Hinds
Mississippi

What stands out

Three things set Hinds County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the bottom 6% of American counties (58%), natural-hazard risk is in the top 7% of American counties (93 of 100), and population growth is in the bottom 7% of American counties (-1.2% a year). Within Mississippi it ranks 11th of 82 counties for homeownership, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hinds County, Mississippi. 226,541 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -3,581).

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 $48,596 a year, lower than 82% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $59,413. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 68% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 3.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,544 a year.

Home

The median home costs $135K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $998 a month. Property tax is 0.95% of home value, roughly $1,350 a year on that median home, higher than 57% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 55% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.9 years, shorter than 89% of American counties. There are 1,786 active physicians in the county, about 78.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.6 of 5 stars. 13.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.72 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 86% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 40 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% 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 68°F, highs near 79 and lows near 56, warmer than 91% of American counties. About 50 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 93 out of 100, riskier than 93% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 246 Mbps down, faster than 72% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 8 museums, 1 National Park Service site.