Lamar
Mississippi

What stands out

If you had to describe Lamar County in numbers, start here: the share working from home is in the bottom 8% of American counties (3%), home internet speed is in the top 8% of American counties (288 Mbps), and the average temperature is in the top 8% of American counties (68°F). Within Mississippi it ranks 43rd of 82 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lamar County, Mississippi. 64,425 people live here with you. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +171).

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 $67,972 a year, higher than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,276. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 64% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Mississippi takes 3.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,319 a year.

Home

The median home costs $268K, pricier than 61% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,021 a month. Property tax is 0.67% of home value, roughly $1,406 a year on that median home, lower than 69% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 70% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.1 years, longer than 77% of American counties. There are 420 active physicians in the county, about 65.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 11.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.33 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 89% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 61% 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 80 and lows near 56, warmer than 92% of American counties. About 51 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 77 out of 100, riskier than 77% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 288 Mbps down, faster than 92% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.