Lauderdale
Mississippi

What stands out

Against every county in America, Lauderdale County is unusual in three ways: the median home price is in the bottom 9% of American counties ($131K), life expectancy is in the bottom 10% of American counties (71.6 years), and home internet speed is in the top 11% of American counties (280 Mbps). Within Mississippi it ranks 24th of 80 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. 72,741 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -610).

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 $45,649 a year, lower than 87% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,153. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 71% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Mississippi takes 3.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,426 a year.

Home

The median home costs $131K, cheaper than 91% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $798 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $1,111 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 63% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 51% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.6 years, shorter than 90% of American counties. There are 252 active physicians in the county, about 34.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.5 of 5 stars. 12.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.82 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 70% of American counties. 84% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 25 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 66°F, highs near 78 and lows near 54, warmer than 85% of American counties. About 48 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 86 out of 100, riskier than 86% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 280 Mbps down, faster than 89% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 4 museums.