Best counties to live in Mississippi

Written by:
April 8, 2024
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

Best counties to live in Mississippi

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Mississippi using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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#30. Simpson County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 1,170
- Population: 25,889
- Median household income: $50,867
- Median home value: $104,600 (81% own)
- Median rent: $793 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Simpson Central School (grade B minus), Mendenhall Elementary School (grade B minus), Magee Middle School (grade C+)
- Top private schools: Simpson County Academy (grade B minus), Victory Christian School (grade unavailable), Five County Child Development Program, Inc. - Magee (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Magee (grade B minus), Mendenhall (grade B minus), Braxton (grade C+)

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#29. Copiah County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 1,036
- Population: 28,210
- Median household income: $46,889
- Median home value: $93,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $696 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Wesson Attendance Center (grade B), Crystal Springs Elementary School (grade B minus), Crystal Springs Middle School (grade C+)
- Top private schools: Copiah Educational Foundation (grade C+)
- Top places: Crystal Springs (grade B minus), Hazlehurst (grade B minus), Beauregard (grade B minus)

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#28. Alcorn County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 1,035
- Population: 34,717
- Median household income: $47,716
- Median home value: $125,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $700 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Kossuth Elementary School (grade A minus), Corinth Middle School (grade A minus), Kossuth High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Wheeler Grove Learning Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Corinth (grade B), Farmington (grade B minus), Kossuth (grade B+)

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#27. Warren County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 992
- Population: 44,341
- Median household income: $54,117
- Median home value: $142,100 (72% own)
- Median rent: $874 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Bovina Elementary School (grade B+), Redwood Elementary School (grade B), Bowmar Avenue Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Vicksburg Catholic School (grade B), St. Francis Xavier Elementary - Vicksburg Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Beechwood (grade B+), Vicksburg (grade B minus)

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#26. Choctaw County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 988
- Population: 8,208
- Median household income: $41,887
- Median home value: $104,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $649 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Ackerman Elementary School (grade A minus), French Camp Elementary School (grade A minus), Choctaw County High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: French Camp Academy (grade C+)
- Top places: French Camp (grade A minus), Ackerman (grade B minus), Weir (grade C+)

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#25. Prentiss County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 950
- Population: 24,945
- Median household income: $51,578
- Median home value: $112,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $656 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Anderson Elementary School (grade A), Booneville-R.H. Long Middle School (grade A), New Site High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Booneville (grade B+), Jumpertown (grade B), Marietta (grade B)

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#24. Pontotoc County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 929
- Population: 31,202
- Median household income: $54,414
- Median home value: $136,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $820 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: D.T. Cox Elementary School (grade A), Pontotoc Junior High School (grade A minus), South Pontotoc Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Pontotoc (grade B+), Thaxton (grade B+), Ecru (grade B+)

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#23. Winston County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 812
- Population: 17,741
- Median household income: $45,516
- Median home value: $110,100 (71% own)
- Median rent: $622 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Fair Elementary School (grade A), Nanih Waiya Attendance Center (grade A), Noxapater Attendance Center (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Winston Academy (grade B), Grace Christian School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Louisville (grade B), Noxapater (grade B+)

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#22. Hancock County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 800
- Population: 46,010
- Median household income: $63,623
- Median home value: $197,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $956 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: East Hancock Elementary School (grade A minus), North Bay Elementary School (grade A minus), Bay Waveland Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Saint Stanislaus High School (grade A), Our Lady Academy (grade A minus), Holy Trinity Catholic School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Bay St. Louis (grade A minus), Diamondhead (grade B+), Waveland (grade B+)

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#21. Webster County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 784
- Population: 9,942
- Median household income: $55,657
- Median home value: $107,700 (78% own)
- Median rent: $626 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Eupora Elementary School (grade B+), East Webster Elementary School (grade B+), Eupora High School (grade B)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Mathiston (grade B+), Eupora (grade B), Mantee (grade B)

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#20. Lincoln County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 746
- Population: 34,855
- Median household income: $47,069
- Median home value: $128,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $705 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Mississippi School of the Arts (grade A minus), West Lincoln High School (grade A minus), Bogue Chitto School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Brookhaven Academy Educational Foundation (grade B minus), Easthaven Christian Childcare & Kindergarten (grade unavailable), Faith Presbyterian Kindergarten (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Brookhaven (grade B minus), Bogue Chitto (grade D+)

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#19. Union County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 696
- Population: 27,880
- Median household income: $55,970
- Median home value: $144,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $855 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: New Albany Elementary School (grade A), East Union Attendance Center (grade A minus), New Albany Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Victory Christian Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: New Albany (grade A minus), Blue Springs (grade A), Myrtle (grade B minus)

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#18. Franklin County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 591
- Population: 7,690
- Median household income: $43,942
- Median home value: $96,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $697 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Franklin Lower Elementary School (grade A minus), Franklin County Middle School (grade B+), Franklin Upper Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Meadville (grade B+), Roxie (grade B), Bude (grade B minus)

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#17. Lauderdale County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 554
- Population: 72,741
- Median household income: $45,649
- Median home value: $121,900 (63% own)
- Median rent: $865 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: West Lauderdale Middle School (grade A), West Lauderdale High School (grade A minus), Clarkdale Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lamar School (grade A), Russell Christian Academy (grade A minus), The Pentecostal Christian Academy (grade B minus)
- Top places: Marion (grade B), Nellieburg (grade B minus), Meridian (grade C)

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#16. Hinds County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 493
- Population: 226,541
- Median household income: $48,596
- Median home value: $141,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,004 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Clinton Junior High School (grade A+), Northside Elementary School (grade A+), Eastside Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Jackson Academy (grade A), Mt. Salus Christian School (grade A), Clinton Christian Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Clinton (grade A+), Raymond (grade A), Byram (grade B+)

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#15. Grenada County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 483
- Population: 21,474
- Median household income: $45,745
- Median home value: $130,100 (68% own)
- Median rent: $773 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Grenada Elementary School (grade A minus), Grenada High School (grade A minus), Grenada Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Kirk Academy (grade B minus)
- Top places: Grenada (grade B+), Holcomb (grade B minus), Elliott (grade C+)

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#14. Newton County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 433
- Population: 21,275
- Median household income: $49,160
- Median home value: $100,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $684 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton County Elementary School (grade A), Union Elementary School (grade A), Union Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Newton County Academy (grade C minus)
- Top places: Newton (grade B minus), Decatur (grade B+), Union (grade B)

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#13. Jackson County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 389
- Population: 143,721
- Median household income: $60,045
- Median home value: $161,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,001 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Ocean Springs Middle School (grade A), Pecan Park Elementary School (grade A), Ocean Springs High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Resurrection Catholic School - High School Campus (grade B), Resurrection Catholic School - Elementary Campus (grade unavailable), St. Alphonsus School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ocean Springs (grade A+), Gulf Hills (grade A), Gulf Park Estates (grade A minus)

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#12. Jones County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 371
- Population: 67,152
- Median household income: $49,451
- Median home value: $120,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $779 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Glade Elementary (grade A minus), North Jones Elementary School (grade A minus), West Jones Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Laurel Christian School (grade B+), St. John's Day School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Ellisville (grade B), Laurel (grade C+), Soso (grade B+)

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#11. Neshoba County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 366
- Population: 28,970
- Median household income: $47,400
- Median home value: $94,300 (72% own)
- Median rent: $756 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Neshoba Central Elementary School (grade A), Neshoba Central Middle School (grade A), Neshoba Central High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools:
- Top places: Philadelphia (grade B+), Pearl River (grade B), Tucker (grade C+)

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#10. Lowndes County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 349
- Population: 58,547
- Median household income: $53,687
- Median home value: $155,300 (62% own)
- Median rent: $903 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (grade A+), Caledonia Elementary School (grade A), Caledonia Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Heritage Academy (grade A minus), Columbus Christian Academy (grade B), Victory Christian Academy (grade C)
- Top places: New Hope (grade A minus), Columbus (grade B minus), Caledonia (grade A minus)

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#9. Harrison County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 302
- Population: 208,748
- Median household income: $55,211
- Median home value: $185,000 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,034 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: North Bay Elementary School (grade A+), Biloxi Upper Elementary (grade A+), Popp's Ferry Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Patrick Catholic High School (grade A), Christian Collegiate Academy (grade A minus), Coast Episcopal School (grade A)
- Top places: Pass Christian (grade A), Biloxi (grade A minus), Long Beach (grade A minus)

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#8. DeSoto County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 255
- Population: 186,214
- Median household income: $79,666
- Median home value: $227,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,252 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Lewisburg High School (grade A), Hernando Middle School (grade A), Lewisburg Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Northpoint Christian School (grade A minus), Desoto Christian Academy (grade B minus), Sacred Heart School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Olive Branch (grade A), Hernando (grade A minus), Southaven (grade A minus)

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#7. Lamar County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 206
- Population: 64,425
- Median household income: $67,972
- Median home value: $209,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,034 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Longleaf Elementary School (grade A), Oak Grove High School (grade A), Sumrall Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Bass Memorial Academy (grade A minus), Lamar Christian School (grade B minus), Benedict Day School (grade A)
- Top places: West Hattiesburg (grade B+), Arnold Line (grade B+), Sumrall (grade B+)

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#6. Lee County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 189
- Population: 83,343
- Median household income: $64,479
- Median home value: $172,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $898 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Rankin Elementary School (grade A), Tupelo Middle School (grade A), Milam Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Tupelo Christian Preparatory School (grade A minus), Lakeview Baptist Academy (grade C+), Tupelo Children's Mansion (grade C minus)
- Top places: Tupelo (grade A), Saltillo (grade B+), Shannon (grade B minus)

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#5. Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 175
- Population: 51,388
- Median household income: $42,953
- Median home value: $211,200 (47% own)
- Median rent: $880 (53% rent)
- Top public schools: Overstreet Elementary School (grade B+), West Elementary School (grade B), Henderson/Ward-Stewart Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Starkville Academy (grade B), Starkville Christian School (grade B minus), Child Development and Family Studies Center (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Starkville (grade B+), Maben (grade B minus), Sturgis (grade C+)

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#4. Forrest County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 163
- Population: 77,917
- Median household income: $49,340
- Median home value: $144,000 (56% own)
- Median rent: $911 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Petal Middle School (grade A+), Petal Elementary School (grade A+), Petal Upper Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Sacred Heart Catholic School (grade A), Presbyterian Christian School (grade A minus), Central Baptist School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Petal (grade A), Hattiesburg (grade B+), Glendale (grade B+)

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#3. Rankin County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 142
- Population: 157,185
- Median household income: $76,460
- Median home value: $203,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,177 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Brandon Elementary School (grade A), Brandon Middle School (grade A), Northwest Rankin Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Jackson Preparatory School (grade A+), The Piney Woods School (grade B+), Park Place Christian Academy (grade C)
- Top places: Flowood (grade A+), Brandon (grade A), Pearl (grade A)

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#2. Lafayette County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 28
- Population: 56,172
- Median household income: $59,748
- Median home value: $242,800 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,092 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Central Elementary School (grade A), Oxford Middle School (grade A), Oxford Intermediate School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Regents School of Oxford (grade B minus), The University Of Mississippi High School (grade unavailable), Willie Price Lab School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Oxford (grade A+), Taylor (grade A), Abbeville (grade B+)

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#1. Madison County, Mississippi

- Overall Rank: 18
- Population: 109,257
- Median household income: $79,105
- Median home value: $264,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,062 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Madison Middle School (grade A), Madison Station Elementary School (grade A), Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Andrew's Episcopal School (grade A+), St. Joseph Catholic School (grade A), Madison-Ridgeland Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Madison (grade A+), Ridgeland (grade A+), Canton (grade C)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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