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Hinds County

MS · Pop. 222,494 · Mixed County

46/100Homestead Score

Hinds County sits in Mississippi across 870 square miles, home to 222,494 people at 255.7 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, hay, corn. The median home price is $151,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.92%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 224-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.6°F and average winter lows of 35.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Merit Health Central is 12.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.92%
Growing Season: 224 days
Broadband: 97.3%
Density: 255.7/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 224-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.92% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $151,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.9% reflects a stable local job base.

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 21.6% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • At 255.7 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Hinds County, MS is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
46/100
Median home price
$151k
Property tax
0.92%
Growing season
224 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
57.3"
Broadband
97.3%
Nearest hospital
Merit Health Central, 12.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.92%
Median Household Income$49,966
Poverty Rate21.6%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$151K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season224 days
Annual Rainfall57.3 inches
Avg Summer High92.6°F
Avg Winter Low35.2°F
Top CropsCotton, Hay, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMerit Health Central (12.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities8

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage97.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.9%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Hinds County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Hinds County?
Hinds County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 224-day growing season, average summer highs of 92.6°F, and average winter lows of 35.2°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $151,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.92%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 97.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Merit Health Central is 12.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 8 hospitals in the county.

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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.