Panola
Mississippi

What stands out

Against every county in America, Panola County is unusual in three ways: life expectancy is in the bottom 10% of American counties (71.7 years), home internet speed is in the top 12% of American counties (279 Mbps), and high-school completion is in the bottom 13% of American counties (82%). Within Mississippi it ranks 37th of 81 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Panola County, Mississippi. 33,157 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +151).

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 $47,894 a year, lower than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,195. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 84% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 25 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 3.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,516 a year.

Home

The median home costs $186K, cheaper than 69% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $791 a month. Property tax is 0.76% of home value, roughly $878 a year on that median home, lower than 59% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.7 years, shorter than 90% of American counties. There are 16 active physicians in the county, about 4.8 per 10,000 people. 12.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 60% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 17 points. 62% 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 75 and lows near 53, warmer than 80% of American counties. About 51 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 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 279 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.