CountyScore

Wilkinson County

Mississippi · MS

#40 in Mississippi
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Wilkinson County, Mississippi

Solid National Performance on Affordability

Wilkinson County scores 67.9 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0 and placing it in approximately the 36th percentile nationally. This score reflects genuine livability strengths, primarily anchored in housing and cost advantages.

Slightly Above Mississippi State Average

Wilkinson County scores 67.9, marginally exceeding the state average of 67.5 by 0.4 points and ranking solidly in Mississippi's middle tier. The narrow margin reflects a balanced but unremarkable profile compared to state peers.

Exceptional Housing Affordability

Wilkinson County achieves the second-highest cost score of 88.9, with the lowest median home value in this cohort at $80,200 and lowest median rent at $674/month. These figures represent extraordinary housing affordability for families on limited incomes.

Severe Income Deficit and Health Weakness

Wilkinson County's income score of 6.9 is the absolute lowest in this group, with median household income of only $35,930. Health outcomes (50.6) and the highest effective tax rate (0.862%) further compound economic challenges in what is one of Mississippi's poorest counties.

Extreme Affordability Masks Deep Poverty

Wilkinson County suits only those with truly minimal income requirements or substantial fixed income sources unaffected by local economic conditions. The county's exceptional housing affordability masks severe wage poverty and limited healthcare access that will frustrate most working families.

Score breakdown

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

Tax78Cost88.9SafetyComing SoonHealth50.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome6.9Risk66.6WaterComing Soon
🏛78
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤50.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡66.6
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 Wilkinson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Taylor County
Florida
67.9
Median income: $44,985
Lumpkin County
Georgia
67.9
Median income: $72,388
Bonneville County
Idaho
67.9
Median income: $76,646
Bell County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $32,403
Franklin County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $66,470

Deep Dives

Wilkinson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Wilkinson County

via TaxByCounty

Wilkinson County taxes still below US median

Wilkinson County's effective tax rate of 0.862% exceeds the national median of 0.92% only slightly and remains highly competitive nationally. The median annual tax of $691 is just 26% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting the county's modestly valued housing stock.

Highest tax rate among surveyed counties

Wilkinson County's 0.862% effective rate is the highest among the eight surveyed counties and exceeds Mississippi's state average of 0.743% by 16%. It ranks in the upper quartile statewide, second only to Warren County (0.855%) in this group.

Top regional tax rate despite modest bill

Wilkinson County's 0.862% rate is the highest in the south-central region, surpassing Warren (0.855%), Washington (0.843%), Walthall (0.784%), Wayne (0.779%), Winston (0.648%), Union (0.576%), and Webster (0.574%). However, the median annual tax of $691 remains low due to low home values.

Highest rate yields modest $691 annual tax

Despite the region's highest effective rate, Wilkinson County's median home value of $80,200 produces only $691 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that rises to $971; without, it falls to $539, remaining affordable even at the area's highest rate.

Assessment accuracy matters more here

Wilkinson County's higher effective rate means even modest overassessments carry proportionally greater impact than in lower-tax neighbors. Obtain your assessment record, compare it thoroughly to recent comparable sales, and appeal if you believe your home has been overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wilkinson County

via CostByCounty

Wilkinson County stretches low incomes thin

Wilkinson County renters spend 22.5% of income on rent, well above the national affordability standard of 12%. With median household income at just $35,930—the lowest in this group—housing costs consume a disproportionate share of household earnings.

Among Mississippi's least affordable

Wilkinson County's 22.5% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the Mississippi state average of 19.6%, ranking it among the state's most burdened counties. At median rent of $674 against median income of $35,930, housing takes a heavy toll on household budgets.

Struggling worse than most peers

Wilkinson County's 22.5% burden exceeds Union (19.2%), Warren (18.8%), and Winston (16.0%), though it edges slightly better than Wayne (25.6%) and Washington (23.5%). Among low-income Mississippi counties, Wilkinson faces above-average housing pressure.

Homeownership nearly matches rental costs

Wilkinson County homeowners pay $498 monthly versus renters at $674—a $176 advantage for ownership. With median household income at $35,930 and median home value at $80,200, homeownership emerges as the more affordable path for those able to save for purchase.

Wilkinson residents: explore higher-income counties

Wilkinson County renters facing a 22.5% housing burden should compare nearby Webster County (12.4%) or Winston County (16.0%), where the same income supports more comfortable living. A relocation within Mississippi could free up $100+ monthly in rent savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wilkinson County

via IncomeByCounty

Wilkinson County ranks among poorest nationally

Wilkinson County's median household income of $35,930 sits in the bottom 5% of U.S. counties, falling 52% below the national median of $74,755. Compared to Mississippi's state average of $48,514, Wilkinson trails by 26%, signaling acute economic hardship.

Lowest-income county in this group

Wilkinson County ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's 82 counties, with minimal competition for the state's lowest incomes. This position reflects severe employment limitations, population loss, and structural economic challenges across southwest Mississippi.

Poorest performer among peer counties

Wilkinson County's $35,930 income is the lowest among these eight counties, $1,000 below Wayne County and more than $24,000 below Webster County ($59,964). This gap underscores concentrated poverty in southwest Mississippi.

Housing costs strain thin budgets

Wilkinson County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% consumes more than one-fifth of earnings for housing, leaving limited funds for healthcare, food, and transportation. The median home value of $80,200 is the lowest in the group but still demanding on the lowest incomes.

Build resilience through free resources

On the lowest income in this group, focus on basic financial stability: eliminate high-interest debt, access free community financial counseling, and build even a small emergency fund. Many nonprofits offer matched savings programs that amplify your contributions—seek these out.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wilkinson County

via HealthByCounty

Wilkinson County shows highest health burden

Wilkinson County's life expectancy of 68.6 years trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 7.8 years. At 29.4%, its poor/fair health rate is the highest among all peer counties and far exceeds the national average of 18%, reflecting the most severe population health challenges.

Among Mississippi's least healthy counties

Wilkinson County's life expectancy of 68.6 years ranks among the lowest statewide—2.3 years below Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 29.4% is the worst in the peer group and ranks among the state's highest.

Lowest life expectancy with sparse providers

Wilkinson County's 68.6-year life expectancy is the lowest among all neighboring counties except Washington County (66.9 years). With 36 primary care and 37 mental health providers per 100K, Wilkinson offers limited capacity compared to Warren County's robust provider network.

Low uninsured rate masks access challenges

Despite a relatively low uninsured rate of 12.8%—below the state average of 13.9%—Wilkinson County residents face sparse provider networks and poor health outcomes. The disconnect suggests that coverage alone isn't enough without also addressing provider supply and health infrastructure.

Coverage is necessary, not sufficient

Wilkinson County residents need both insurance and access to local providers to improve health outcomes. If uninsured, visit healthcare.gov today; if insured, work with your provider to address chronic conditions and preventive care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wilkinson County

via RiskByCounty

Wilkinson County poses low risk

Wilkinson County's composite risk score of 33.46 earns a very low rating, placing it well below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. This favorable profile means residents enjoy below-average exposure to major natural disasters overall.

Well below state average risk

Wilkinson County ranks among Mississippi's safer counties, with its 33.46 score positioning it in the lower-risk tier statewide. This puts the county among the state's better protected areas for natural disaster exposure.

Safest in its immediate area

Wilkinson County's risk profile is substantially lower than nearby Walthall County (25.54)—actually the state's safest—but significantly outpaces Wayne County (55.66) to the east. This makes Wilkinson a relatively safe zone within its region.

Hurricanes and tornadoes pose most concern

Wilkinson County residents face elevated hurricane risk (80.89) as the primary concern, followed by moderate tornado exposure (49.01) and manageable flood risk (33.84). Earthquake (28.31) and wildfire (37.50) threats remain secondary.

Hurricane coverage and standard policies

Wilkinson County homeowners should prioritize hurricane and wind damage coverage given the 80.89 hurricane risk score, considering a windstorm policy if standard coverage limits apply. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers tornado damage, but verify this protection with your agent given the 49.01 tornado risk.

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.