Mississippi
Arkansas

What stands out

If you had to describe Mississippi County in numbers, start here: life expectancy is in the bottom 2% of American counties (68.3 years), the median home price is in the bottom 5% of American counties ($115K), and the share working from home is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2%). Within Arkansas it ranks 2nd of 75 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Mississippi County, Arkansas. 40,361 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -173).

Arkansas has been cutting its income tax rates every legislative session since 2015, and the top rate is now well under 4%. Home prices remain among the lowest in the country, especially outside Northwest Arkansas, where Walmart, Tyson and J.B. Hunt have built a fast-growing corporate corridor around Bentonville and Fayetteville. Tornado season is real across the whole state.

Money

The typical household here brings in $50,012 a year, lower than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $72,605. Unemployment runs 5.2%, higher than 91% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

Arkansas takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,771 a year.

Home

The median home costs $115K, cheaper than 95% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $722 a month. Property tax is 0.57% of home value, roughly $624 a year on that median home, lower than 81% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 39 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 68.3 years, shorter than 98% of American counties. There are 20 active physicians in the county, about 5.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 9.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.55 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 92% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 22 points. 41% of eligible voters turned out. Under Arkansas law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 62°F, highs near 72 and lows near 53, warmer than 74% of American counties. About 54 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 89 out of 100, riskier than 89% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 191 Mbps down, slower than 54% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.