Leake County
MS · Pop. 21,288 · Suburban County
Leake County sits in Mississippi across 583 square miles, home to 21,288 people at 36.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, cotton, haylage. The median home price is $115,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F and average winter lows of 33.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baptist Medical Center Leake is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 87.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.68% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $115,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Baptist Medical Center Leake, with an emergency room, is just 1.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.4% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 19.9% 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
Leake County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 84/100
- Median home price
- $115k
- Property tax
- 0.68%
- Growing season
- 215 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.7"
- Broadband
- 87.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Baptist Medical Center Leake, 1.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Leake County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Leake County?
- Leake County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F, and average winter lows of 33.5°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $115,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.68%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 87.5% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baptist Medical Center Leake is 1.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital 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 Leake 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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