countyscore
58.9
County Score
Disaster Risk 87.4Cost of Living 87Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Webster County, Mississippi

Webster County exceeds national standards

With a strong composite score of 62.3, Webster County significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0. This high ranking is driven by exceptional affordability and a very low risk profile. It stands out as a high-performing rural county in the American South.

A top-tier Mississippi performer

Webster County's score of 62.3 far exceeds the state average of 48.4. It is one of the more desirable counties in Mississippi, offering a rare combination of safety, low taxes, and affordability. It sets a high bar for neighboring jurisdictions to follow.

Unmatched affordability and resilience

The county dominates with a Cost Score of 90.0 and a Risk Score of 87.4, indicating cheap housing and high disaster resilience. Residents benefit from a low effective tax rate of 0.574%, leading to a Tax Score of 77.4. Median rent is impressively low at just $618 per month.

Healthcare remains the main hurdle

Despite high marks elsewhere, the Health Score of 16.9 shows significant room for improvement in medical access. While the Income Score of 38.9 is high for the state, local earners still face a ceiling compared to urban hubs. The School Score of 40.7 is solid but trails the county's other elite metrics.

The gold standard for rural living

Webster County is an ideal choice for families and retirees looking for the best possible value in Mississippi. Its combination of safety, low taxes, and disaster resilience makes it a secure long-term investment. It is the premier option for those who want a high quality of life without the high price tag.

20406080100628771.816.940.730.287.48655.6Tax62Cost87Safety71.8Health16.9Schools40.7Income30.2Risk87.4Water86Weather55.658.9/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Webster County DNA

Foverall

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

Webster County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (87.4/100) but notably weak in Health (16.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62+10
Cost
87+39
Safety
71.8+16.799999999999997
Health
16.9-33.1
Schools
40.7-13.299999999999997
Income
30.2-20.8
Risk
87.4+40.400000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
55.6
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$120,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$632/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$120,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,789/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.1

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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Caswell County
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Ottawa County
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Nearby counties

Choctaw County
Mississippi
63.1
Chickasaw County
Mississippi
56.8
Calhoun County
Mississippi
55.9
Oktibbeha County
Mississippi
34.1
Montgomery County
Mississippi
55
Clay County
Mississippi
39.4
Grenada County
Mississippi
35.6
Winston County
Mississippi
47.6

Deep Dives

Webster County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Webster County

via CrimeByCounty

Webster County Is One of the Safest Nationwide

Webster County boasts a remarkably low total crime rate of 673.9 per 100,000 residents, far below the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an exceptional safety score of 98.9.

Exceeding Mississippi's Average Safety Score

With a safety score of 98.9, Webster County is safer than the average Mississippi county score of 98.4. Its total crime rate is also well below the state average of 978.4.

A Safety Leader Among Its Neighbors

Webster County's crime rate of 673.9 is less than half that of neighboring Union County at 1,398.8. Two reporting agencies contribute to this high standing in the regional safety rankings.

Low Rates in Both Crime Categories

Violent crime in Webster County is just 120.7 per 100,000, roughly one-third of the national average. Property crime is equally low at 553.2, compared to the national rate of 2,015.7.

Maintaining a Secure Rural Community

While crime is low, maintaining security habits like locking doors and garages prevents opportunistic crimes. Your active participation helps Webster County remain a leader in Mississippi safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Webster County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate but Humid in Webster

Webster County averages 62.0°F annually, staying about eight degrees warmer than the national median. This humid subtropical climate is balanced by 58.7 inches of annual precipitation.

A Cooler Slice of Mississippi

At 62.0°F, Webster County is slightly cooler than the Mississippi state average of 63.9°F. Its rainfall of 58.7 inches also sits just below the state average of 59.6 inches.

Moderate Temperatures for the Region

Webster is significantly cooler than southern neighbors like Wayne, which averages over 65°F. It also receives nearly 10 fewer extreme heat days than Tunica to the northwest.

Warm Summers and Chilly Winters

The county experiences 64 extreme heat days annually, with July temperatures peaking at an average of 79.9°F. Winters are more pronounced than in the south, with a 44.4°F average and 1.0 inch of snowfall.

A Balanced Approach to Climate

Residents should prepare for both summer heat and occasional winter frost, given the one-inch average snowfall. With 58.7 inches of rain, keeping gutters clear is essential to protecting home foundations.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Webster County

via SoilByCounty

Alfisols and Acidic Clay Loams

Webster County features Alfisols, which are typically fertile but acidic, with a local pH average of 5.25. This is slightly below the state average of 5.30, indicating a need for lime to boost productivity for many garden plants.

Silty Clay Loam Texture

The soil is composed of 57.1% silt and 14.3% clay, officially categorized as a silty clay loam. This mixture provides a smooth texture that is highly effective at holding onto nutrients and maintaining soil structure.

Superior Moisture Holding Capacity

At 0.196 in/in, the available water capacity is significantly higher than the Mississippi average of 0.174. While organic matter is 1.61%, the high silt content ensures that every drop of rain is stored efficiently for plant use.

Somewhat Poorly Drained Profile

Belonging to Hydrologic Group D, these soils are 'somewhat poorly drained' and tend to stay wet for long periods. This can delay planting in the spring and requires careful planning for building foundations to manage water pressure.

Ideal for Moisture-Loving Plants

In zone 8a, Webster County is well-suited for moisture-loving crops like rice or certain varieties of hay. For the home gardener, raised beds are a smart choice to manage the slow drainage while taking advantage of the high water capacity.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Webster County

via LawnByCounty

Webster's Zone 8a Lawn Challenges

Webster County earns a difficulty score of 28.6, slightly under the Mississippi state average of 30.9. This Zone 8a region faces a mix of poor soil drainage and significant annual drought. Homeowners must be strategic about water management to maintain healthy turf.

Managing 58.7 Inches of Annual Rain

Annual precipitation of 58.7 inches exceeds the national ideal, potentially leading to waterlogged soil. However, the county only sees 64 extreme heat days, which is lower than the state average of 73. This cooler profile provides a slight edge for lawn health compared to southern counties.

Overcoming Poorly Drained Silty Clay

The soil is classified as 'Somewhat poorly drained' with a silty clay loam texture and 14.3% clay. A pH of 5.25 indicates high acidity that needs to be corrected with lime to reach the 6.0 goal. Core aeration is highly recommended to improve oxygen flow in these dense soils.

Recovery From a High-Drought Year

Last year, the county suffered through 24 weeks of drought, causing significant stress to local lawns. Currently, only 11.7% of the area is abnormally dry, offering a much-needed period of recovery. Keep an eye on the forecast to ensure consistent moisture during the growing season.

Timing Your Spring Start

The last frost arrives around March 30, meaning you should wait until April to start seeding. Bermuda and Zoysia are robust choices that can handle the local soil types and moisture swings. Frost returns around November 4, providing a solid seven-month growing window.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Webster County's county score?
Webster County, Mississippi has a composite county score of 58.9 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 Webster County rank among counties in Mississippi?
Webster County ranks #10 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 Webster County, Mississippi?
The median annual property tax in Webster County is $821, with an effective tax rate of 0.68%. This earns Webster County a tax score of 62/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Webster County?
The median household income in Webster County, Mississippi is $58,789 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Webster County earns an income score of 30.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Webster County, Mississippi a good place to live?
Webster County scores 58.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #10 in Mississippi. The best way to evaluate Webster 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 Webster 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.