Winston County scores 70.0 on the composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0 and placing it near the 40th percentile nationally. This performance reflects a county with genuine livability advantages and balanced strengths.
2 / 5
Strong Performer—Fourth in Mississippi
Winston County scores 70.0, exceeding the state average of 67.5 by 2.5 points and ranking fourth among Mississippi's counties in this assessment. This consistent above-average performance identifies the county as one of the state's most livable options.
3 / 5
Balanced Strength in Costs, Taxes, and Risk
Winston County offers a cost score of 87.1 with median home value of $121,200 and lowest monthly rent at $654 among this cohort. Tax score of 84.1 (effective rate: 0.648%) and risk score of 60.1 round out a well-balanced profile emphasizing affordability and stability.
4 / 5
Income and Health Need Attention
The income score of 15.4, while better than the lowest-performing counties, still reflects median household income of $49,071—below state and national medians. Health score of 54.8 similarly indicates room for improvement in community wellness and healthcare access.
5 / 5
Solid Middle-Ground for Value Seekers
Winston County suits families earning $45,000–$55,000 who want affordable housing, fair taxes, and community stability without sacrificing too much economic opportunity. It represents a practical compromise between cost minimization and access to moderate-wage employment.
Winston County scores 70.0 on the composite index, significantly above the national median of 50.0 and placing it near the 40th percentile nationally. This performance reflects a county with genuine livability advantages and balanced strengths.
Strong Performer—Fourth in Mississippi
Winston County scores 70.0, exceeding the state average of 67.5 by 2.5 points and ranking fourth among Mississippi's counties in this assessment. This consistent above-average performance identifies the county as one of the state's most livable options.
Balanced Strength in Costs, Taxes, and Risk
Winston County offers a cost score of 87.1 with median home value of $121,200 and lowest monthly rent at $654 among this cohort. Tax score of 84.1 (effective rate: 0.648%) and risk score of 60.1 round out a well-balanced profile emphasizing affordability and stability.
Income and Health Need Attention
The income score of 15.4, while better than the lowest-performing counties, still reflects median household income of $49,071—below state and national medians. Health score of 54.8 similarly indicates room for improvement in community wellness and healthcare access.
Solid Middle-Ground for Value Seekers
Winston County suits families earning $45,000–$55,000 who want affordable housing, fair taxes, and community stability without sacrificing too much economic opportunity. It represents a practical compromise between cost minimization and access to moderate-wage employment.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Winston County's effective tax rate of 0.648% is about 70% of the national median of 0.92%, delivering substantial tax savings to homeowners. The median annual property tax of $785 represents just 29% of the national median of $2,690.
Below Mississippi average, middling statewide
Winston County's 0.648% effective rate runs below Mississippi's state average of 0.743%, placing it in the lower-middle tier among the state's 82 counties. It outperforms Warren, Washington, Wilkinson, Walthall, and Wayne while trailing Union and Webster.
Favorable rates compared to high-tax neighbors
Winston County's 0.648% rate sits comfortably between the lowest-tax pair—Union (0.576%) and Webster (0.574%)—and the higher-tax counties like Warren (0.855%) and Wilkinson (0.862%). It offers a balanced middle ground for regional homeowners.
Median Winston home: $785 annual tax bill
A median Winston County home valued at $121,200 generates $785 in annual property taxes, placing it firmly in the middle-to-lower range among the eight counties. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $1,005; without, it drops to $656.
Review assessment to maximize value
Winston County's moderate effective rate and home values make accurate assessments important for homeowner affordability. Check your assessment notice, verify it against recent comparable sales in your community, and file an appeal if your assessed value appears inflated.
Winston County renters spend 16.0% of income on rent, meaningfully below the national affordability standard and among the nation's better housing markets. With median household income at $49,071 supporting median rent of $654, housing remains accessible for working families.
Among Mississippi's most affordable
Winston County's 16.0% rent-to-income ratio beats the Mississippi state average of 19.6%, ranking it among the state's best-positioned counties for housing affordability. At $654 median rent, it undercuts the state median of $782 while maintaining stable local incomes.
Strong performer across the region
Winston County's 16.0% burden outperforms all peer counties except Webster (12.4%), matching or beating Union (19.2%), Warren (18.8%), and dramatically surpassing Washington (23.5%) and Wayne (25.6%). The region's second-strongest affordability position.
Balanced tenure options for families
Homeowners in Winston pay $638 monthly versus renters at $654—nearly identical, with median home value at $121,200. With median household income at $49,071, housing costs consume just 16% of household budgets, leaving substantial room for other essential expenses.
Winston: accessible housing for working families
Families comparing Winston to higher-burden counties like Union (19.2%) or Warren (18.8%) will find notably easier housing payments relative to income. With strong affordability just behind Webster County, Winston offers a compelling relocation option for budget-conscious Mississippi movers.
Winston County's median household income of $49,071 edges out Mississippi's state average of $48,514 by less than 1%, but lags the national median of $74,755 by 34%. This middling position reflects a below-average but not severely distressed local economy.
Solid middle position statewide
Winston County ranks around the 50th percentile of Mississippi's 82 counties, with roughly equal numbers earning more and less. This central position reflects typical rural Mississippi economic conditions without extreme disadvantage or advantage.
Middle income among eight peer counties
Winston County's $49,071 sits between the higher earners (Union, Warren, Webster) and the struggling counties (Washington, Wayne, Wilkinson), with Walthall County ($45,444) just below. The $10,000+ spread to Webster County signals opportunities for economic development.
Housing remains reasonably affordable
Winston County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.0% is among the best in this group, allowing households to direct more resources beyond housing costs. The median home value of $121,200 is accessible relative to local income, supporting stable homeownership.
Steady income supports incremental wealth-building
Winston County's modest-but-stable income provides a foundation for consistent savings and investment, starting with employer retirement benefits if available. Focus on regular contributions to low-cost index funds or savings accounts to build long-term financial security.
Winston County approaches national life expectancy
At 72.3 years, Winston County's life expectancy is among the highest in the peer group and approaches Mississippi's state average—though it still trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 4.1 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 26.9% exceeds the national average of 18%, indicating room for improvement.
Above average on longevity, strong on mental health
Winston County's life expectancy of 72.3 years exceeds Mississippi's state average of 70.9 years by 1.4 years, placing it among the state's better-performing counties. With 201 mental health providers per 100K, it offers strong behavioral health access relative to most peer counties.
Strong mental health, limited primary care
Winston County offers 28 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest among all neighbors—but compensates with 201 mental health providers, making it strong in behavioral care. This imbalance suggests Winston excels in mental health while potentially struggling with basic primary care access.
Good coverage, but primary care is the bottleneck
Winston County's uninsured rate of 13.9% matches the state average exactly, meaning most residents have coverage. However, with only 28 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest in the region—access to routine and preventive care remains a critical challenge.
Coverage helps—now find a primary care provider
Most Winston County residents have insurance, but scheduling with a primary care provider can be difficult due to limited supply. If uninsured, visit healthcare.gov; if insured, ask your provider about telehealth or care coordination options.
Winston County's composite risk score of 39.89 earns a very low rating, placing it below Mississippi's state average of 50.94. While the county faces some natural hazards, its overall risk profile remains manageable compared to state peers.
Below-average risk in Mississippi
Winston County ranks in the safer tier of Mississippi's 82 counties for natural disaster risk, with its 39.89 score comfortably below the state median. This positions Winston among the state's more protected counties.
Safer than Union, riskier than Webster
Winston County's risk profile sits between its neighbors: Union County (43.51) faces moderately higher hazards, while Webster County (12.60) ranks as the state's safest. This middle positioning makes Winston a relatively safe area regionally.
Tornadoes and hurricanes lead threats
Winston County residents face elevated tornado risk (79.17) as the primary concern, followed by notable hurricane exposure (72.55) and moderate earthquake risk (68.48). Wildfire (35.53) and flood (22.23) risks remain secondary and manageable.
Tornado and wind coverage essential
Winston County homeowners should ensure their policies include strong tornado and wind protection given the 79.17 tornado risk score. Verify comprehensive coverage for hail and storm damage, and consider a windstorm policy if standard homeowners coverage limits wind exposure given the 72.55 hurricane risk.