Jackson County
MS · Pop. 144,437 · Mixed County
Jackson County, Mississippi covers 723 square miles with a population of 144,437 and a density of 199.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $182,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.73%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 262-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F and average winter lows of 41°F. Annual rainfall averages 72.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Singing River Health System is 7.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 262-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.73% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $182,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Singing River Health System, with an emergency room, is just 7.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- 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.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Jackson County, MS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 55/100
- Median home price
- $182k
- Property tax
- 0.73%
- Growing season
- 262 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 72.6"
- Broadband
- 99.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Singing River Health System, 7.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Jackson County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Jackson County?
- Jackson County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 262-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F, and average winter lows of 41°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $182,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.73%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Singing River Health System is 7.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Jackson 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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