's safest county, tornado (48.38) and earthquake (63.42) risks slightly exceed the county's overall averages, though both remain manageable. Wildfire (23.73) and flood (13.42) risks are minimal, reflecting the county's geographic advantages.

Standard coverage provides solid protection

Webster County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance with confidence, though verifying tornado and hail coverage remains prudent given the 48.38 tornado score. Flood insurance is optional here due to the minimal 13.42 flood risk, but earthquake coverage consideration depends on individual property values.

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.