Holmes
Mississippi

What stands out

What stands out about Holmes County: the restaurant count per person is among the fewest in America (0.2 per 1,000), the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($80K), and the typical two-bedroom rent is among the lowest in America ($393 a month). Within Mississippi it ranks 3rd of 68 counties for the restaurant count per person, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Holmes County, Mississippi. 16,848 people live here with you. The population shrank 2.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -262).

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 $28,818 a year, lower than 98% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,381. Unemployment runs 6.6%, higher than 98% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 35 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 2.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $753 a year.

Home

The median home costs $80K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $393 a month. Property tax is 0.97% of home value, roughly $719 a year on that median home, higher than 58% of American counties. 62% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 94% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 67.2 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 6.5 per 10,000 people. 12.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.49 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 96% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 56 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 63% 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 67°F, highs near 77 and lows near 57, warmer than 89% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 30 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 184 Mbps down, slower than 57% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.2 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.