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Chickasaw County

MS · Pop. 16,994 · Suburban County

89/100Homestead Score

Chickasaw County, Mississippi covers 502 square miles with a population of 16,994 and a density of 33.9 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, hay, sweet potatoes. A median home price of $100,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.74% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F and average winter lows of 30.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 58.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Trace Regional Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.74%
Growing Season: 199 days
Broadband: 97.2%
Density: 33.9/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 199-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $100,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Trace Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • A poverty rate of 24.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
89/100
Median home price
$100k
Property tax
0.74%
Growing season
199 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
58.4"
Broadband
97.2%
Nearest hospital
Trace Regional Hospital, 3.5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.74%
Median Household Income$43,041
Poverty Rate24.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$100K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season199 days
Annual Rainfall58.4 inches
Avg Summer High88.8°F
Avg Winter Low30.6°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Hay, Sweet potatoes

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado8/10
Flood3/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalTrace Regional Hospital (3.5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.9%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Chickasaw County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Chickasaw County?
Chickasaw County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 199-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.8°F, and average winter lows of 30.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, sweet potatoes.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $100,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Trace Regional Hospital is 3.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Chickasaw 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.