Hancock
Mississippi

What stands out

Against every county in America, Hancock County is unusual in three ways: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (325 Mbps), the average temperature is in the top 5% of American counties (69°F), and the overdose death rate is in the top 6% of American counties (39 per 100,000). Within Mississippi it ranks 3rd of 82 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Hancock County, Mississippi. 46,010 people live here with you. The population grew 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +255).

Mississippi exempts all retirement income from its income tax, which is a flat 4% on income over $10,000 for 2026 and is scheduled to be eliminated over the coming decade. Home prices and overall cost of living are the lowest in the country. The state also ranks last or near last on health, income and school measures, and the Gulf coast carries hurricane exposure.

Money

The typical household here brings in $63,623 a year, higher than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,168. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 71% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Mississippi takes 3.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,145 a year.

Home

The median home costs $239K, pricier than 52% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $936 a month. Property tax is 0.80% of home value, roughly $1,572 a year on that median home, lower than 56% of American counties. 81% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 60% 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 75.5 years, shorter than 54% of American counties. There are 43 active physicians in the county, about 9.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 11.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 51% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 61 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 56% of eligible voters turned out. Under Mississippi 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 69°F, highs near 79 and lows near 59, warmer than 95% of American counties. About 55 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 88 out of 100, riskier than 88% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 325 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.