Benton County
MS · Pop. 7,592 · Rural County
Benton County is a rural county in Mississippi, spanning 407 square miles with 7,592 residents at a density of 18.7 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, hay, corn. A median home price of $109,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.66% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F and average winter lows of 29.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.1 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Alliance Healthcare System, Inc is 12.4 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 60.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 197-day growing season in USDA zone 7b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.66% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $109,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 18.7 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Broadband reaches only 60.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Alliance Healthcare System, Inc, is 12.4 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Benton County, MS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $109k
- Property tax
- 0.66%
- Growing season
- 197 days (zone 7b)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.1"
- Broadband
- 60.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Alliance Healthcare System, Inc, 12.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Benton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Benton County?
- Benton County is in USDA hardiness zone 7b with a 197-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.3°F, and average winter lows of 29.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $109,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.66%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 60.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Alliance Healthcare System, Inc is 12.4 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Mississippi Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Benton County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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