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Jones County

MS · Pop. 66,839 · Suburban County

72/100Homestead Score

Jones County sits in Mississippi across 695 square miles, home to 66,839 people at 96.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, wheat. A median home price of $127,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.88% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 247-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F and average winter lows of 36.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 56.6 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. South Central Regional Medical Center is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.8% 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.

Property Tax: 0.88%
Growing Season: 247 days
Broadband: 98.8%
Density: 96.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 247-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.88% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $127,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • South Central Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5 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.
  • A poverty rate of 20.8% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
72/100
Median home price
$127k
Property tax
0.88%
Growing season
247 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
56.6"
Broadband
98.8%
Nearest hospital
South Central Regional Medical Center, 5 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.88%
Median Household Income$51,143
Poverty Rate20.8%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$127K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season247 days
Annual Rainfall56.6 inches
Avg Summer High90.7°F
Avg Winter Low36.9°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Wheat

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought6/10
Wildfire8/10
Tornado10/10
Flood8/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSouth Central Regional Medical Center (5 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.1%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Jones County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Jones County?
Jones County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 247-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.7°F, and average winter lows of 36.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, wheat.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $127,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.88%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
South Central Regional Medical Center is 5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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.