Kemper County
MS · Pop. 8,855 · Rural County
Kemper County is a rural county in Mississippi, spanning 766 square miles with 8,855 residents at a density of 11.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. The median home price is $90,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.6%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 230-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F and average winter lows of 36.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 57.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 230-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.6% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $90,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- A poverty rate of 24.6% 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 11.6 people per square mile, services, labor, and suppliers are spread thin.
At a glance
Kemper County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 100/100
- Median home price
- $90k
- Property tax
- 0.6%
- Growing season
- 230 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 57.2"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital, 3.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Kemper County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Kemper County?
- Kemper County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 230-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.1°F, and average winter lows of 36.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $90,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.6%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital is 3.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Mississippi
All Mississippi countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Kemper 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.