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Monroe County

MS · Pop. 33,928 · Suburban County

85/100Homestead Score

Monroe County, Mississippi covers 765 square miles with a population of 33,928 and a density of 44.4 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, cotton, hay. The median home price is $115,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.75%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 226-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F and average winter lows of 33.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Monroe Regional Hospital is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.75%
Growing Season: 226 days
Broadband: 98.4%
Density: 44.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 226-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.75% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $115,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Monroe Regional Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

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.
  • Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.

At a glance

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

Homestead score
85/100
Median home price
$115k
Property tax
0.75%
Growing season
226 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
54.1"
Broadband
98.4%
Nearest hospital
Monroe Regional Hospital, 5.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.75%
Median Household Income$51,231
Poverty Rate16.7%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$115K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season226 days
Annual Rainfall54.1 inches
Avg Summer High90.1°F
Avg Winter Low33.2°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Cotton, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought8/10
Wildfire4/10
Tornado9/10
Flood6/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMonroe Regional Hospital (5.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.7%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Monroe County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Monroe County?
Monroe County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 226-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.1°F, and average winter lows of 33.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, cotton, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $115,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.75%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Monroe Regional Hospital is 5.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Monroe 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.