Marion County
MS · Pop. 24,303 · Suburban County
Marion County sits in Mississippi across 542 square miles, home to 24,303 people at 44.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, melons. A median home price of $117,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.74% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 252-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F and average winter lows of 38.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 61 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Marion General Hospital is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 252-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $117,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Marion General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2 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.
- A poverty rate of 20.4% 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
Marion County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 91/100
- Median home price
- $117k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 252 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 61"
- Broadband
- 96.9%
- Nearest hospital
- Marion General Hospital, 2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marion County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marion County?
- Marion County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 252-day growing season, average summer highs of 91.5°F, and average winter lows of 38.3°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, melons.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $117,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Marion General Hospital is 2 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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AcreTrader
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Marion 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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