Lamar County
MS · Pop. 65,081 · Mixed County
Lamar County sits in Mississippi across 497 square miles, home to 65,081 people at 130.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, peppers. The median home price is $219,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.67%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F and average winter lows of 39.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 59.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Merit Health Wesley is 12.1 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, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 263-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.67% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 98.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 59.5 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
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
Lamar County, MS is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 66/100
- Median home price
- $219k
- Property tax
- 0.67%
- Growing season
- 263 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 59.5"
- Broadband
- 98.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Merit Health Wesley, 12.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lamar County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lamar County?
- Lamar County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 263-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F, and average winter lows of 39.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, peppers.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $219,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.67%. 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?
- Merit Health Wesley is 12.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Mississippi Resources
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Lamar 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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