Best counties to live in 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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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- 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)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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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- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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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- 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+)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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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- 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)

- 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)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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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- 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+)

- 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+)

- 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)

- 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+)

- 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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