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Bolivar County

MS · Pop. 30,163 · Suburban County

80/100Homestead Score

Bolivar County, Mississippi covers 877 square miles with a population of 30,163 and a density of 34.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, rice, corn. A median home price of $124,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.78% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 33.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.8 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Bolivar Medical Center is 10.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.78%
Growing Season: 242 days
Broadband: 94.5%
Density: 34.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 242-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.78% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $124,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Bolivar Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 10.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 33.7% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Bolivar County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
80/100
Median home price
$124k
Property tax
0.78%
Growing season
242 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
54.8"
Broadband
94.5%
Nearest hospital
Bolivar Medical Center, 10.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.78%
Median Household Income$37,315
Poverty Rate33.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$124K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season242 days
Annual Rainfall54.8 inches
Avg Summer High91.5°F
Avg Winter Low33.8°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Rice, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire2/10
Tornado9/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBolivar Medical Center (10.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage94.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Bolivar County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Bolivar County?
Bolivar County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 242-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 33.8°F. The established crops are soybeans, rice, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $124,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.78%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Bolivar Medical Center is 10.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

Explore Mississippi Resources

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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.