Washington
Mississippi

What stands out

Three things set Washington County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($63K), life expectancy is among the shortest in America (67.4 years), and the median household income is in the bottom 5% of American counties ($38,394). Within Mississippi it ranks 2nd of 80 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Washington County, Mississippi. 44,604 people live here with you. The population shrank 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -516).

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 $38,394 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,446. Unemployment runs 5.8%, higher than 95% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Mississippi takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,136 a year.

Home

The median home costs $63K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $659 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $849 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 76% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 13 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 67.4 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 67 active physicians in the county, about 15.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 12.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.72 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 80% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 31 points. 54% 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 76 and lows near 56, warmer than 85% of American counties. About 54 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 84 out of 100, riskier than 84% of American counties; the county has had 30 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 206 Mbps down, faster than 53% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.