Pearl River
Mississippi

What stands out

What stands out about Pearl River County: the average commute is in the top 3% of American counties (33 minutes), the overdose death rate is in the top 4% of American counties (45 per 100,000), and home internet speed is in the top 6% of American counties (296 Mbps). Within Mississippi it ranks 4th of 36 counties for the average commute.

Where you are

You live in Pearl River County, Mississippi. 56,351 people live here with you. The population grew 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +879).

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 $54,220 a year, lower than 69% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,138. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 66% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 33 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 3.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,769 a year.

Home

The median home costs $200K, cheaper than 63% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $872 a month. Property tax is 0.69% of home value, roughly $1,153 a year on that median home, lower than 67% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 52% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 45 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.3 years, shorter than 92% of American counties. There are 33 active physicians in the county, about 5.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 13.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.96 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 64% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 67 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 56% 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 69°F, highs near 80 and lows near 58, warmer than 94% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 90 out of 100, riskier than 90% of American counties; the county has had 37 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 296 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.