Lee
Mississippi

What stands out

Three things set Lee County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is in the top 7% of American counties (55 inches a year) and life expectancy is in the bottom 15% of American counties (72.4 years). Within Mississippi it ranks 13th of 82 counties for rainfall.

Where you are

You live in Lee County, Mississippi. 83,343 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -164).

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 $64,479 a year, higher than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,183. Unemployment runs 3.3%, lower than 53% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 3.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,179 a year.

Home

The median home costs $209K, cheaper than 59% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $887 a month. Property tax is 0.77% of home value, roughly $1,326 a year on that median home, lower than 58% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.4 years, shorter than 85% of American counties. There are 408 active physicians in the county, about 49.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 12.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.17 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 79% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 40 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 64°F, highs near 74 and lows near 53, warmer than 79% of American counties. About 55 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 79 out of 100, riskier than 79% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 265 Mbps down, faster than 81% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 museums, 3 National Park Service sites.