Panola County
MS · Pop. 32,965 · Suburban County
Panola County, Mississippi covers 685 square miles with a population of 32,965 and a density of 48.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, hay. A median home price of $122,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.77% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 214-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F and average winter lows of 31.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Panola Medical Center is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 214-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.77% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $122,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Panola Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 4.9 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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 24.1% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Panola County, MS is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $122k
- Property tax
- 0.77%
- Growing season
- 214 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.7"
- Broadband
- 94.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Panola Medical Center, 4.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Panola County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Panola County?
- Panola County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 214-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F, and average winter lows of 31.9°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $122,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.77%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Panola Medical Center is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Mississippi
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The closest counties to Panola 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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