Lafayette
Mississippi

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lafayette County is unusual in three ways: the school test score is in the top 4% of American counties (3.53 where 3.0 is grade level), rainfall is in the top 12% of American counties (53 inches a year), and the restaurant count per person is in the top 13% of American counties (1.1 per 1,000). Within Mississippi it ranks 2nd of 81 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Lafayette County, Mississippi. 56,172 people live here with you. The population grew 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +414).

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 $59,748 a year, lower than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,652. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 59% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Mississippi takes 3.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,990 a year.

Home

The median home costs $406K, pricier than 86% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,092 a month. Property tax is 0.65% of home value, roughly $1,567 a year on that median home, lower than 72% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 64% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.4 years, longer than 57% of American counties. There are 212 active physicians in the county, about 37.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 11.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.40 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 96% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 27 points. 55% 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 63°F, highs near 75 and lows near 52, warmer than 78% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 67 out of 100, riskier than 67% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 234 Mbps down, faster than 66% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.